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Never too early to start thinking about JazzFest... right?!
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers are the first "confirmed" headliners. Petty announced he'd be touring in the spring on his radio show and then went on a bit about JazzFest. Safe to say he's a lock.
Hoping I can make at least one weekend this year work out, had the time of my life last year! Petty certainly puts me one step closer to locking 'er in...
Is JazzFest kid friendly? In my mind, the answer is yes, but it's been five or six years since I've made the trip and a lot changes in five years. Like, for instance, having kids.
I wasn't exactly thinking about that then, so my memory is hazy. I remember it being hot and crowded, but this was before I'd done five consecutive Bonnaroos. Once again, funny how your perspective changes over time.
Saw all sorts of families there last year, but on Saturday and Sundays in particular, JazzFest was the single most crowded festival experience I've ever had. In some places there's barely enough room to stand and watch a show, let alone walk. Spent most of my days on the track just catchin' bits of sets here and there. If you're content to hang out at the smaller stages, or commit to setting up your dojo reeeeeeeal early, I'm sure you'll be fine. But prepare for a bit of claustrophobia.
Post by kylewilliam on Oct 21, 2016 15:36:26 GMT -5
JazzFest is definitely a family affair. It feels like there are nearly a million stages and in all likelihood there will be someone appropriate on at all times. Even better, the festival ends rather early in comparison to the other big ones.
Saw all sorts of families there last year, but on Saturday and Sundays in particular, JazzFest was the single most crowded festival experience I've ever had. In some places there's barely enough room to stand and watch a show, let alone walk. Spent most of my days on the track just catchin' bits of sets here and there. If you're content to hang out at the smaller stages, or commit to setting up your dojo reeeeeeeal early, I'm sure you'll be fine. But prepare for a bit of claustrophobia.
I second this observation. Strollers would be tough to navigate around the big stages given that the Acura stage isn't really one you can "walk up to and hang out at the back." Also, 7 days of festival and you're bound to get torrential rains in NOLA in springtime. The field usually gets pretty muddy.
Covinced my bonnaroo crew to do this this year. Will be my first. we're only a couple months from the lineup release. not much of a rumor mill?
Some things will get out like Petty. Just know that it's different from almost every other fest because it only runs to 7, and you don't get much gimmickry as it's daytime. They will announce lineup by day so you can decide which weekend to go. Biggest plus is there are Night shows every night, and then midnight and 2am shows after those. So you might need to nap/sleep off schedule.
I brought my kid every year until he was old enough to throw a fit about going. (I also went when I was like 7 months preggo and HUGE) I used to bring the umbrella stroller since they are not big and bulky when he was super little. We would setup a spot to kick it most of the day and alternate between people sitting there so we always had good placement. I would also get the WWOZ brass pass if you are planning on going almost all days (at least 5 to make it worth it), because then you have an actual bathroom, free water, mango freezes and a tent when it is balls hot and your baby needs shade. They have misters in the in the tent as well.
The problem is it has gotten so big now that if there is a huge act that day, it will be difficult to navigate through crowds and JazzFest does NOT sell out. You have to take the outer track and never cut through on the inside, unless you like not being able to breath due to being crushed to death by the crowds.
Never too early to start thinking about JazzFest... right?!
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers are the first "confirmed" headliners. Petty announced he'd be touring in the spring on his radio show and then went on a bit about JazzFest. Safe to say he's a lock.
Hoping I can make at least one weekend this year work out, had the time of my life last year! Petty certainly puts me one step closer to locking 'er in...
If this is true I really hope the rumor that he wants to tour Wildflowers as a double-album as it was originally conceived is also true.
looking to book this week for 6-8. anything better than airbnb?
I think airbnb is going to be your best bet. It's definitely the only way you can get a place within walking distance of the fairgrounds, as the closest regular hotels are in the French Quarter.
If you can't or choose not to book near the fairgrounds, a few location and transportation tips. Apologies if you already know this stuff, I can't remember if you have prior experience with New Orleans. Also locals please correct me if I'm wrong.
French Quarter - The most obvious place to stay if you don't book near the fairgrounds. The most safe and touristy area of the city. The most concentrated area of night life if you are looking to party and/or see music after the fest. Close to multiple venues which will have night shows going on: Saenger Theatre and Joy Theatre are both on Canal across from each other, House of Blues is in the quarter, Preservation Hall is in the quarter, and multiple bar type venues on Frenchmen street near the back of the quarter. Good places to eat all around.
CBD - Just across canal from the quarter. Generally an easy walk to the quarter, as long as you aren't too close to the interstate. Won't be quite as many people out and about, some areas may even feel slightly sketch if you are walking around. Again close to multiple venues, including the Orpheum Theatre, Civic Theatre, Howling Wolf, and Republic, all of which should have night shows going on. Mardi Gras World is also in the nearby Arts/Warehouse district, which is basically the southern corner of the CBD. Similarly easy to walk to the venues noted in the FQ above, except Frenchmen which is definitely walkable but a little lengthy.
Garden District - Ah, the garden district, my personal favorite place to stay in New Orleans, although it is the furthest away from the fairgrounds. Close to less music venues, but if you are in the right place of the garden district you can walk to Tipitina's Uptown, a classic venue and a staple of jazzfest night shows. Near to magazine street, which has tons of great places to eat, good shopping, and bars and the like that are more chill than bars in the FQ (though i haven't partied in new orleans since pre-storm so don't take my word for it, but i can't imagine things have changed that much).
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Transportation to and from the fairgrounds - You can certainly drive yourself if you have a car. You can park in City Park for free, although it is a bit of a walk. 1.1 miles from behind the museum to the Sauvage entrance. It's a beautiful walk though, makes me happy just thinking about it. If you want to park closer you can try and find street parking, but it's easy to get confused by the city's numerous parking laws and end up getting towed. You can pay to park at Cabrini High School, I think it's like $35 a day and fills in quick, but you can buy parking in advance if you want.
You can take a cab or uber to the fairgrounds from wherever you are. The problem is after the fest the cab lines are crazy long. To give you an example, a few years ago we parked in city park, left the fest, walked the mile or so back to our car, drove to our hotel in the CBD, chilled for a bit, started getting cleaned up, and then heard from our friends who were still in the cab line.
You can take the official festival shuttle from the Sheraton on canal in the FQ, but the lines for the shuttle when leaving jazzfest can also be enormous.
I think you can see why I always drive myself.
anywho any other questions you got throw them out there, i'll try to answer as best i can.
EDIT: also if you want to get an idea of what kind of music the venues book, check out satchmo's for last year's night shows. the types of music booked and sometimes even the specific acts booked are pretty consistent year over year.
Post by Rat Tomago on Nov 11, 2016 10:08:08 GMT -5
Dude, thank you for all that! My group are all 30s from all over the country and are renting a van. My sister thankfully is a Tulane alum and fairly consistent attendee so I do have a semi-secret parking plan already in place for the fairgrounds. Looks like we might have found a decent spot in the marigny right off esplanade. See y'all there!
Dude, thank you for all that! My group are all 30s from all over the country and are renting a van. My sister thankfully is a Tulane alum and fairly consistent attendee so I do have a semi-secret parking plan already in place for the fairgrounds. Looks like we might have found a decent spot in the marigny right off esplanade. See y'all there!
sounds like you are set. smart move getting everything booked before the lineup is released. it's really best to just choose a weekend and book before everything gets booked up and prices skyrocket. it really doesn't matter who is playing jazzfest, can't think of another festival i can say that about. you're gunna have a blast.
nice Rat. See you there. Billy Joel is out because he announced a show in February. I guess we are about 2 months out from a lineup. I haven't heard shit for rumors outside of Petty. Not a fan but Bob Seger wanted to play last year but wasn't booked. So he's possible. Shorty & Orleans Ave will close the last Sunday, so that's obvious. I'll pick 4 or 5 days to go as I have been doing the last few years. Since 14, I've seen Phish, String Cheese, Panic, Public Enemy, The Who, Neil Young & POTR, Arlo Guthrie, Pearl Jam, RHCP, My Morning Jacket, etc.
nice Rat. See you there. Billy Joel is out because he announced a show in February. I guess we are about 2 months out from a lineup. I haven't heard shit for rumors outside of Petty. Not a fan but Bob Seger wanted to play last year but wasn't booked. So he's possible. Shorty & Orleans Ave will close the last Sunday, so that's obvious. I'll pick 4 or 5 days to go as I have been doing the last few years. Since 14, I've seen Phish, String Cheese, Panic, Public Enemy, The Who, Neil Young & POTR, Arlo Guthrie, Pearl Jam, RHCP, My Morning Jacket, etc.
I'd add if you want to do shit like Commanders or Emeril's or Angeline or Clancys or Restaurant R'Evolution or Peche or Cochon or any higher end places, you'll want to have reservations in by late February to make sure you will be able to go there. The whole city gets packed as shit, and it can be difficult.
Dude, thank you for all that! My group are all 30s from all over the country and are renting a van. My sister thankfully is a Tulane alum and fairly consistent attendee so I do have a semi-secret parking plan already in place for the fairgrounds. Looks like we might have found a decent spot in the marigny right off esplanade. See y'all there!
sounds like you are set. smart move getting everything booked before the lineup is released. it's really best to just choose a weekend and book before everything gets booked up and prices skyrocket. it really doesn't matter who is playing jazzfest, can't think of another festival i can say that about. you're gunna have a blast.
Sxsw at least used to be like that. Now it's a bit more of a hassle to get around without a $600 badge
nice Rat. See you there. Billy Joel is out because he announced a show in February. I guess we are about 2 months out from a lineup. I haven't heard shit for rumors outside of Petty. Not a fan but Bob Seger wanted to play last year but wasn't booked. So he's possible. Shorty & Orleans Ave will close the last Sunday, so that's obvious. I'll pick 4 or 5 days to go as I have been doing the last few years. Since 14, I've seen Phish, String Cheese, Panic, Public Enemy, The Who, Neil Young & POTR, Arlo Guthrie, Pearl Jam, RHCP, My Morning Jacket, etc.
I'd add if you want to do shit like Commanders or Emeril's or Angeline or Clancys or Restaurant R'Evolution or Peche or Cochon or any higher end places, you'll want to have reservations in by late February to make sure you will be able to go there. The whole city gets packed as shit, and it can be difficult.
I think Cochon might be the only high end joint I'm going to push on my less foodie friends. More like a willie maes, felix's, domilise's trip I feel.
That all works. Cochon recently expanded into the next buildong, and it's super casual so no need for dress clothes there. Praline Connection in the Marigny is pretty badass along those lines too. It's on Frenchmen so you will already be close. It's good and cheap soul food with the best candied yams there are. Straight up jus sugar, butter, sweet potatoes. They have good fried chicken also and similar. But even for the walk-in places if you go when they open you won't have a problem.
bah! housing not quite locked in yet. If I had a house around the corner of Carrollton and Dumaine are we good to just walk to the fairgrounds?
Yeah. That's about 7 blocks from my house. My baby brother lives right there on Olga. You are a 12-15 minute walk. Mine is about 22-25 and I just mix a drink for the walk because you can drink on the streets provided you don't have an open glass bottle.
Post by mowglihokie on Nov 17, 2016 15:07:00 GMT -5
I'm gonna say that Sting is gonna play this year.
He's on tour for new release and ends in Europe Apr 13th. That would be about the right amount of time for him to come back and play Jazzfest. I'm not the biggest fan, but him being there would make sense.
1/22/16 Slocan Ramblers 2/5/16 Yonder Mtn String 2/18/16 Gary Clark Jr 3/14/16 Vance Joy 3/18/16 Los Lobos 4/14-16 Wanee Festival 4/22-25 Jazz & Heritage Fest 7/27/16 DMB TPA 9/2/16 DMB Greek Theater 9/14/16 Leon Bridges 10/30/16 Hulaween 2/3/17 Avett Bros 2/18/17 Sea Bay Blues Clearwater
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He's on tour for new release and ends in Europe Apr 13th. That would be about the right amount of time for him to come back and play Jazzfest. I'm not the biggest fan, but him being there would make sense.
Sting is playing February 22 here in New Orleans. The likelihood of him coming back is slim to none.
He's on tour for new release and ends in Europe Apr 13th. That would be about the right amount of time for him to come back and play Jazzfest. I'm not the biggest fan, but him being there would make sense.
Sting is playing February 22 here in New Orleans. The likelihood of him coming back is slim to none.
Makes sense...I didn't see he was playing in Feb....
I'll add JOHN MAYER then to my list instead...releasing new album in Spring followed by tour...He seems to fit the mold of JFest and has played there before....He's a lot better than I thought he'd be....
1/22/16 Slocan Ramblers 2/5/16 Yonder Mtn String 2/18/16 Gary Clark Jr 3/14/16 Vance Joy 3/18/16 Los Lobos 4/14-16 Wanee Festival 4/22-25 Jazz & Heritage Fest 7/27/16 DMB TPA 9/2/16 DMB Greek Theater 9/14/16 Leon Bridges 10/30/16 Hulaween 2/3/17 Avett Bros 2/18/17 Sea Bay Blues Clearwater
moe. is also playing the 28th and 29th at The Civic and you have to purchase all 3 if you want to go to The Civic ("Must purchase a 3 show ticket to include moe's performances at The Civic on the 28th and 29th)
Tickets go on sale Friday, 12/16 at 11am. Pre-sale is 12/12, and I have the presale code if anyone wants to buy me a 3 day pass.
moe. is also playing the 28th and 29th at The Civic and you have to purchase all 3 if you want to go to The Civic ("Must purchase a 3 show ticket to include moe's performances at The Civic on the 28th and 29th)
Tickets go on sale Friday, 12/16 at 11am. Pre-sale is 12/12, and I have the presale code if anyone wants to buy me a 3 day pass.
Damn, theaters are getting those shows booked early this year. Good for them, they were slack over the past few years. I used to love moe back in the day, but haven't seen them in a while. Caught their set at hangout 3 years ago but was underwhelmed. Having said that it was a day time set with a middling crowd.
Yeah, I dug the set in 13 at Hangout, but it was midday and not evening. I'm thinking hard about going, but Voodoo Tickets presale is next week and also I gotta save a few bucks for Day for Night.
