OT: Going to Jazz Fest
- Thread starter ronpolk
- Start date
I'm missing JF for the first time in almost 20 years...
I hate that I can't make it this year... but here are a few of my top tips:
Whatever day/days you go, pick the big act that you want to see at the end of the day and set up a spot at that stage early in the day. For example, with Pearl Jam, bring a couple of camp chairs and set them up at the Acura Stage as soon as you get to the fairgrounds. You can wander off for a bit earlier in the day and people won't mess with them, especially if you make friends with people around you. But I'd also recommend getting back to that stage an hour or two (maybe more) before the headliner starts. If you try to get to Acura later in the day, or worse, right before Pearl Jam's (or any other headliner's) set starts, you'll end up packed into a crowd and not able to move.
It's tempting to just booze it up all day but drink plenty of water, too. You can thank me later. I've seen people suffer from the effects of dehydration and the EMTs can't get to them (see above about the crowds).
That being said, sneak in some vodka and buy a strawberry or raspberry lemonade. Mix and enjoy. Also, bring a small soft-sided cooler and buy plenty of drinks at once, especially later in the day. If you buy enough beer and tip the folks at the beer booth, they'll usually give you some ice for the cooler.
I can't stress enough how bad the crowds are at the Acura Stage and the less you try to move around later in the afternoon, the better off you'll be.
Almost all of the food is good but try the Crawfish Monica. It's a Jazz Fest staple. The red beans and rice are surprisingly good, too. I'm drawing a blank on the specific name but there's also a chicken and tasso curry-like dish that is fantastic (it's usually near the Crawfish Monica booth).
I hate that I can't make it this year... but here are a few of my top tips:
Whatever day/days you go, pick the big act that you want to see at the end of the day and set up a spot at that stage early in the day. For example, with Pearl Jam, bring a couple of camp chairs and set them up at the Acura Stage as soon as you get to the fairgrounds. You can wander off for a bit earlier in the day and people won't mess with them, especially if you make friends with people around you. But I'd also recommend getting back to that stage an hour or two (maybe more) before the headliner starts. If you try to get to Acura later in the day, or worse, right before Pearl Jam's (or any other headliner's) set starts, you'll end up packed into a crowd and not able to move.
It's tempting to just booze it up all day but drink plenty of water, too. You can thank me later. I've seen people suffer from the effects of dehydration and the EMTs can't get to them (see above about the crowds).
That being said, sneak in some vodka and buy a strawberry or raspberry lemonade. Mix and enjoy. Also, bring a small soft-sided cooler and buy plenty of drinks at once, especially later in the day. If you buy enough beer and tip the folks at the beer booth, they'll usually give you some ice for the cooler.
I can't stress enough how bad the crowds are at the Acura Stage and the less you try to move around later in the afternoon, the better off you'll be.
Almost all of the food is good but try the Crawfish Monica. It's a Jazz Fest staple. The red beans and rice are surprisingly good, too. I'm drawing a blank on the specific name but there's also a chicken and tasso curry-like dish that is fantastic (it's usually near the Crawfish Monica booth).
Last edited:
Thanks for the very detailed tips... I'll be there the first weekend. So, the obvious I wanna see is pearl jam and red hot chili peppers but I'm sure there are several I'll end up enjoying. Thanks again for the tips. I'm looking forward to it. I've wanted to go for quite awhile now.
Yeah both weekends have good bands. I'll be there that first weekend but I do wish Gary Clark Jr. would swap weekends.
food recs
You really can't go wrong with any of the jazz fest food, but here are a few of my faves:
Pheasant, Quail & Andouille Gumbo
Cochon de lait poboy
Crawfish enchiladas
I also 2nd the bringing in water and airplane shots of vodka (mix with the lemonade or mandarin tea).
You really can't go wrong with any of the jazz fest food, but here are a few of my faves:
Pheasant, Quail & Andouille Gumbo
Cochon de lait poboy
Crawfish enchiladas
I also 2nd the bringing in water and airplane shots of vodka (mix with the lemonade or mandarin tea).
You're welcome...
Couple more...
Wear comfortable clothes/shoes. It's not a fashion show. It always amazes me when I see women in "fancy" jeans and high heels. If it rains at all leading up to JF, wear shoes you don't care about ruining because the infield of the fairgrounds will turn into a mud pit.
Also, wear a hat.
Bring plenty of cash with you. None of the food/drink vendors take credit cards. There are some ATMs on site but I've had fraudulent charges on my account after using them twice in the last few years.
Couple more...
Wear comfortable clothes/shoes. It's not a fashion show. It always amazes me when I see women in "fancy" jeans and high heels. If it rains at all leading up to JF, wear shoes you don't care about ruining because the infield of the fairgrounds will turn into a mud pit.
Also, wear a hat.
Bring plenty of cash with you. None of the food/drink vendors take credit cards. There are some ATMs on site but I've had fraudulent charges on my account after using them twice in the last few years.
Am I allowed to bring in any water? I think I read somewhere that a 1 liter bottle is allowed.
This is kinda deviating away from jazz fest but along the lines of your hat suggestion. I wore a Dolphins (grew up in Florida) hat first time I ever went to Nola and got comments constantly. Nothing bad mostly people saying who dat but I was just amazed at the passion of saints fans. It's almost college like. I've been in Boston and New York with dolphins stuff on without anyone saying a word. I just thought it was cool. Saints have been my number 2 team ever since then.
The Cubes are out..
http://lineup.nojazzfest.com/events/2016/04/22/
Be sure to go hear some music on the smaller stages and tents, there is much more to the fest than just the Acura and Gentilly stages.
Be sure to bring a small collapsible cooler and unopened water bottles. You can sneak in clear liquor in them if you are smart.
I always wear running shoes, bring an extra t shirt and a backpack with wipes and hand sanitizer.
We always drive and park near Bayou St. John at Orleans or you can pay for a spot closer to fairgrounds.
The cab line will be long, I am sure Uber would be a good option also.
Some of the best music is at night and not even at the Fest.
http://www.jazzfestgrids.com/first_weekend/
Fest Food http://www.nojazzfest.com/food/
Crawfish bread
Crawfish Sack and Beignets
Natchitoches Meat Pie
Crawfish enchiladas
Crawfish Strudel
Crawfish Monica
Shrimp tacos
Fried soft shell crab po-boy
Homemade ice cream pie
Lemon ice
Enjoy....
http://lineup.nojazzfest.com/events/2016/04/22/
Be sure to go hear some music on the smaller stages and tents, there is much more to the fest than just the Acura and Gentilly stages.
Be sure to bring a small collapsible cooler and unopened water bottles. You can sneak in clear liquor in them if you are smart.
I always wear running shoes, bring an extra t shirt and a backpack with wipes and hand sanitizer.
We always drive and park near Bayou St. John at Orleans or you can pay for a spot closer to fairgrounds.
The cab line will be long, I am sure Uber would be a good option also.
Some of the best music is at night and not even at the Fest.
http://www.jazzfestgrids.com/first_weekend/
Fest Food http://www.nojazzfest.com/food/
Crawfish bread
Crawfish Sack and Beignets
Natchitoches Meat Pie
Crawfish enchiladas
Crawfish Strudel
Crawfish Monica
Shrimp tacos
Fried soft shell crab po-boy
Homemade ice cream pie
Lemon ice
Enjoy....
Pour water out; insert vodka. Bring a bag chair. Set the chair down to the right side as you look at the Acura stage if possible. You'll be closer to the bathroom. Big bands mean Big Crowds. If you are a freak with crowds, take a Xanex, seriously. Go early and hit either Luizza's by the Track for a bloody or hit the Seahorse Saloon on opposite side of track. Hit Seahorse after the bands quit. Use Uber. Do not use the cab stand. It will be the worse hour or two in your life. Go to Seahorse and party like a rock star until 9. Bands quit around 6:30 to 7 on average. Agree with all of the food recommendations. One that is not listed Ya Ka Mein. For those who haven't tried it, check it out. It's nickname is Old Sober. Supposed to get rid of a hangover. All I know is that it's damn good. Tied with the pheasant gumbo. Another thing is to go by the bookstore in the middle of the place. Sometimes, they will have celebrities in there and nobody knows. I went by one year and they had the entire cast of HBO Treme in there. Talked to them for good 15 minutes. Last, GO TO THE GOSPEL TENT!!!!! Can't emphasize this enough. It can bring you to tears. Especially if you are hung over. And try to see one of the bigger groups. All I can say about it is go watch Blues Brothers and when James Brown holds court in the church-it's easily comparable to that. If you can afford the VIP pass, get it also. Big bands will have 150 to 200K in the crowd. I watch Elton John last year and it was the largest crowd ever. Crazy to the point of not fun. Couldn't move to get to the bathrooms. People were just peeing in their pants. Last, get there when the gates open and enjoy the day. It's one of the funnest things you can do in New Orleans.
I apparently have gotten old. Nothing about what listed is appealing to me. If anything it's list of reasons not to go.
Get off my lawn.**
Get off my lawn.**
Revivalists
^This, they definitely are a great show. They have been to Jackson a handful of times and I've probably seen them about 8 times and I've never been disappointed. We're going for at least the first weekend and, although no even close to my favorite festival, it's got a pretty good lineup and a few I've been interested in checking out for awhile.
^This, they definitely are a great show. They have been to Jackson a handful of times and I've probably seen them about 8 times and I've never been disappointed. We're going for at least the first weekend and, although no even close to my favorite festival, it's got a pretty good lineup and a few I've been interested in checking out for awhile.
https://www.offbeat.com/news/roots-announce-jazz-fest-show/
I have friends that never make it to the fairgrounds, but just hit the night shows..
The Roots just announced.
Dead Feat
Greyboy Allstars
Foundations of Funk
Cypress Hill
The Word
Fiya Fest
Joe Russo's Almost Dead
Los Lobos
Vodo Dead II
Dumpstaphunk
I have friends that never make it to the fairgrounds, but just hit the night shows..
The Roots just announced.
Dead Feat
Greyboy Allstars
Foundations of Funk
Cypress Hill
The Word
Fiya Fest
Joe Russo's Almost Dead
Los Lobos
Vodo Dead II
Dumpstaphunk
Warren Haynes will preform the Last Waltz by the Band...
“Last Waltz New Orleans” will see Haynes and Was joined by John Medeski (keys), George Porter Jr. (bass), Terence Higgins (drums), Dave Malone (guitar), Jamey Johnson (guitar) Mark Mullins (trombone) and more.
https://www.offbeat.com/news/warren-haynes-lead-jazz-fest-tribute-bands-last-waltz/
“Last Waltz New Orleans” will see Haynes and Was joined by John Medeski (keys), George Porter Jr. (bass), Terence Higgins (drums), Dave Malone (guitar), Jamey Johnson (guitar) Mark Mullins (trombone) and more.
https://www.offbeat.com/news/warren-haynes-lead-jazz-fest-tribute-bands-last-waltz/
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