This weekend, the fair grounds were bustling as people poured in to see big headliners such as Stevie Nicks and Tyler Childers at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
The Saturday line to get into Jazz Fest stretched far beyond Gentilly Boulevard. This was the longest line I have ever seen for Jazz Fest as a New Orleans native who goes every year. The crowds were lively and one could feel the energy in the air.
Everyone was eager to see different musicians and to eat the amazing food. I conversed with a woman in line who said she was excited to eat a mango freeze. Foods such as mango freezes, meat pies, crawfish bread and Crawfish Monica are Jazz Fest staples that highlight New Orleans’ special culture even more.
When you enter the festival, you are greeted by the endless number of flags with the Jazz Fest logo. The warm air hits you and you know it is time to get your festival on.
This year, the showcased country was Jamaica. The Cultural Exchange Pavilion and surrounding tents were filled with Jamaican artists, and the headliners included Ziggy and Stephen Marley.
The two main headliners at the Gentilly and Festival stages were Tyler Childers and Stevie Nicks.
The people in New Orleans, especially during the Jazz Fest season, are like no other. Despite being strangers, many festival-goers took the time to talk to and learn about one another while waiting between musical sets. In New Orleans, no one is a stranger and everyone is greeted with the utmost warmth. You can feel that in the Jazz Fest atmosphere.
Tyler Childers opened with “Eatin’ Big Time,” the opening track on his 2025 album “Snipe Hunter.” He also played many of his hits from throughout the years, like “Oneida,” “Whitehouse Road” and “House Fire.” He closed with “Lady May,” which was accompanied by the ambiance of rainfall.
Meanwhile, Stevie Nicks was setting the stage on fire in front of an enormous crowd, which spanned all the way past the race track. She opened with “Outside the Rain.” She played many of her Fleetwood Mac hits such as “Dreams,” “Gypsy” and “Rhiannon.” She closed with “Edge of Seventeen,” and a rainbow appeared over the stage.
It also began to rain while she was playing “Landslide,” which was extremely touching for the crowd as the song is full of emotion.
Leaving Jazz Fest might just be as exciting as the festival itself. Many people with their own small businesses set up shop and sell their homemade goods. This is accompanied by people relaxing on their front porches, sitting back taking in the views. Many musicians showcase their talents on these porches while neighborhood folks dance to the music.
There is still another weekend of Jazz Fest from April 31 to May 2, so if you want to check out the fun, you can find tickets on the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival website.
