New Orleans is known for its musical innovators and contributions to the art form, but a legacy as storied as this must start somewhere. In another area of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, specifically, a new chapter of the state’s musical legacy is beginning to bubble to an unignorable level. The capital of Louisiana is slowly becoming a hotbed for artistic activity, not in honor of NOLA, but in the pursuit of creating something they can call their own. A scene like this doesn’t thrive without a place to call home, and Chelsea’s has positioned itself to be a haven for new ideas, terrific live music, and the heartbeat of Baton Rouge’s blossoming music scene.
What was once an old warehouse is now a state-of-the-art music venue welcoming acts from the burgeoning hometown scene and national touring musicians alike. The 600-capacity, artist-friendly space provides an intimate setting while ensuring every music fan who walks through its storied doors has a time to remember. With co-owner Aaron Scruggs having his own experience as a touring musician, every corner of Chelsea’s is painstakingly designed with the best live performance in mind, and the achievements reached in their short lifespan speak for themselves.
Glide had the pleasure of asking Scruggs a few questions about Chelsea’s. We discuss the rich history of the space, the current state of the Baton Rouge music scene, and some of the venue’s most memorable moments so far. You can read our conversation below.
Can you talk about the music scene in Baton Rouge? A lot of people might not give it its due credit, given how close it is to New Orleans.
Baton Rouge is a very underrated market. It might not have as many active local bands as comparable markets currently, but the people want and support shows! That’s one of the more interesting parts of the process of the new Chelsea’s. Seeing all demographics supporting shows and events. We are also only 2 miles from the LSU campus, and there are tons of kids wanting to support.
How do you set Chelsea’s apart from the numerous music rooms in New Orleans and still make your venue a destination?
Great question! We try not to worry about other venues or compare ourselves to anyone. Our main focus is artist hospitality and the showgoer experience. Once that standard is set, everything else falls in its place. The main focus for us is friendly staff, cleanliness, accessible free parking for buses, vans, as well as patrons, along with fair pricing all around while booking world-class talent. We also have a great GM in JP Richey, who has a great flow on the bar operations side of things. This is one skill I feel gets overlooked when running a proper music venue.
Are there any relics or keepsakes from the original building that you guys have on display?
Yes! Our historic neon sign that welcomes you upon arrival. It hung for years at the Perkins Overpass location and reeks of nostalgia. We also kept a lot of the original Chelsea’s art and paintings.
How challenging is it to take on the restoration of such a historic space? How did you balance honoring the legacy with making sure the venue is up-to-date and modern?
When we embarked on this project, we were entering the Pandemic stage of 2020. It was a very survival-centric approach, but also understanding that because of science, COVID wouldn’t last forever. In terms of design, we focused first on the stage and artist greenrooms. There aren’t many 600-cap venues in America that offer those amenities that we provide. Having a lengthy touring history, I understood exactly what bands crave while on the road. Those creature comforts are really what separate your venue from the next.
What was it like converting an old warehouse into a state-of-the-art live music venue? What are some of the benefits of working with an older building?
Having a warehouse-style building with bare bones really lets us control the flow and layout of the venue. It’s such a sturdy building as is, mixing old and new was the perfect combination for us. Also, having business partners who have whimsical ideas like myself really helped push us to build it out properly. Shout out to Dave & Grant!
Are there any music venues you attended that inspired your work with Chelsea’s? What pushed you to join the live music business?
Yes! Saturn in Birmingham, AL, is a big inspiration to me, seeing how they converted an old building and provided such epic artist accommodations showed me what was possible. Shoutout to Saturn!
In terms of what pushed me, it’s all I have ever done, been doing it since I was 16 years old.
How does the music scene in Baton Rouge compare to New Orleans? Are there any local bands you’d like to shout out?
Tough to compare the two. New Orleans is iconic; we never want to be them, nor could we be NOLA. Creating our own vibe is what we will always strive to be. In terms of local bands that are gaining traction of late, you have bands like The Bends, Christworm, Baby in the 90s, Blue Widow, Karma & The Killjoys, and so on—more quality over quantity. Blue Widow has also just started their own festival, Psych Fest, which I helped secure LA Witch as the headliner to bring more national attention to it.
Are there any local musicians who would consider Chelsea’s their home? How does your venue interact with the local music scene?
Yes! Many! We have a local music showcase, the Mookie Darden heads up, called The Stew… he is the gatekeeper of the local music scene. Always has his ear to the ground and is relatable to up-and-coming bands. He is also the Lighting Director for Chelsea’s and the frontman for his band, Baby in the 90’s.
Along with national touring musicians, the venue also hosts theme nights like Bingo and your upcoming Emo Night. What is it like balancing the two types of shows, and what can people expect when attending something like Emo Night?
Balance is key, right? Chelsea’s Live was built to be a destination spot for touring bands of all sizes. From up-and-comers to big underplays, the space is built to contain them all. But being realistic, tours aren’t coming through Baton Rouge every day of the week. Theme nights fill that void and provide a party environment for nostalgia fans and supporters who are just looking to turn up, dance, and celebrate each other! We also love to do private events of all types when possible. We like to offer theme nights to all demographics. Our largest theme nights are Emo Night, Latin Night, Bingo Loco, and Safe $ex Worldwide: an R&B night created by local legend Bandeaux Pat. It’s a night for the ladies to come out and feel comfy in a safe and welcoming environment.
Which artists are on your bucket list to host at Chelsea’s Live?
We have already scratched some of those names off the list, but a few realistic ones are below:
Khurangbin
Big Thief
Leon Bridges
Little Simz
Jungle
FKJ
Sierra Ferrell
Anderson. Paak
Knocked Loose
Alice Phoebe Lou
Mac Demarco
King Gizzard
Thundercat
Geese
Freddie Gibbs
Vince Staples
Hiatus Kaiyote
Men I Trust
Loaded Honey
The Tesky Bros
What are some of the most memorable moments since Chelsea’s has been open?
So many great moments! From St.Paul & The Broken Bones, to Cannons, All Them Witches, Kurt Vile, UMO, The Runarounds, Thievery Corporation, Houndmouth, STRFKR, Bright Eyes, Juvie, The Sword, etc. Our favorite shows are watching a band on the rise, and by the time they make it to our stop on the tour, they are really peaking. They have come from being a baby band to a dynamic, mature group of musicians living their dream.
You guys already have a pretty full schedule for 2026, but what else does Chelsea’s have planned for the year? Can you let us in on any exciting happenings around the venue?
So much going on! More tours than ever with artists we never thought were possible. We also hope to expand the venue’s patio sooner rather than later, improve elevated sight lines, and eventually host our own festival.
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