All festivals advertise and hope to deliver on the promise of days filled with food and fun for all attendants. With Jazz Fest, these two things are provided in spades along with everything you didn’t even know you needed to enjoy yourself. Music is the festival’s central focus, and every function revolves around it.
Opening to droves of people at 11 a.m., Jazz Fest’s second day began the fun with Imagination Movers on the Samsung Galaxy Stage. Imagination Movers is a New Orleans-based quartet specializing in children’s music. The group closed out its set with a medley of ’90s songs covers.
Over in the shady Peoples Health Economy Tent, the Shotgun Jazz Band played to a full house. The band’s rendition of the hymn “Walking With The Lord” had the audience up on its feet and responding with minimal effort by vocalist Marla Dixon, who picked the song after offering listeners the choice between a sing-along and a ballad.
The popular Treme Brass Band made itself heard in the Peoples Health tent as well. Treme’s performance was awaited, as indicated by the tent’s rapid filling. With all seats filled and only standing room remaining, audience members formed a square dancing parade around the middle section of chairs, joining in with the MBJ dancing crew.
At the “Fais Do-Do” stage, where many Cajun and Zydeco musicians perform, fans were able to get their two-step on with help from Jeffery Broussard and the Cajun Cowboys. There, one could see many couples dancing in the style of Cajun parties known as a “fais do-do.” Longtime Jazz Fest performer Buckwheat Zydeco played alongside C. J. Chenier, the son of Clifton Chenier, Terrance Simien and Rockin’ Dopsie Jr.
A crucial part of Jazz Fest is its focus on culture, as well. Alongside the music and art of New Orleans artists, there was a substantial presence by both Native American and Brazilian performers. Throughout the fair grounds, numerous cliques of full-regalia dancers would parade into dense crowds, stopping to perform their traditional dances for all to watch and enjoy. Most noticeable were the Mardi Gras, who frequently marched and danced with large headdresses of colored feathers and loud whistles.
This year, Jazz Fest displayed significant attention toward Brazil as a whole. The festival has erected a full pavilion named “Casa Do Brasil” devoted to Brazil and its culture, serving native foods. There were also Brazilians acts performing so as to tie into Jazz Fest’s collaboration with the Brazilian state of Bahia. Baiana System of Bahia-Brazil filled the Congo Square stage with the sound of drumming and Portuguese singing.
When people can’t take the heat of New Orleans, they are welcome to one of the festival’s many tents rigged with misting systems. The Gospel tent is a popular venue for those looking for a cool down. Refreshing mists of water combined with relaxing gospel singing helps any fan to become revived for a second round at walking the grounds.
Aside from all of the older-fashioned cultural music of jazz, Native Americans and Brazil, there were plenty of contemporary performers helping to bring the young and young at heart. One of the day’s bigger names was Vermont jam band Phish, who filled a three-hour set with tunes that had a massive audience singing.
New Orleans bounce artist Big Freedia bridged the gap between current music and culture. Bounce music has roots in New Orleans and Big Freedia brought his fans what they wanted: track after track of thumping dance music. Toward the end of his set, Big Freedia mentioned that his mother had recently passed away April 1. The last song, a rendition of Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky,” was dedicated to his mother and was performed with the Soul Rebel horn group.
Rounding out the day were performances by two of the more highly anticipated acts of the festival: Robert Plant and Robin Thicke. Plant, of Led Zeppelin fame, took to the Samsung Galaxy stage with his newest backing band, the Sensational Space Shifter. Plant wowed the audience by performing the Zeppelin hit “Black Dog” in the middle of a song by his band. This came as a surprise because of known issues involving the use of Led Zeppelin’s music.
Robin Thicke proved to be a different story. At the show’s start, a recording of a space shuttle countdown preceded his entrance, riling the crowd into a frenzy of excitement. Thicke moved from song to song, performing his hit “Magic” toward the show’s beginning.
The show exhibited Thicke’s talent as a stage presence. He moved from end to end of the Congo Square stage, the New Orleans heat causing him to sweat profusely in a dark pair slacks and black dress shirt. What caused some confusion was Thicke’s actual stage time.
Though he was scheduled for an hour and a half, Thicke finished his show with his 2013 hit “Blurred Lines” nearly 40 minutes before the planned end of 7:00 p.m. Despite this off-putting facet, fans still seemed to enjoy his showmanship, singing each line with him.
Day 3 of Jazz Fest holds even more for fans. For lovers of local flavor, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Rebirth Brass Band are scheduled to play the Blues Tent and Congo Square stage, respectively. New Orleans indie band Royal Teeth is make its second Jazz Fest appearance, followed by Louisiana jam band Galactic. Jazz Fest’s first weekend will come to a close with performances by rock legend Eric Clapton and much-loved New York quartet Vampire Weekend.