By Max Stewart
It has been said before and will be said again, but there is truly nothing like the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival for live music fans. In the most unique city in the U.S. in New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, surrounded by top tier musicians from every corner of the musical universe with music virtually non-stop for two weeks.
It was actually my first time at Jazz Fest, and I completely get it. One of my best friends is a local and has been begging me for 10+ years to get down there and for whatever reason I have not been able to make the trip until this year. I can say honestly that the hype is all worth it, it is one of the (if not the) coolest musical events in the country. In addition to the actual festival which has mainstream artists, jazz artists, blues artists, world music and everything in between, the ‘late night’ shows are so unique and curate to live music fans. Seeing one of a kind collaborations until the wee hours of the night, what more could a live music fan want?
It was very hard to pin down but here are a few highlights of the second weekend, Even with some rain on Thursday and Friday, the party marched on and made for unreal weather on Saturday and Sunday to close out the weekend. Will definitely see you next year!
Tedeschi Trucks Band with Appearances by Warren Haynes, Jaimoe and Marc Quiñones of Allman Brothers, George Porter Jr., and Teddy Swims: Tedeschi Trucks Band closed out Jazz Fest with Warren Haynes, Jaimoe and Marc Quiñones from Allman Brothers Band to perform “Dreams” and “Whipping Post.” This moment truly got me to to tear up in the pit while photographing the band. A beautiful way to end an incredible weekend. Derek Trucks’ guitar playing during the extended jams felt spiritual at points, while Susan Tedeschi’s soulful vocals grounded the entire performance with warmth and grit. Throw in George Porter Jr.’s unmistakable New Orleans groove too during “Everyday People” and “You Can Make it if You Try”, and it became one of those rare festival sets that people will still be talking about years from now.
Sierra Hull’s Calming Yet Virtuosic Set: Sierra Hull’s show feels like a warm blanket on a quiet evening. And her intricate mandolin ability and tender vocals make for a powerful combination live. It was a perfect set on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Nola. Even in the middle of the sensory overload that is Jazz Fest, her set created a peaceful little universe of its own.
Steve Earle and Anders Osborne, An Unexpected But Fantastic Collaboration: Steve Earle’s grizzled songwriting paired beautifully with Anders Osborne’s swampy New Orleans soul, creating one of the weekend’s most surprisingly natural musical pairings. The two traded verses and guitar lines like old friends on a back porch, blending Nashville grit with Crescent City funk in a way that felt tailor-made for Jazz Fest.
Celebrating the Great Col. Bruce Hampton on His Birthday: Widespread Panic performed on Col. Bruce Hampton’s birthday (with a photo of him on stage in front of Duane Trucks’ drumset) and there was a late night set at the Maple Leaf Bar that included Kevin Scott, Terance Higgins, Rick Lollar, Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, Jake Eckert, Eric McFadden, C.R. Gruvern, Matt Slocum and others. The celebration carried the weird, joyful, unpredictable spirit that Col. Bruce himself embodied for decades, with musicians feeding off one another in gloriously chaotic fashion. It felt less like a tribute concert and more like a living continuation of Hampton’s musical philosophy: fearless improvisation, humor, community, and absolute freedom.
Fred Wesley and the J.B.’s – A True Legend: Watching Fred Wesley command the stage felt like stepping directly into a chapter of funk history, with the legendary trombonist still delivering razor-sharp grooves decades after his work with James Brown. The J.B.’s locked into impossibly tight rhythms, proving that timeless funk music still hits with the force of a freight train live.
The Black Keys in the Pouring Rain: Torrential rain did little to slow down The Black Keys, who powered through their set with a raw garage-rock intensity that almost felt enhanced by the weather. Dan Auerbach’s fuzzy guitar tones and Patrick Carney’s pounding drums turned the Fair Grounds into a muddy, joyous rock-and-roll revival. It was also the release day of their album ‘Peaches’ and they even had a record signing at Peaches Records in New Orleans after the set and a Record Hang that night as well.
