This weekend, the AU returns to New Orleans to cover Jazz Fest for the event’s second weekend of 2014, and our second time covering the event (look back on our coverage two years ago). The first weekend’s three days has already seen acts like Eric Clapton, Robert Plant and Phish come through the festival’s massive twelve stages. And here how are five acts we can’t wait for over the final four days of the event, this weekend.
5. Arcade Fire
With a 3 o’clock slot on the event’s closing day, in front of a relatively older crowd than their used to, something tells me we’re going to get a slightly different sent from the Montreal eight piece, recently in Australia for Big Day Out. I personally can’t get enough of these guys, and here’s hoping they bring some more confetti along for the ride.
4. Alabama Shakes
It’s been a couple of years now since this explosive group appeared on the scene, and with a new record eagerly anticipated (and due out later this year), we’re excited to see Brittany and her electric group on action once again; hopefully with a taste of their new stuff along the way!
3. Irma Thomas
After performing on the main (Acura) stage over the event’s first weekend, the legendary soul singer will return to Jazz Fest to perform in the more intimate surrounds of the gospel tent this weekend – one of our favourite stages at the festival. Last weekend she performed classics in front of tens of thousands of people like “(You Can Have My Husband But) Don’t Mess With My Man”, and though we’d expect something similar on Friday, the intimate nature of the seated Gospel tent will make for a whole other experience all together. Her incredible voice is going to turn that venue into quite the celebration…
2. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Jazz Fest is nothing if not for its traditions, and one of the longest lasting has been The Neville Brothers closing out the festival’s main stage. This was broken last year with local superstar Trombone Shorty taking over the iconic spot, while Aaron Neville will represent the brothers to once again close the Blues Tent, with brother Charles Neville on saxophone. Having just had Aaron in Australia for Bluesfest, we know that will be an amazing performance, but it’s Shorty who we can’t wait for. Having skipped Bluesfest this year, it’s a special treat indeed to see he and his band playing in front of a hometown crowd. Expect high energy, a whole lotta brass and maybe a taste of some new material?
1. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Playing on the Saturday of the second weekend, in what is traditionally the festival’s biggest day (in 2012 we saw Eagles in the same slot), are recent Australian visitors Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. It wasn’t all that long ago that the group were at Jazz Fest – first weekend of 2012 remains a much talked about event – but this scheduled two and a half plus hour Saturday afternoon performance is understandably the most anticipated of the weekend. And even though we didn’t see him too long ago back home, we can’t wait either. As this festival ends daily at 7pm, seeing The Boss in his home country, with the sun beating down, will be a special experience indeed.
Special Mention: Christina Aguilera
We also have to pay a special mention to Christina Aguilera, who’s headlining the Friday afternoon spot. We’re not sure why she’s playing the prestigious event given her pop persuasions… But these organizers never “guess” on what will work at the event. So we have to trust them on this one. We’ll definitely be checking her out.
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Stay tuned to the AU for continuing coverage direct from New Orleans! And for more on the famous festival, head to their official website: http://www.nojazzfest.com/
