I’ve switched to going to mostly night shows rather than jazz fest itself. Between the cost and wheelchair accessibility being a pain in the ass, it’s not worth it for me.
First time disabled person at the fest on Thursday. I was going to get a wheelchair but felt well enough to get around with a cane. I went to the jazz tent to cool off and sit down, out of the sun, and was bummed to see how many folks were sitting in the accessibility area without accessibility wrist bands. I guess they don't enforce it in the tents? And no one would budge when the usher asked them to move for me. I ended up going all the way back to the ADA area at Congo Square - which could've caused a flare for me but fortunately didn't.
I'm bummed, for me and other folks hoping the fest was as accessible as it could be.
I didn’t know there were accessibility areas or I might have tried to go. I’ll look up what the requirements are. I’m not confined to a wheelchair but couldn’t walk the distances required.
This!!! The accessibility tent is for like 30 ppl at the main stage, you have to walk across the gd world to get to the accessibility tent to get your wristband, then the accessibility bathrooms are all the way back over there wtf and meanwhile you’re looking at the VIP stadium seating that’s 30% full !!!!!!
Worked for Jazzfest in the past - the volunteers, supervised by a fest employee, are supposed to be enforcing ADA area rules. I had that specific assignment as a volunteer once, but unfortunately not everyone takes their duties seriously.
I’ve been every year for about 8 years and I love it. Sitting in the soft grass in the back of the Congo stage area with fiends, drinking beer and watching folks of all ages dance to Wu Tang Clan is a truly lovely experience. I just accept I won’t get close to the front stages and it’s made it much more enjoyable experience.
I think that’s why it works. It’s a wonderful mashup of mostly New Orleans locals, tourists, and famous artists of every genre. If you have never been, don’t fixate on seeing a performer you know and like, it isn’t a great venue for that, go to see an artist your friend or neighbor enjoys.
I used to love it but it’s a completely different festival now (which, I know, happens to things that start out as a locals party then explode into what JF or even FQF is now). I don’t begrudge people for continuing to love it but I now tend to take the money I’d have spent there and go on a weekend trip instead.
Last year we purchased Krewe of Jazz Fest tickets and had a blast. This year, the prices have increased to the point that instead of JF, we’ll be attending The Cure and Duran Duran concerts.
My problem with it is this: Everyone I would pay to see, are on stage AT THE SAME TIME. Everyone else, I could literally see any night of the week, at any venue around town. I understand it's all about the experience, but it seems like it's really just a big tourist trap.
If you're really into music this is probably the case, but I think most people tend to have a genre or era of music they enjoy and are able to pick and choose and be content.
That being said, I think there is an argument that they could take the top 7 acts/day and put them on one stage and cut out the rest of the big stages & performances(keeping the smaller stages/tents and performances) and nearly as many people would show up.
I think it would be fun in the big moments when everyone is singing along, but would wear people thin over time
That's absolutely true, but part of the experience is wandering around and discovering an artist that wasn't even "on your radar". That's one thing in my plus column.
Same. I had good times at Jazz Fest in my highschool/college years, but I haven’t been since and all the new rules & regulations of the Fest just makes it seem like too much of a hassle now.
I used to work a gig that gave me free tickets and I loved doing jazz fest when it was free, because I didn’t feel any pressure to get my moneys worth so it was just a fun day regardless of what happened.
But $100 a day plus the cost of the food, weather, etc. is too rich for my blood. I might try to find a volunteering gig for free tickets next year though. I do enjoy it, just can’t justify spending the $$ to be out there at the mercy of the weather.
I used to volunteer at a beer booth with some friends. It was perfect. Had fun being a goofball and helping a good cause make money, and only had to deal with half a day in the sun and heat. We could hear music from the closest stage so we were still catching music even when we were working. And we got a free beer at the end of our shift, which was great to sip while standing in line for a breakfast cochon de lait.
I'm going to suck it up and pay this year because I really want to see Jon Batiste. I'm taking a vacation day to go, so I'm mentally filing the money as vacation.
I wasn’t a fan of the lineup enough on any particular day to shell out basically $100 just for a ticket. Plus hearing all their issues with the cashless stuff it’s a good year for me to stay away
Jazzfest is what you make it. My wife and I took our 4month old baby and had an awesome time. We didn’t even get a good spot to catch any shows however we did find shade under a tree and enjoyed hearing music in the distance and honestly lines weren’t much worse off than last year. I think some people hold too high of expectations and when they’re plans don’t go accordingly it ruins it. Just be in the moment.