The Local Icon Deacon John on the WWOZ Jazz Tent: Deacon John reminded everyone why he remains one of the most beloved figures in New Orleans music, effortlessly mixing blues, R&B, and pure charisma under the Jazz Tent. His set felt less like a performance and more like a neighborhood celebration led by a living cultural treasure.
Widespread Panic’s Early Afternoon Set Before the Storms with Dirty Dozen Brass Band: Widespread Panic transformed an early afternoon slot into a full-fledged street party, opening with “Ain’t Life Grand” and getting through a setlist before the storms took over later in the day with Nick Johnson on guitar filling in for Jimmy Herring. There was added firepower of Roger Lewis and Gerorgy Davis of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band on the tunes “Fishwater” and “Arleen”, and CR Gruver sat in on those tunes and “Bust it Big.” The fusion of Panic’s deep Southern jam grooves with the brass band’s second-line energy created one of the most unmistakably New Orleans moments of the weekend. As noted above, honoring Col. Bruce with “I’m So Glad” on his birthday really got the weekend’s energy off on the right foot.
The Meters Reunion on 5/2 at the Saenger Theatre: Seeing surviving members of The Meters (George Porter Jr., Leo Nocentelli, and Zigaboo Modeliste) reunite at the historic Saenger Theatre was no doubt a once-in-a-generation New Orleans music moment. Even before the show started, the New Orleans Mayor declared 5/2 “The Meters Day” in New Orleans, proving the weight their music has on the city. The setlist itself was a masterclass in groove, with classics like “Cissy Strut,” “People Say,” and “Fire on the Bayou” sending waves of energy through the packed theater as Porter’s endlessly deep basslines, Nocentelli’s signature funky guitar work, and Zigaboo’s impossibly-unique drumming reminded everyone why the band helped invent the sound of modern funk music. Cyril Neville even came out for a few tunes, including the classic “No More Okey Doke.” Ivan Neville kept the reigns secured on keys in honor of his late uncle, Art Neville.
There were rumors swirling of who might sit in as the original bill promised “Very Special Guests.” When Oteil Burbridge came out for “Hey Pocky A-Way” with dueling bass alongside Porter, it was already unreal. Then with the added guitar of Warren Haynes for “Just Kissed My Baby”, it could not get better right? But somehow, someway, after performing the National Anthem at the Kentucky Derby, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi also joined for the final tune, “It Ain’t No Use” with everyone on stage. It was a magic musical moment and maybe one the best we have ever seen given the weight of the Meters’ sound and the special guests.
Joe Walsh Keeping the Edge for the Eagles: Joe Walsh proved that age has done nothing to dull his sharp wit or signature guitar swagger, delivering solos that still sounded wonderfully loose and dangerous during the Eagles’ fine-tuned set. He has always been the most ‘rock n roll’ of the band, and his tunes were welcomed additions for their set. Even in a festival packed with virtuoso players, Walsh’s blend of humor, chaos, and pure rock-and-roll instinct stood out immediately on songs like James Gang’s “Funk #49.”
Galactic Always Bringing the House Down in Nola: Galactic are mainstays of New Orleans, and they even own the iconic Tipitina’s in town (where they performed on Friday night). Galactic once again demonstrated why they are such a cornerstone of the New Orleans music scene, blending funk, jazz, rock, and soul into one nonstop dance party alongside the fantastic Jelly Joseph on vocals.
Kevin Scott, the MVP of Jazz Fest, With an Unreal Run of Shows: Kevin Scott, who currently plays with Gov’t Mule and has played with Col. Bruce Hampton amongst many others, had an all-time Jazz Fest run including a Sunrise Jam at 5:30 AM with Rick Lollar, Eddie Christmas, and CR Gruver. Somehow Scott seemed to be everywhere at once throughout the week, jumping from Gov’t Mule show to late-night improvisational throwdowns to house party sets without ever losing energy. He did 11 gigs in 4 days! His musical versatility and seemingly endless stamina made him one of the undeniable connective tissues of the entire festival experience.
