Feature: Jazz Fest
(NEW ORLEANS, La.) The Jazz and Heritage Festival kicked off this year’s event with a very successful opening weekend.
April 24 - April 27 was the opening weekend for Jazz Fest 2025. Patrons gathered at the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course to attend the festival, which offered live music from many different artists and genres, authentic local cuisine, and cultural art exhibits, all of which added to the experience that is the Jazz and Heritage Festival.
The lineup for the opening weekend featured both rising stars and seasoned performers. Country music performer and festival headliner Kacey Musgraves closed the festival Friday evening, giving it her all and exclaiming that she loves New Orleans.
Saturday evening followed with New Orleans-born artist Lil Wayne & The Roots drawing in a large crowd. And on Sunday evening, Dave Matthews Band wrapped up the opening weekend with a performance that captivated the crowd and kept them dancing until closing.
Sarah O’Brien, an avid Jazz Fest attendee, shared, “I will never miss a Jazz Fest that Dave Matthews performs at. It’s amazing to see the crowd go from sitting down enjoying the awesome music to up on their feet dancing with everyone in the crowd.”
Aside from music, the Jazz and Heritage Festival highlights the rich cultural heritage. The Cultural Exchange Pavilion showcased Mexican art and music, such as Lila Downs and Mexican Institute of Sound. Having the Cultural Exchange Pavilion affirms that the festival is interested in presenting different cultural influences from around the world. Local food is a Jazz Fest staple. Various food vendors served iconic local dishes like crawfish bread, jambalaya, and a fun twist on beignets.
Festival goer Margaret Bailey shared a laugh when she mentioned, “I’m willing to say I come to Jazz Fest for the food! Yes, I’m a New Orleans local, but having all of the food vendors in one place is top tier…the good music is a plus, too.”
One of the most popular talking points from the opening weekend of the festival occurred during the band HAIM’s performance on the Shell Gentilly Stage Sunday evening. The crowd went crazy as the sister trio band invited their parents, Donna and Moti Haim, on stage to sing “Mustang Sally.”
The impromptu performance pleased fans and signified the family’s strong musical background. During this performance, the sisters also announced they would be releasing new music and performed songs from their upcoming album “I Quit,” to be released on June 20th this year.
This past weekend left attendees excitedly awaiting weekend two of Jazz Fest as they get ready for a variety of great performances. Luke Combs, Pearl Jam, Better Than Ezra, Cage the Elephant, and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts are some of the upcoming headliners that are creating a buzz. The forecast looks promising, showing sunny skies and warm temperatures. It is the perfect setup for another memorable weekend of performances and local culture in New Orleans.
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