2026 Cowboy Block Party Series Starts With Wayne Toups Aug 28

Lake Charles, LA [KNGT-FM] - Football season is almost here, and McNeese fans are getting a musical head start on the excitement. The 2026 Cowboy Block Party series begins Friday, August 28, with Louisiana music legend and Grammy Award winner Wayne Toups taking the stage in Lake Charles.

Photo by Mike Soileau TSM

Wayne Toups is scheduled to perform at the first Block Party of the year ahead of McNeese's season opener against Stephen F. Austin on Saturday, August 29. McNeese's official schedule lists that game for 6 p.m. at Navarre Stadium.

Get our free mobile app

The opening block party will have a change of scenery this year. Rather than taking place outdoors at the Grove/Alumni Center grounds, Friday's celebration will move inside Townsley Law Arena, giving fans an air-conditioned setting to kick off the football season.

Read More: 2026 McNeese Football Season Schedule

Doors are scheduled to open at 6 p.m., with Toups set to perform at 7:30 p.m. His official tour schedule also confirms the August 28 McNeese appearance.

2013 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Music Festival - Day 1

Best of all, admission is free, and fans can bring their own drinks. So stock up your ice chest, bring your lawn chairs, and get ready for a good time every Friday night the block party takes place.

The remaining Cowboy Block Parties will return to the outdoor setting near McNeese and Common streets, continuing the tradition of pairing Friday-night live music with Saturday football.

2026 Cowboy Block Party Lineup

August 28th, 2026 -- Wayne Toups (Inside The Legacy Center)
September 4th, 2026 -- The Flamethrowers
September 11th, 2026 -- Chee Weez
September 25th, 2026 -- Dustin Sonnier
October 30, 2026-- Keith Frank
November 20th, 2026 -- LA ROXX

The 2026 Cowboy Block Party concert series is presented by Lake Charles Toyota, the McNeese Athletic Foundation, and Deep South Productions.

Block Party Stage (Photo by M Soileau)

For McNeese fans, it's the perfect combination: good music, friends, food, drinks, and plenty of Cowboy pride. And with Wayne Toups leading things off, the 2026 season is getting started with a distinctly Louisiana soundtrack.