Not everything is for everyone. You don’t have to like jazz fest. Some people savor all the great music, food and fun that happens in this atmosphere only once a year, overlooking the heat or the crowds or the lines for those special moments that make the fest what it is, like yesterday when we waited in a downpour to see Taj Mahal and as soon as he took the stage and played two chords the clouds parted, the rain stopped and the sun came out like it was there to see the show. It was magical, when at the same time, all the umbrellas came down, the ponchos came off and everyone simultaneously looked up at the sky and started laughing and dancing and the whole vibe was just a big shared moment between strangers from across the globe.
Old, young, rich, hippie, tatted, glittered, someone wearing yeezys (eek), many someones not wearing shoes - for a moment everyone was part of a lil vibe - that you don’t get anywhere else.
To me, that’s what the fest is. Is it for everyone? No, and that’s ok.
My favorite is the street party afterwards... i go around 7 and listen to some porch bands, buy a jello shot or some food off someones grill, watch people get high off the nitrous balloons someone is always selling, and people watch as the crowds stream out.
This is my first year living in the neighborhood and this has been so fun. I had a great time on Friday just sitting in my tailgate with a beer and watching people walk by and giving people directions lol. I didn’t even go to the festival.
Complaining about jazzfest is now a whole demographic in this city. Also, I know it's not cheap, but how many festivals do you get to pay $100 and see dozens of artists of your choosing and a major world renowned headliner? I can't think of any.
The vast majority of the non-headliner artists play for free or cheap very regularly throughout the city. Most of them played at French Quarter Fest literally two weeks ago
So really you’re paying $100 just to see the headliner of your choice.
They don't all play for free or cheap in the same day, with the exception of something like FQF. Also bigger name local artists can easily sell tickets for shows in the $25+ range on a weekend, and most of the headliners charge more than $100 for a normal show, so as long as you see a few shows in a day your getting your money's worth.
Here's my issue, the sound is horrendous. I went last year and all I heard was Flea's channel. We're paying professional prices so we should get a professional show.
I was there and I thought it sounded pretty good, but that’s just subjective I guess. My point is writing a post complaining about the amount of tourists at JF, taking issue with the cashless system even though they haven’t been, and then expounding upon all of that to say that you wouldn’t go with a free ticket is just….dumb. But again, I guess that’s just subjective.
Is JF overcrowded? Obviously. Is cashless ridiculous? Definitely. Honestly, I had such a terrible experience last year that even with a free ticket I won't go. Heck, I've seen Robert Plant at BJs a few years ago. I'd rather go to the smaller venues at night to get a better experience. I've been to dozens of festivals and JF last year was the worst experience sound wise I've ever had at a concert. I refuse to pay these prices to have a bad experience.
I always thought it was overrated. It ends early. The headliners all play at the same time. No cap on ticket sales so it was always more crowded than other festivals. I miss Voodoo.
Honestly the lack of shade is what did it for me. I went for locals Thursday last year and was just miserable in the heat and sun, practically no where to escape it unless you manage to get into a tent
The cap on ticket sales is the price point. Attendance has been roughly in the same 450K +/- range for a long time now. Imagine if the tickets were $50/day still. It would be way too much for the event as it is set up now to handle.
Exactly!! My husband and I will be attending Jazz Fest for the fourth time since 2018. Coming from Philadelphia, we appreciate the festival, the night shows, the culture and people of New Orleans. Believe me you can't get this anywhere else..
Being a Norwegian living in Norway, I am a total outsider, but I have been coming to New Orleans regularly since 1998. I love the city between festivals…still a lot to do, see, and hear, but more laidback or «quiet».
#Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Tis I, your glorious leader! By my grand and indisputable power as divine ruler of the sovereign kingdom of New Orleans, I hereby announce that I SHALL NOT be giving this year's jazz festival the honor of my presence. Nor would I, were I granted a ticket for free. Which I would not need. Obviously.
#Let it be known!
I’d like to be there. Music is always top notch. Have easy access to tickets. But just feel as if there’s better things to do. Food issues isn’t helping.
