Jazz Fest is Back Again!

One of the biggest and most celebrated music festivals of the year, the internationally acclaimed New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is again upon us. In just a few short weeks, tourists and locals alike will all flock to the Fairgrounds Race Track, which transforms annually into a massive music venue for hippies, hep cats, rockers, and folksies alike.

The lineup has been out for a while, with seven days of great music, amazing food, and an infinite amount of memories to be made during that time. April 24-26 is the first weekend; April 30-May 3 comprise the second weekend.

For the first set of dates, April 24-26, here’s a partial list of what’s in store:

• Erykah Badu
• Better Than Ezra
• Dave Matthews Band
• the original Etta James with the Roots Band
• Earth, Wind & Fire
• Papa Grows Funk
• Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters
• Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys
• Benjy Davis Project
• The Vettes
• Marc Broussard
• Drive-By Truckers with Booker T.
• Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
• Storyville Stompers Brass Band
• various Mardi Gras Indians
• The Pfister Sisters
• Allen Toussaint
• Al “Carnival Time” Johnson
• Terence Blanchard
• Gringo do Choro
• Walter “Wolfman” Washington
• Big Sam’s Funky Nation
• Galactic
• the legendary Irma Thomas
• Rebirth Brass Band with Kermit Ruffins
• Ivan Neville and Dumpstaphunk
• Astral Project
• James Taylor
• Chris Owens
• The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
• Leah Chase (daughter of Dookie Chase great, the Leah Chase, Sr.)
• another legend, Pete Fountain

You can get your tickets through Ticketmaster, or off a scalper outside of the Fairgrounds. You can even buy them on-site, since this standing festival doesn’t sell out. Prices range according to the different packages available, so be sure to check out your options. There’s much to be said for in-and-out privileges, but it’s going to cost you.