New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2018 Weekend One: Photos

Images by: Adam McCullough

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Weekend One
04.27-29.18 :: New Orleans, LA

Sunny skies, incredible food and a diverse and impressive array of musical acts from around with country with a focus on the Crescent City punctuated Weekend One of the 49th annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival this past Friday through Sunday. The Fairgrounds in New Orleans hosted the first half of the famed event, which started on Friday with a full schedule highlighted by performances from Sturgill Simpson, Sting, Steel Pulse, Eric Lindell, Jon Cleary and Big Chief Donald Harrison. Sturgill added local flavor by welcoming members of New Orleans dance crew 610 Stompers, while Sting mixed Police classics and gems from his solo career. One of the standout moments on Saturday was an all-star tribute to the late Fats Domino featuring an all-star array of contributors that included Big Sam, Bonnie Raitt, Davell Crawford, Irma Thomas, Jon Batiste and more performing some of Fats’ most beloved songs such as “Going To The River,” “Ain’t That A Shame” and “Blueberry Hill.” Rod Stewart, who filled in for Aretha Franklin, focused on the hits to close out the Acura Stage on Saturday following a busy day of sets all around the Fairgrounds from Big Freedia, Original Pinettes Brass Band, Bonerama, Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience, Common, Bonnie Raitt and many more.

David Byrne headlined the Gentilly Stage on Sunday as he brought his 12-piece band to New Orleans for an untethered set. Byrne treated the crowd to six songs from the recently released American Utopia, material from other solo projects, a cover of Janelle Monáe’s “Hell You Talmbout” and Talking Heads favorites such as “Once In A Lifetime,” “Slippery People” and “Burning Down The House.” Meanwhile, Jimmy Buffett welcomed ukulele wiz Jake Shimabukuro and ace slide guitarist Sonny Landreth as part of his Acura Stage-closing performance. Other Sunday sets included Erica Falls, Jon Batiste & The Dap-Kings, Sweet Crude, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & The Golden Eagles Mardi Gras Indians, Chocolate Milk, Tab Benoit, George Benson, John Mayall and Irma Thomas. Photographer Adam McCullough was in New Orleans, view his photos from the first weekend of Jazz Fest:

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