NEW ORLEANS — Looks like the third time’s the charm for the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & The Heritage festival is preparing, once again, for the performance of the Rolling Stones.
The festival, which spans two weekends, is scheduled to open on Thursday, with dozens of acts playing daily on 14 stages spread across the historic Fair Grounds racetrack. The Stones play next Thursday, May 2nd, tickets for which have long been sold out.
In 2019, festival organizers thought they had landed the legendary rock band, but the performance was canceled because lead singer Mick Jagger underwent heart surgery. They tried again in 2021, but a rise in COVID-19 cases forced the festival to be cancelled.
Now, says festival producer Quint Davis, “it’s going to be special.”
This will be the first time the Stones will play at Jazz Fest.
Opening day acts include rock bands Widespread Panic and The Beach Boys, reggae artist Stephen Marley and jazz vocalist 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 Thursday’s grand opening. Similar weather was expected for the rest of the first weekend, which runs through Sunday and features performances from Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Jon Batiste, country megastar Chris Stapleton, R&Singer B 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 performance in the marquee. “Unfortunately for some, that day tickets sold out within about a day and a half after tickets went on sale. I think people have waited so long for this.”
The Rolling Stones in October released “ Hackney Diamonds,” his first album of original material since 2005 and the first without drummer Charlie Watts, who died in 2021. While he hasn’t seen a set list, Davis said fans can expect to hear a mix of greatest hits and new releases. No special guests are expected to perform with the Rolling Stones, but Davis said “never say never.”
“Just expect euphoria,” he said with a laugh. “I think we might need some ambulances on the scene because people will spontaneously combust from all the excitement. And they’re playing in a daytime event. They will be able to make eye contact with the audience. This will create a really special bond.”
Performances across the festival’s 14 stages generally play simultaneously, starting when the doors open at 11am and continuing until the music ends at 7pm. But the other stages will be closed next week when the Stones take the stage.
“We didn’t want to have 13 empty stages and no people in front of them when the Stones started singing favorites like ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’ and ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash,’” Davis said. Whoever bought a ticket for that day mainly bought one to see the Stones.”
Davis said tickets for other days of the festival remain available and can be purchased online through the website.
Much of Jazz Fest celebrates the indigenous music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana, but the music encompasses 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 to food, will also be highlighted this year as part of the festival’s cultural exchange. Around 200 Colombian artists are scheduled to participate, including headliners Bomba Estéreo on Saturday, ChocQuibTown frontman Goyo in a special appearance with local band ÌFÉ on Sunday, and salsa legends Grupo Niche closing the celebration on 5 of May.
And don’t forget the food. During the festival, food available on-site includes lobster roll, nutmeg meuniere and almond catfish, cochon de lait and turducken po-boys, boudin, lobster étouffée, jambalaya, lobster Monica, and shrimp and grits.
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