Tank and The Bangas, Big Freedia, Open NOLA Drive-In Summer Concert Series

An overhead shot of the NOLA Drive-In at the Lakefront Arena parking lot, by promoter Don Kelly

The comfort of live music in New Orleans was the star on Saturday night.

On Friday night, the three-week-long NOLA Drive-In Summer Concert Series kicked off with a show by Tank and The Bangas, with special guest Big Freedia. All three shows sold out in minutes, including upcoming shows by Galactic (July 17) and The Revivalists (July 24). Because of the limited space and the efforts to make the show as safe as possible, there was no room for press or photographers.

Still, the reports on social media said that the show was well-received and a good time, even if the sweltering heat and the distance between cars and people—two parking spaces—muted the energy. People respected the social distancing requirements, so the event sometimes felt more like a collection of tailgate parties with shared entertainment than a concert.

Overall, the reviews were positive. The show was good, but simply being at a concert was great, even if under these circumstances. Here’s a selection of photos tweeted from the show starting with two overhead shots from one of the promoters, Don Kelly.

The Solomon Group posted this video from the front left corner to give you a look at the stage and the crowd. And here’s what it looked like from the parking lot.

Here’s another video with Big Freedia leading Tank and The Bangas in a version of “Power.”