NEW ORLEANS — The 2015 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival may have had some setbacks, but it still lived up to its tradition as an experience full of food, music, inclement weather and an overall good time.
Day one started off slowly, as festival-goers were wary of the impending storms. However, once the acts took the stages to kick off the day, the crowd’s energy and spirits were lifted to high levels.
While each performance brought something original to the cultural melting pot that is Jazz Fest, there were specific headliners that fans were anticipating the most.
The popular spots to be at on Friday were the Acura Stage and Gentilly Stage, hosting acts that included Earphunk, Wayne Toups, Mia Borders, Royal Teeth, Hozier, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Keith Urban and Wilco.
Hozier’s set garnered one of the largest crowds of the day, with onlookers eager to watch the famed “Take Me to Church” singer perform. He showed versatility by playing many of the lesser known songs on his album and also covering pop singer Amerie’s “1 Thing.”
Halfway through the closing acts, rain and wind set in and forced artists to pack up early. However, they did make what time they had memorable.
Keith Urban and Wilco were two of the most popular closing performances. Their set times were the same, making fans decide on which to see, as they were on opposite sides of the festival ground.
Wilco was the prime choice for festival-goers who weren’t die-hard country fans. The band won the crowd over with its alternative sound, keeping the mood in step with Hozier’s performance just before them. Closing out the Gentilly Stage, Wilco left festival goers in high, rocking spirits.
At the Acura Stage, Keith Urban honored his loyal fans. He played most of his hits, giving fans just what they wanted to hear. At the point he was supposed to stop playing, however, he instead took to performing out in the audience and squeezed in a few more songs before giving in to the weather.
Day two began sunnier, drier and hotter than expected, allowing festival goers to jump right into the eager atmosphere. With New Orleans-based bands kicking off the day, it was impossible not to feel lifted up by the upbeat jazz and funk bands of Robin Barnes, TBC Brass Band, Tank and The Bangas, John Lisi and Delta Funk! as well as several others.
Taking in more of the festival experience, attendees seemed to enjoy the classic festival food staples such as crawfish Monica, mango freezes and strawberry lemonade.
Many attendees also had more interest in the arts and crafts vendors in between sets, some coming from cities as far as North Brunswick, New Jersey, and Ellenwood, Georgia.
However, the festival hit a minor setback around 1 p.m. when the rain started again. It was expected, and attendees showed up prepared, making umbrellas, ponchos and rain boots fashion statements.
Once the rain picked up to the point of no longer being able to walk around comfortably — or drily — people either left or took shelter in the tented areas throughout the grounds.
Some brave souls remained at the stages, dedicated to listening as much as the musicians were to playing. All of the acts continued, unfazed by the weather and powering through their performances with an unrelenting attitude.
The Revivalists embraced the rain the most, with frontman David Shaw jumping off the stage and meeting the crowd at the barricades. An hour after the rain subsided, fans raced out to finish their festival experience on a positive note, turning the festival into a muddy playground for the remainder of the day.
Popular closers were The Who, Ryan Adams, John Legend and The Robert Cray Band, who undoubtedly brought the festival to a strong close.
Day three’s weather seemed more cooperative, ending the festival’s first weekend on a high note.
Some of the popular artists festivalgoers saw throughout the day included Flow Tribe, Sweet Crude, Cowboy Mouth and Allen Toussaint.
To close the day, Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga and Pitbull also performed.

Gallery • 45 Photos

Raegan Labat

Andrew Hozier Byrne of 'Hozier' performs Friday, Apr. 24, 2015 at the Gentilly Stage at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.