The Rolling Stones set to play New Orleans Jazz Fest 2024, opening Thursday
NEW ORLEANS– It seems the third time is as charming as 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is once again preparing for the performance of The Rolling Stones.
The festival, which spans two weekends, kicks off Thursday with dozens of acts performing daily on 14 stages across the historic Fair Grounds circuit. The Stones will play next Thursday, May 2, for which tickets have long been sold out.
In 2019, festival organizers thought they had the legendary rock band in, but the performance was canceled because singer Mick Jagger had to undergo heart surgery. They tried again in 2021, but a surge in COVID-19 cases ultimately forced the celebration to be canceled.
Now festival producer Quint Davis says: “It will be special.”
This will be the first time the Stones will play Jazz Fest.
Rock bands Widespread Panic and The Beach Boys, reggae artist Stephen Marley and jazz singer John Boutte will be present on the opening day.
“The talent is great, the weather is expected 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. Similar weather conditions were expected for the remainder of the first weekend, which runs through Sunday and features performances by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jon Batiste, country megastar Chris Stapleton, R.&B singer Fantasia, rock band Heart, Cajun violinist Amanda Shaw and The Cute Guys, jazz pianist Patrice Rushen and blues and folk artist Ruthie Foster.
The anticipation for the Stones’ performance is palpable, Davis said.
“All I hear is, ‘How can I get a ticket?’” he said of fans trying to see the big performance. “Unfortunately, that day was sold out for some within a day and a half after tickets went on sale. I think people have been waiting for this for so long.”
The Rolling Stones released “ Hackney diamonds”, their first album of original material since 2005 and their first without drummer Charlie Watts, who died in 2021. Although he didn’t see a set list, Davis said fans can expect a mix of greatest hits and new releases. No special guests are expected with the Rolling Stones, but Davis said, “Never say never.”
“You can expect euphoria,” he said, laughing. “I think we may need some ambulances on site because people will spontaneously combust from the excitement. And they’re playing at an event in daylight. They can make eye contact with the audience. That creates a very special bond.”
Acts on the festival’s 14 stages usually play simultaneously, starting when the gates open at 11 a.m. and continuing until the music ends at 7 p.m. But the other stages will be closed next week when the Stones take the stage.
“We didn’t want thirteen empty stages and no people in front of them when the Stones start singing favorites like ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ and ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash,’” Davis said. “Everyone who bought a ticket for that day mainly bought one to see The Stones.
Davis said tickets for the other days of the festival remain available and can be purchased online through their website.
Much of Jazz Fest celebrates the native music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana, but the music includes almost every style 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 festival’s cultural exchange. Nearly 200 Colombian artists will participate, including headliners Bomba Estéreo on Saturday, ChocQuibTowns singer Goyo in a guest appearance with local band ÌFÉ on Sunday, and salsa legends Grupo Niche closing the party on May 5.
And don’t forget the food. Available on site during the festival are crawfish bread, pecan-catfish meuniere and catfish-almondine, cochon de lait and turducken po-boys, boudin, crawfish étouffée, jambalaya, crawfish Monica and shrimp and grits.