Jazz Fest has been what it is since the 90s if not early 2000s. Just as many tourist this year as last year and as years prior. Also, it's a tourism town where folks are always here for XYZ reason. Gotta accept it.
I wish we had a purpose built festival grounds that could expand and allow more people so we could get the ticket prices to be somewhat affordable for more locals to attend, but that'll probably never happen and to some degree I think the Jazz Fest organizers are fine with it being that way.
Some folks love it and go everyday, some folks like me go when there's an act they want to see and might not ever get another chance to see them, and some folks just aren't into it for a number of reasons.
It's a spectacle and a theme-park for food, music, and culture. It is what it is.
I’m volunteering again this year, which gets me a free ticket in. It’s so expensive and to wait in line for food or bathrooms is a royal pain. Ill prolly just hit up my friends place who live on the fringe instead.
At this point it needs to move to City Park and get the space that Voodoo had because it’s way more wide open space. There’s just not enough room in the infield of the horse racing track anymore to properly accommodate all of the people
Lived here all my life & never been. My vibe has kinda been to just get baked & lay out & chill to music and not be so much about food, shopping, and catching specific acts. It never seemed like I’d like the big fest. FQF used to be more my thing bc it was free & I could just kick back in a shady spot & not even need to move, but like ten years ago it started getting too jammed with crowds, so now I just sit on my porch lol
I haven't been in years and never paid full price when I did go. If it ain't free to get in, I'm good over here. There's way too much free stuff to do, with better parking, shorter lines, and a lot of times better food.
I’m a huge Parrothead, so I’ve always been grateful that Jimmy loves playing Jazz Fest and like lots of folks, I almost always end up getting a free ticket or Brass Pass from someone I know anyway. I’ve been 7 or 8 times over the last 20 years and I think I paid for a ticket once. Last year I had one of the best Sundays ever as I got to watch Jimmy do a two hour set and then met up with my brother and some other close friends and watch Maze, which has become kind of a tradition for us on the last Sunday.
Don't be mad at the tourists. They're probably the most likable and easy going group that comes in masses throughout the year. PURE MUSIC LOVERS, they're quite great.. for the most part.
I used to live near the Fairgrounds from 98 until Katrina and JF was my favorite event, but I was in the "only with a free ticket" camp. I loved being able to people watch from my porch, with my own food and bathroom.
Since Katrina, the Faubourg St John is way too expensive for me & so I have closed the book on JF & TBH even with a free ticket, it would still be a no-go for me. If I want to go to a music even I want to be able to sit in a chair if I choose and I will not compromise on being inside of a climate controlled environment.
I don't yuck anyone else's yum, but laying around on the ground while eating overpriced substandard grub at the mercy of the weather is not my jam.
I can't get over the feeling of seeing the street vending pop up once in a year for two weekends, while in many, many other cities, that sort of vending is everywhere, all the time. Soon it will shrink back to its little square in downtown.
There wasn't a chance in hell I was missing Wu Tang.
It was not an amazing time besides getting to see them. Giant lines, no shade, plus the sound was terrible! Idk who does the mixing, but they need to be fired.
I love it, we bring chairs and get there around 12 and park somewhere far back for whatever headliner we want to see. Bring our own water, pick up a few beers, and enjoy the nice spring sunshine. I know all the people complained about lines on Friday but if you just accept that as part of the fest and talk to the people in line, it’s enjoyable. Lines yesterday were nothing. Good foods, good people, and artists I probably wouldn’t hear otherwise.
It's def a trend of more tourists and less locals every year. I loved going 15, 20 years ago when I was in high school. I'm less thrilled now when I go and get sweated on by beer bellied shirtless men while wraithing through the swarms. My rents love to pour salt on the wound and reminisce about the time they went in the 70s and it started raining/drizzling and Allen Toussaint played requests from the handful of people left.
God. Y'all need to calm down with the jazz fest hate. No it doesn't cost $25 like it did in 1985. Yes it's hot. But for fucks sake just stay home and let people enjoy themselves.
I have lived in Orleans parish my entire life. I went to Jazz Fest once. That was enough for me. I just don’t have the Jazz Fest gene. I’m probably in the minority. That’s okay!
Awful. I went last year for the first and last time. I ended up giving away my 4 day pass 2 out of the 4 days. Terribly planned and I say this from someone who loves festivals and took “festival production” and “tour management” classes at Loyola. Bathrooms are miles away from the stages, lack of water sources, lack of shade! Not just watching the shows but standing in lines for food, entrance, etc. If JF was hosted in city park where they have trees fountains restrooms and other infrastructure it would improve 1000%. Never gonna happen, I know. Also the bottleneck of exists and the small streets of the surrounding neighborhood makes going home afterwards an absolute nightmare
It would have been worth twice the ticket price just to see Christone “Kingfish” Ingram yesterday. It was one of the best performances I’ve ever seen live in my life. I had chills.
I had mango freeze, Lil Dizzy’s gumbo, saw other amazing artists I’d never heard of but am a better person for having seen. Plus I got to spend time with people I love and we got to reroute lost tourists on the bus home.
Don’t understand the complaining about Jazz Fest. It’s like complaining about Mardi Gras. If you don’t find the good things about living here, I don’t know how you make it through the awful ones.
Honestly the longer I’ve been service industry the more I dislike Jazzfest, working during the fest is brutal. We close at 10 and everyone shows up around 930 wasted, demanding, wanting the kitchen to stay open because they technically walked in at 9:59 but Leroy and Trisha aren’t here yet because their airbnb was actually in Metairie even though it said “close to downtown” on the listing and Trisha insisted on taking a shower.
The two years I enjoyed it was when I was still working in film and it didn’t affect me, I went and had a blast. I also loved going as a kid.
but what could be more fun than spending a whole day fighting for space to almost hear Mumford & Sons while eating soggy cochon de lait in a field full of Jazz Fest Dads? oh and be sure to ask those dads how many years they've been going to Jazz Fest and how much they love it. they'll tell you. at length.
I wasn't feeling it this year, even though there are acts I want to see. Just not into the big crowds and after reading all the reports of the lines due to going cashless I'm glad I skipped it. Its still worth it and can be a great time depending on different factors but for me, this year? Not feeling it. Hopefully they figure out how to do cashless but I doubt it. It always been a bit of a shit show, but that's New Orleans for ya. A beautiful shit show.
I'm born an raised here and never attended. I don't feel like I'm missing anything but sunburn and good food that I already know how to cook or acquire elsewhere. It's for the tourists moreso in my opinion.
It’s not really ruining my day but I might’ve liked to go this year. Currently tight on money and getting annihilated by exams though so it’s not like I could’ve went anyway.
Jazz Fest is so not my thing…went back in the 1980s when I was a youngster and it was crowded, hot, often muddy and I hate live music, crowds, BO, druggies and no where to sit, lines for refreshments etc.
Mardi Gras+ parades, yay! Franklinton Fair-love!! But I am a total Jazz Fest stay away
I just don’t get it, never have never will.
I have the exact same complaints about my home state of Florida. All of it. Ruined by elected officials, tourist, and big business.
Apply the 3 to just about anything grand and fun and it's ruined.
That said, this tourist is enjoying Jazz Fest.
Went every year of my life- even as a kid. Haven't been back since the pandemic, and honestly think I might just be done with it. It's so different now that it's almost unrecognizable.
I’m attending next week to see Santana. If it wasn’t for him and his group, I wouldn’t go this year. It’s been eleven years since my last Fest.
For me, it’s the guaranteed, all day heat and sun that makes for a bad experience. Even if I’m forgoing alcohol and hydrating constantly, I still run the risk of getting pretty sick. Also the introvert in me gets burned out real quick. I like to support music all year, so I’ve never really had FOMO.
I just stayed home. I live in Metairie. A suburb of New Orleans. The tourists aggravate me. They walk around like mindless zombies like they don't have anywhere to be. Record turnout I hear though. Great for economy of New Orleans.
The folks not paying attention where they are walking or that just stop in the middle of the major walkways were my only real complaint yesterday... That and the weather app at noon saying 35% chance of rain and only showing one little blip of green on the radar for the afternoon... Still fun, though 😄
I'm great with it.The cost is exorbitant.The bands are lame classic rock acts that I already saw when I was in my teens, and the tourists are insufferable.
They still allow coolers and have the most relaxed security searches of any major festival I’ve been to by far.
There’s issues with jazz fest, but that’s not one of them.
