NEW ORLEANS (AP) — It looks like the third time’s the charm as the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is again gearing up for a performance by the Rolling Stones.
The festival, which spans two weekends, began Thursday with dozens of performances daily on 14 stages spread across the historic Fair Grounds Race Course. The Stones play next Thursday, May 2, with tickets sold out well in advance.
In 2019, festival organizers thought they had landed the famous rock band, but the appearance was canceled because lead singer Mick Jagger had heart surgery. They tried again in 2021, but a surge in COVID-19 cases ultimately forced the cancellation of the festival.
Now, says festival producer Quint Davis, “It’s going to be special.”
This would be the first time the Stones would play Jazz Fest.
Inauguration Day acts include rock bands Widespread Panic and The Beach Boys, reggae artist Stephen Marley and jazz singer John Boutte.
“The talent is great, the weather is forecast to be good and people’s expectations will be met,” Davis said.
Blue skies, sunshine and temperatures in the 80s were forecast for opening day Thursday. Long queues of people were seen waiting patiently to buy iced tea, lemonade and large cups of coffee. Umbrellas, large hats and sunglasses were the accessories of the day.
Similar weather was expected for the rest of the first weekend, which runs through Sunday and featured performances by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jon Batiste, country megastar Chris Stapleton, R&B singer Fantasia, rock band Heart, Cajun fiddler Amanda Shaw. and showcases The Cute’s performance. Friends, jazz pianist Patrice Rushen, and blues and folk artist Ruthie Foster.
Walter Agnew of Round Lake, New York, said attending the festival had been on his to-do list since he retired from working at a chemical plant in 2020.
“Covid then canceled my trip but I finally got here for the 2022 festival – and I came last year. This will be my third in a row,” he said.
Agnew said he was looking forward to Stapleton’s performance on Saturday and Heart’s performance on Sunday – and of course The Rolling Stones’ performance next week, but “you really can’t go wrong with either act.”
“I’m amazed at how they’re able to put all this entertainment in one place,” he said. “Of course that would be nice.”
Los Angeles resident Leona Reed was with friends to attend her first Jazz Festival.
“Everyone is friendly,” she said. “I like the fact that there is art there and the artists are there.” He added, “I like the fact that they respect all types of music and you know, that’s what will bring us all together as people.”
New Orleans local Ginger Shell is a regular at the Jazz Festival. Asked why she keeps returning, Shell said with a laugh, “It’s everything. this is music. its food. this is music!”
He said that he and his family would not be able to see The Stones perform next week because tickets were out of their budget.
“But we don’t usually come for any one particular task,” she said. “We just park our stuff in a spot in front of the festival stage and walk across the grounds and wait to be surprised.”
The anticipation for the Stones’ performance is clear, Davis said.
“All I hear is, ‘How do I get a ticket?'” he said of fans trying to see the spectacular performance. “Unfortunately for some people, the tickets that day were sold out just a day and a half after the sale started. I think people have waited a long time for this.”
The Rolling Stones released “In October Hackney Diamonds,” their first album of original material since 2005 and their first without drummer Charlie Watts, who died in 2021. Although he has not seen any set list, Davis said fans can expect to hear a mix of greatest hits and new releases. No special guest performances are expected with the Rolling Stones, but Davis said, “Never say never.”
“Just expect excitement,” he said, laughing. “I think we’ll probably need a few ambulances on site because people will spontaneously combust with excitement. And, they are playing in the daylight schedule. They will be able to make eye contact with the audience. It’s really going to create a special bond.”
Acts on the festival’s 14 stages typically begin simultaneously when gates open at 11 a.m. and continue until the music ends at 7 p.m., but the other stages will close after the Stones take the stage the following week.
Davis said, “When the Stones started playing favorites like ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ and ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ we didn’t want to have 13 empty stages with no people in front of them.” “Anyone who bought a ticket for that day bought a ticket primarily to see The Stones.”
Davis said tickets for other days of the festival will remain available and can be purchased online through their website.
Much of Jazz Fest celebrates the indigenous music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana, but music includes nearly every genre imaginable: blues, R&B, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, Afro-Caribbean, folk, Latin, rock. , rap, contemporary and traditional jazz. , country, bluegrass and everything in between.
The rhythms of Colombia, from music to dance and food, will also be highlighted this year as part of the cultural exchange of the festival. Nearly 200 Colombian artists are scheduled to participate, including headliner Bomba Estéreo on Saturday, Choquequibtown lead singer Goyo making a guest appearance with local band ÌFÉ on Sunday, and salsa stalwarts Grupo Niche, which will close the festival on May 5.
And don’t forget to eat. During the festival, food available on site includes crawfish bread, pecan catfish meunier and catfish almondine, cochon de lait and turducken po-boys, boudin, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, crawfish Monica and shrimp and grits.
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Associated Press video journalist Stephen Smith contributed to this report.
