Big Freedia Turns the Masonic Lodge Into a Bounce-Fueled Revival

Big Freedia brought the spirit—and then some—to the historic Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever, transforming the venue’s gothic solemnity into a joyous, bass-thumping sanctuary of movement, music, and memory.

The crowd arrived mellow, lulled by the hushed aura of the cemetery grounds. But that peace didn’t last. Once Freedia hit the stage with her full live band, two backup singers, and a powerhouse crew of dancers, the energy surged like a resurrection. The Queen Diva herself commanded the stage with the authority of a seasoned showwoman and the warmth of a gospel choir director—fitting, as the night would soon prove.

She didn’t just perform for the audience; she activated them. Pulling people up from the crowd to show off their twerking skills, Freedia turned the night into a bounce baptism. Every song hit hard, carried by booming low-end, tight live instrumentation, and vibrant vocals that gave the set depth and dynamism rarely seen in club-driven genres.

But the real heart of the night came when Freedia paused the party. She opened up about her new album, a tribute to her late partner of 20 years and her godmother—an emotional dedication that silenced the room in the best way. Then, without missing a beat, she shifted into a gospel section, honoring her connection to God and the spiritual roots of her music. The crowd, far from thrown by the transition, embraced it. The room pulsed with a different kind of electricity—soulful, sacred, and still alive with movement.

It didn’t take long for Freedia to bring the tempo back up. Closing the night with relentless bounce and an audience ready to dance until the cemetery gates closed, she left no doubt: this wasn’t just a concert. It was a ritual, a release, a reminder that joy and grief can live in the same beat—and that Big Freedia is still the unshakable heart of New Orleans bounce.

Review & Photos by: Zak Sender

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