DeadFeat with Little Feat, Anders Osborne and Jackie Greene: Seeing the surviving members of the criminally-underrated Little Feat play alongside Osborne and Jackie Greene was truly something special, as tunes like “Dixie Chicken” and “Fat Man in the Bathtub” worked seamlessly alongside Grateful Dead tunes like “Sugaree” and “Fire on the Mountain.” The combination highlighted just how naturally Little Feat’s funky, rootsy songwriting overlaps with the exploratory spirit of the Dead’s catalog. Anders Osborne brought his signature New Orleans grit while Jackie Greene added soaring guitar work and soulful vocals that tied the whole collaboration together beautifully alongside Little Feat members Bill Payne, Kenny Gradney, and Fred Tackett.
The Rumble at Bayou Rendezvous: The Rumble brought a fiery blend of Mardi Gras Indian traditions, funk, soul, and brass-band energy that felt completely inseparable from the spirit of New Orleans itself. Led by Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr., the group balanced deep cultural roots with a modern edge, creating a set that was both a celebration of heritage and an all-out dance party at Bayou Rendezvous.
Bayou Rendezvous Show with JoJo Hermann and Sunny Ortiz from Widespread Panic: JoJo Hermann and Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz of Widespread Panic performing “Hey Pocky Way” by The Meters with Big Chief Juan Pardo (@bigchiefjuanpardo), Kirk Joseph (@kirk_sousaphunk), Jake Eckert (@jakeeckert), Eddie Christmas (@eddie_christmas), and Brad Walker (@thisisbradwalker) at the Bayou Rendezvous. Even 16 year old phenom River Eckert joined them on keys at the end of the set. The performance perfectly captured the communal magic that makes late-night Jazz Fest shows so beloved, with musicians from different scenes locking into one massive groove together. Seeing Panic members fully immerse themselves in classic New Orleans funk alongside local legends made the set feel authentically-rooted in the city’s musical heartbeat.
The Heavyweights featuring Cory Henry, Eric Krasno, Robert “Sput” Searight: The Heavyweights opened The Meters reunion show at The Saenger Theatre and also performed at The Joy Theater. The new supergroup have already dialed in a dynamic chemistry for a power trio… as Walter in the Big Lebowski famously put it: “Not exactly a lightweight.” That’s our takeaway on the band’s powerful sound, we can’t want wait to see them out on the road again.
New Orleans’ Mainstays Dumpstaphunk: Dumpstaphunk delivered exactly the kind of deep, infectious funk that feels essential to the spirit of New Orleans itself with the iconic Ivan Neville at the reigns. With towering bass grooves, razor-tight musicianship, and nonstop energy, their set turned the Fair Grounds into one giant dance floor and reminded everyone why they remain one of the city’s most beloved live bands. They evened ended the festival with a show at Tipitina’s on Sunday evening.
Dragon Smoke All Over the City: Dragon Smoke once again proved why their rare Jazz Fest performances have become the stuff of legend among festival diehards. The supergroup’s blend of Stanton Moore’s explosive drumming, Eric Lindell’s soulful grit, Ivan Neville’s funk mastery, and Rob Mercurio’s grooves created a loose yet fiery atmosphere that felt perfectly built for New Orleans. They played a late night set at Tipitina’s and at the Fairgrounds before the Black Keys’ soaked set.
Herbie Hancock is a Jazz Legend of Legends: Watching Herbie Hancock perform at Jazz Fest felt like witnessing a living piece of modern music history in real time. Even decades into his career, Hancock continues to push boundaries with fearless creativity, effortlessly moving between jazz, funk, fusion, and avant-garde experimentation while keeping the audience completely mesmerized.
Trombone Shorty Closing it Down: Trombone Shorty brought his trademark blend of brass-band swagger, rock-star charisma, and hometown pride to one of the weekend’s most celebratory performances to close out the festival. Few artists embody the modern spirit of New Orleans music more completely, and seeing the local icon command a massive Jazz Fest crowd felt both triumphant and deeply personal for the city.
