The infamous quotation, “The show must go on,” comes to mind for the second day of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, as the day was filled with eager fans’ dedication and welcomed rain.
The morning kicked off with cloudy sunshine and an electric atmosphere about the upcoming performances.
Several popular New Orleans-based bands opened the festival, including TBC Brass Band, Robin Barnes, Tank and The Bangas and John Lisi and Delta Funk.
Tank and The Bangas took to the Gentilly Stage to inspire festival goers through its original sound. Its songs are a mixture of hip-hop, soul and spoken word, backed by a bass player, drummer, keyboardist, percussionist and two saxophones to bring the audience an unforgettable performance.
Midday headliners included Raw Oyster Cult, Tommy Malone, The Wee Trio and Tony Hall and the New Orleans Souls Stars’ Tribute to James Brown.
Tony Hall and the Souls Stars’ ignited the crowd with the classic songs from James Brown, adding a little necessary New Orleans-style flair into the mix.
For anyone walking through the festival in between these acts, visitors were able to catch sight of the parades and pow wows going on around the race track near popular stages.
I was able to catch one in particular, the Mahogany Brass Band with Nine Times, Single Ladies, and Single Men Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs, which drew a group of tight-knit viewers as they marched and danced away from the Congo Square Stage.
All was well with the festival until the end of these acts. The initial partial sun disappeared behind threatening clouds, but no one gave any thought to it until it actually started storming.
When it began raining, festival goers scattered throughout the grounds, some leaving the festival completely, some embracing the storm and some hiding away in the tents throughout the area.
However, no matter where fans went, the artists scheduled remained dedicated to playing their shows, made up of Big Sam’s Funky Nation, The Revivalists, Luke James, Jeremy Davenport, Lost Bayou Ramblers and Little Maker.
The Revivalists proved to be unfazed by anything, with frontman David Shaw repeatedly jumping off stage to meet the fans watching from the barricades and revel in the rain.
After an hour and a half of the heavy rain, thunder and threatening lightning, the weather relented to a light drizzle and fans were able to rush back out to watch the last half hours of the sets.
The remainder of the festival’s day proceeded smoothly, with festival goers turning the fair grounds into a muddy playground.
At every stage, adults and children alike were making use of the slippery ground by dancing their hearts out to the music being played.
This was especially true at the Fais Do Do Stage, which primarily featured zydeco and jazz bands during the day.
To close out the festival, fans were treated to several highly anticipated acts, including GIVERS, Sonny Landreth, Shovels and Rope, The Who, Ryan Adams, John Legend and The Robert Cray Band.
It was no secret The Who and John Legend were the most popular with viewers, forcing them to choose between the two as their sets were around the same times.
John Legend played more of his softer songs, but it wouldn’t be a satisfying concert without hearing him play some of his hits, which he did. The emotion in his voice during “All of Me” and “Glory” was met by the fans’ getting to hear the inspiring songs in person.
The Who’s set, of course, was juxtaposed to Legend’s as the renowned British Invasion band rocked the crowd with their classic hits. Their sound from the Acura Stage amplified throughout the fair grounds, making it known they’re still a driving force in the rock world.
Even more today than the first, attendees were enjoying all aspects of the festival, visiting the arts and crafts vendors more frequently, as well as the food.
Overall, day two of Jazz Fest was a hit despite the minor setback from the rain, and New Orleans proved once again there’s nothing that can dull their parties.

Gallery • 8 Photos

Raegan Labat

Festival goers walk the damp festival grounds in rain boots Saturday, Apr. 25, 2015 at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.