Harry Connick Jr. will return to his hometown next winter to help usher in the U.S. debut of Rockin’1000, the global music collective that brings together 1,000 musicians for a single, massive live performance. The concert is set for Jan. 31, 2026, at the Caesars Superdome, with Connick serving as special guest artistic director.
New Orleans & Company and Rockin’1000 announced that Connick will curate a special segment of the stadium show highlighting the city’s musical traditions and cultural spirit. His role will include showcasing local musicians and signature New Orleans moments as part of the international production, which features performers from 25 countries.
Rockin’1000, often billed as “the biggest rock band on Earth,” unites guitarists, bassists, drummers, keyboardists and singers of all ages and backgrounds to perform classic rock anthems in unison. The ensemble ranges from children to retirees and includes musicians from a wide range of professions, underscoring the organization’s mission of bringing people together through music.
“Music is food for the soul, and Rockin’1000 feeds it by bringing together people from around the world to play and sing their hearts out,” Connick said in a statement. “What better place for their U.S. debut than my hometown of New Orleans, a city that eats, sleeps and breathes music.”
Connick, a Grammy, Emmy and Tony-nominated artist, began performing professionally in New Orleans as a child and has built a career spanning music, film, television and Broadway. Organizers say his involvement will ensure the city’s unique sound and culture are central to the event.
Fabio Zaffagnini, founder of Rockin’1000, said hosting the group’s first American stadium show in New Orleans carries special significance. “Having a local icon like Harry Connick Jr. join as our artistic director helps ensure the spirit of New Orleans is at the heart of this performance,” Zaffagnini said.
The Rockin’1000 movement began in Italy in 2015 with a viral video aimed at convincing the Foo Fighters to perform in the town of Cesena. It has since grown into a worldwide community of more than 100,000 musicians who have filled stadiums across Europe and beyond.
Walt Leger III, president and CEO of New Orleans & Company, called the concert a milestone for the city’s cultural scene. “Rockin’1000’s U.S. debut in New Orleans will be a once-in-a-lifetime performance,” he said. “It’s a show people will be talking about for decades.”
Tickets for the Jan. 31 concert are on sale now through New Orleans & Company.
