The first weekend of Jazz Fest is in the books. This has to have been one of the best weekends of weather in the history of the fest. The crowds on Friday and Sunday were nice and light and even Saturday didn’t get too terribly slammed. As for the music, Aurora Nealand was a revelation both as part of Calvin Johnson’s Sidney Bechet tribute on Friday and with her own Royal Roses on Saturday. Alexis and The Samurai wowed a packed Lagniappe stage. Vishtèn of Canada accented their performance with a fierce clogging component. Big Freedia gave the fest her own version of Beyonce’s Coachella show and David Byrne put on what will long be regarded as one of the best shows in Jazz Fest history.
Here are a few recommendations for the second weekend of fest. Let’s hope we can carry over some of that first weekend weather.
Thursday
Alex McMurray and His Band 11:15 a.m. Gentilly
Gal Holiday 12:20 p.m. Gentilly
Jamil Sharif 1:45 p.m. Economy Hall
The Revelers 3:00 p.m. Fais Do-Do
Susan Cowsill 3:05 p.m. Lagniappe
Terrace Martin 4:15 p. m. Jazz Tent
Archie Shepp Quartet 5:45 p.m. Jazz Tent
Friday
Motel Radio 11:20 a.m. Acura
Young Hunters MG Indians 12:30 p.m. Heritage Stage
Glen David Andrews/Treme Choir 2:50 p.m. Gospel Tent
Don Vappie’s Tribute to King Oliver 4:20 p.m. Economy Hall
Beck 5:25 p.m. Acura
Sheryl Crow 5:45 p.m. Gentilly
Saturday
Stoop Kids 11:20 a.m. Gentilly
Boyfriend 12:45 p.m. Gentilly
The Bounce 1:45 p.m. Congo
Jupiter and Okwess 1:20 p.m. Heritage Stage
Astral Project 2:50 p.m. Jazz Tent
Kristin Diable and the City 4:25 p.m. Lagniappe
Anita Baker 5:30 p.m. Congo
Sunday
New Orleans Suspects 11:15 a.m. Acura
Walter Woflman Washington 12:35 p.m. Congo
Lakou Mizik 1:35 p.m. Heritage Stage
The Zion Harmonizers 2:50 p.m. Gospel Tent
Jack White 3:35 p.m. Acura
The Radiators @ 40 3:15 p.m. Gentilly
Savion Glover 5:40 p.m. Jazz Tent
To Do This Week
Tonight check out the Fu*k 2017 show at One Eyed Jacks with Joey Porter, Shira Elias, Nate Werth and more. You can also catch The Revivalists at the Saenger. Tomorrow, Galactic rolls into the Joy, Honey Island Swamp Band is at Cafe Istanbul and the Worship My Organ collective takes up at the Maison. Saturday, Ryan Adams does “Exile on Bourbon Street” a supergroup performance of the Stones’ “Exile on Main St.” at the Saenger. Also Saturday, you can catch Big Freedia with Sweet Crude at Republic and Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe is at the Joy. Sunday, wrap up your festival weekend with Dumpstaphunk at Tips with Soul Sister or George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic at the House of Blues. Tuesday, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness is at the House of Blues.
To Listen This Week
- New Thundercat single via CoS
- Jack White does a great cover of The Modern Lovers “Pablo Picasso” via Spotify
- CHVRCHES released a great single take video for “Miracle” via Youtube
