IN THE SPOTLIGHT
The Rolling Stones are set to play New Orleans Jazz Fest 2024
NEW ORLEANS >> It looks like the third time is the charm as the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage festival prepares, again, for The Rolling Stones to perform.
The festival, which spans two weekends, opened Thursday with dozens of acts playing daily on 14 stages spread throughout the historic Fair Grounds race course. The Stones play Thursday, tickets for which have long been sold out.
In 2019, festival organizers thought they had landed the legendary rock band, but the appearance was canceled because lead singer Mick Jagger had heart surgery. They tried again in 2021, but a surge in COVID-19 cases ultimately forced the fest to cancel.
Now, says festival producer Quint Davis, “It’s gonna be special.”
This will be the first time the Stones play Jazz Fest.
Opening day acts included rock bands Widespread Panic and The Beach Boys, reggae artist Stephen Marley and jazz vocalist John Boutte.
“The talent is great, the weather is projected to be good, and people’s expectations are going to be met,” Davis said.
Blue skies, sunshine and temperatures in the 80s greeted opening day on Thursday. Similar weather was expected for the rest of the first weekend, which runs through Sunday and showcases performances by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jon Batiste, country megastar Chris Stapleton, R&B singer Fantasia, rock band Heart, Cajun fiddler Amanda Shaw and The Cute Guys, jazz pianist Patrice Rushen, and blues and folk artist Ruthie Foster.