On Friday June 22, Page McConnell joined Vida Blue bandmate Russell Batiste in New Orleans for a surprise sit-in.

Batiste was performing at NOLA’s new Elephant Collective venue, with Orkestra from Da Hood.

McConnell’s appearance was announced by the venue about an hour beforehand, and once he was onstage, Batiste made a formal announcement, saying, “Vida Blue is coming out with another album.”

While there have been many hints at this new Vida Blue release, including photos from the studio and written announcements by frequent collaborators The Spam Allstars, Batiste’s words at the Elephant Collective mark the first time a member of the band has verbally confirmed the project.

As the evening progressed, the band stayed loose, playing originals like Vida Blue’s “Most Events Aren’t Planned” and covers like The Meters’ “Cissy Strut.”

Check out some videos of the evening, via Russel Batsite’s Facebook, below: