Spring festival season is officially in full swing in New Orleans. While the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has world-renowned fame, the less well-known, but equally impactful French Quarter Festival completed its 40th year this past weekend. Nicknamed “The Locals’ Festival”, French Quarter Festival is one of the largest free music festivals in the United States showcasing a diverse lineup of over 270 musical acts on 20 stages over the course of four days in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Not only is the festival one of a kind in the country, but it is also the world’s largest showcase of Louisiana music, food, and culture.
French Quarter Festival employs more than 1,700 local musicians during the festival weekend in every genre including traditional and contemporary jazz, funk, folk, gospel, swing, R&B, zydeco, brass bands, bounce, polka, rock, and international. Performances range from major touring acts with Louisiana roots to New Orleans high school performances, giving attendees the opportunity to see their favorite acts while hearing the future of music on the same day.
Headliners for the 40th year included the Soul Queen of New Orleans, Irma Thomas, The Soul Rebels featuring Big Freedia, Samantha Fish, Ani DiFranco, George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, Honey Island Swamp Band, and Tank and the Bangas. This year also featured special French Quarter Fest After Dark shows throughout the city including performances by Ivan Neville, John Michael Bradford, Eric Lindell, and Boyfriend, keeping the party going well into the night.
Next year’s French Quarter Festival will be held April 11-14, 2024. Check out a gallery of images from throughout the event courtesy of photographer Tiffany Anderson/Feral Photography.
With Jazz Fest steadily approaching, Live For Live Music has announced complete details for this year’s Fest by Nite concert series. The series is set to begin during weekend one of Jazz Fest with The Nth Power‘s Tribute to The Gap Band featuring members of Dumpstaphunk and more at Toulouse Theatre (Friday, 4/28, 12:30 a.m.), TAUK‘s Parliament-Funkadelic vs. Sly and the Family Stone celebration featuring Kanika Moore, Antwaun Stanley, and The Horn Section at Toulouse Theatre (Saturday, 4/29, 9:00 p.m.); The Funk Sessions featuring members of Lettuce, Galactic, and more at Toulouse Theatre (Saturday, 4/29, 1:00 a.m.); SPAGA Plays Dead at Toulouse Theatre (Sunday, April 30th, 8:00 p.m.); and Maurice “MOBETTA” Brown & Friends at Toulouse Theatre (Sunday, April 30th, 1:00 a.m.).
During the “Daze Between” Jazz Fest’s two weekends, music fans in New Orleans can also take part in the fun at Daze Between New Orleans, a two-day music festival at Faubourg Brewery on Tuesday, May 2nd and Wednesday, May 3rd featuring four sets of Goose over two nights in addition to performances by Tank and the Bangas, Lawrence, Neal Francis, David Shaw, George Porter Jr., Eggy, Melt, Honey Island Swamp Band, J & The Causeways, and The Quickening. A portion of proceeds from the Daze Between New Orleans will benefit New Orleans nonprofit organizations via Rex Foundation. Find ticketing information via the festival website.
The Fest by Nite programming will continue through the “Daze Between” and into weekend two with Daze by Nite featuring members of Lettuce, Lawrence, Dumpstaphunk, and more with Eggy at The Howlin’ Wolf (Tuesday, 5/2); The Daze Between Band at Tipitina’s (Wednesday, 5/3 – SOLD OUT); a Steely Dan Tribute featuring members of Cool Cool Cool, The Nth Power, The Motet, and more at The Howlin’ Wolf (Thursday, May 4th, 1:00 a.m.); Poppa Funk & The Night Tripper: A Tribute to Art Neville & Dr. John at The Civic Theatre (Friday, 5/5, 9:00 p.m.); two nights of The Disco Biscuits at the Mahalia Jackson Theater (Friday, May 5th and Saturday, May 6th); an LP Giobbi Dead House Dead & Company after-party at The Howlin’ Wolf (Saturday, May 6th, 9:00 p.m.); Worship My Organ at The Howlin’ Wolf (Saturday, May 6th, 1:00 a.m.); and Purple Party: A Tribute To Prince at The Howlin’ Wolf (Sunday, May 7th, 1:00 a.m.).
For an updating list of announcements and ticketing details, head here. Follow Live For Live Music on social media to stay updated on new additions to the series as Jazz Fest approaches.
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