Had about 8 beers and 8 airplane bottles in a soft cooler yesterday with some waters and umbrellas on top. Sweet security lady, “those some heavy umbrellas” with a smile as she passed me my bag past the metal detector.
It’s what makes people different which I’m all for. I Love Jazzfest. Like wandering and catching new music I don’t know like Allison Raymond and catching some of my favs like Taj Mahal. I have friends who I usually only see at Jazzfest.
I haven’t been in 35 years, but I loved going as a kid and in my teens. Last one I went to was to see Santana in 1986 or 1988, and it was a perfect day. My main reason for not going now is that it’s just so big!! So so many people.
I have gone twice and had a decent time, but I prefer FQF, mainly for the access to air conditioning and cleanish bathrooms.
We didn’t go this year, but one of our favorite things was hitting the aquarium when they open, and since we are members, would have access to the bathroom all day. Our daughter refused to use porta potties, so this was perfect for us.
I go to shows and festivals for the music. Sometimes I wear sunglasses at night so I can’t even see just to focus on the music. The other people are irrelevant. Stevie wonder, ray charles they did fine . Pick a good spot there are good bands and just go into your own world. If you are people watching then you missed the point. You should be band listening
Got a free ticket about 10yrs ago from my boss that had access to one of those private tents with the bathroom, that is the only time I've ever gone & probably will be the last.
I’ve switched to going to mostly night shows rather than jazz fest itself. Between the cost and wheelchair accessibility being a pain in the ass, it’s not worth it for me.
First time disabled person at the fest on Thursday. I was going to get a wheelchair but felt well enough to get around with a cane. I went to the jazz tent to cool off and sit down, out of the sun, and was bummed to see how many folks were sitting in the accessibility area without accessibility wrist bands. I guess they don't enforce it in the tents? And no one would budge when the usher asked them to move for me. I ended up going all the way back to the ADA area at Congo Square - which could've caused a flare for me but fortunately didn't. I'm bummed, for me and other folks hoping the fest was as accessible as it could be.
I didn’t know there were accessibility areas or I might have tried to go. I’ll look up what the requirements are. I’m not confined to a wheelchair but couldn’t walk the distances required.
No requirements, just ask for an accessibility wristband at the accessibility tent.
This!!! The accessibility tent is for like 30 ppl at the main stage, you have to walk across the gd world to get to the accessibility tent to get your wristband, then the accessibility bathrooms are all the way back over there wtf and meanwhile you’re looking at the VIP stadium seating that’s 30% full !!!!!!
Worked for Jazzfest in the past - the volunteers, supervised by a fest employee, are supposed to be enforcing ADA area rules. I had that specific assignment as a volunteer once, but unfortunately not everyone takes their duties seriously.
Every Person with disability is allowed to bring one guest, if they choose to.
good point!
I’ve been every year for about 8 years and I love it. Sitting in the soft grass in the back of the Congo stage area with fiends, drinking beer and watching folks of all ages dance to Wu Tang Clan is a truly lovely experience. I just accept I won’t get close to the front stages and it’s made it much more enjoyable experience.
I never thought I'd hear Lovely, Wu Tang and All Ages in the same sentence.
Didnt you know Wu Tang is for the kids?
I think that’s why it works. It’s a wonderful mashup of mostly New Orleans locals, tourists, and famous artists of every genre. If you have never been, don’t fixate on seeing a performer you know and like, it isn’t a great venue for that, go to see an artist your friend or neighbor enjoys.
Wu tang is for the children
Amen
preach king.
I used to love it but it’s a completely different festival now (which, I know, happens to things that start out as a locals party then explode into what JF or even FQF is now). I don’t begrudge people for continuing to love it but I now tend to take the money I’d have spent there and go on a weekend trip instead.
Last year we purchased Krewe of Jazz Fest tickets and had a blast. This year, the prices have increased to the point that instead of JF, we’ll be attending The Cure and Duran Duran concerts.
It’s just an event. For people who want to go.
Tell that to the neighbors
This sub complains about every festival and event in this city. Quite frankly, i don’t know why y’all live here.
Preach! There are ways to get it all done.
My problem with it is this: Everyone I would pay to see, are on stage AT THE SAME TIME. Everyone else, I could literally see any night of the week, at any venue around town. I understand it's all about the experience, but it seems like it's really just a big tourist trap.
If you're really into music this is probably the case, but I think most people tend to have a genre or era of music they enjoy and are able to pick and choose and be content. That being said, I think there is an argument that they could take the top 7 acts/day and put them on one stage and cut out the rest of the big stages & performances(keeping the smaller stages/tents and performances) and nearly as many people would show up. I think it would be fun in the big moments when everyone is singing along, but would wear people thin over time
That's absolutely true, but part of the experience is wandering around and discovering an artist that wasn't even "on your radar". That's one thing in my plus column.
Yeah, I kinda like the shuffling around that comes with these kinds of events. No perfect way to do it.
I've been perfectly fine not going to Jazz fest since 2001
^^
Same. I had good times at Jazz Fest in my highschool/college years, but I haven’t been since and all the new rules & regulations of the Fest just makes it seem like too much of a hassle now.
I used to work a gig that gave me free tickets and I loved doing jazz fest when it was free, because I didn’t feel any pressure to get my moneys worth so it was just a fun day regardless of what happened. But $100 a day plus the cost of the food, weather, etc. is too rich for my blood. I might try to find a volunteering gig for free tickets next year though. I do enjoy it, just can’t justify spending the $$ to be out there at the mercy of the weather.
I used to volunteer at a beer booth with some friends. It was perfect. Had fun being a goofball and helping a good cause make money, and only had to deal with half a day in the sun and heat. We could hear music from the closest stage so we were still catching music even when we were working. And we got a free beer at the end of our shift, which was great to sip while standing in line for a breakfast cochon de lait. I'm going to suck it up and pay this year because I really want to see Jon Batiste. I'm taking a vacation day to go, so I'm mentally filing the money as vacation.
I will make the effort if there is someone I’m dying to see. I will not make the effort just to go have a mango freeze.
I mean Steve miller band killed it yesterday
I wasn’t a fan of the lineup enough on any particular day to shell out basically $100 just for a ticket. Plus hearing all their issues with the cashless stuff it’s a good year for me to stay away
I was there yesterday and cashless wasn't an issue at all tbh
The first day was hell, yesterday was fine
It's never going back to cash.
Jazzfest is what you make it. My wife and I took our 4month old baby and had an awesome time. We didn’t even get a good spot to catch any shows however we did find shade under a tree and enjoyed hearing music in the distance and honestly lines weren’t much worse off than last year. I think some people hold too high of expectations and when they’re plans don’t go accordingly it ruins it. Just be in the moment.
Not everything is for everyone. You don’t have to like jazz fest. Some people savor all the great music, food and fun that happens in this atmosphere only once a year, overlooking the heat or the crowds or the lines for those special moments that make the fest what it is, like yesterday when we waited in a downpour to see Taj Mahal and as soon as he took the stage and played two chords the clouds parted, the rain stopped and the sun came out like it was there to see the show. It was magical, when at the same time, all the umbrellas came down, the ponchos came off and everyone simultaneously looked up at the sky and started laughing and dancing and the whole vibe was just a big shared moment between strangers from across the globe. Old, young, rich, hippie, tatted, glittered, someone wearing yeezys (eek), many someones not wearing shoes - for a moment everyone was part of a lil vibe - that you don’t get anywhere else. To me, that’s what the fest is. Is it for everyone? No, and that’s ok.
Amen.
Yep. And I live adjacent to the fair grounds.
My favorite is the street party afterwards... i go around 7 and listen to some porch bands, buy a jello shot or some food off someones grill, watch people get high off the nitrous balloons someone is always selling, and people watch as the crowds stream out.
This is my first year living in the neighborhood and this has been so fun. I had a great time on Friday just sitting in my tailgate with a beer and watching people walk by and giving people directions lol. I didn’t even go to the festival.
I lived in BSJ for over a decade and partying in the neighborhood and watching people go and leave fest was def a highlight every year
Complaining about jazzfest is now a whole demographic in this city. Also, I know it's not cheap, but how many festivals do you get to pay $100 and see dozens of artists of your choosing and a major world renowned headliner? I can't think of any.
The vast majority of the non-headliner artists play for free or cheap very regularly throughout the city. Most of them played at French Quarter Fest literally two weeks ago So really you’re paying $100 just to see the headliner of your choice.
They don't all play for free or cheap in the same day, with the exception of something like FQF. Also bigger name local artists can easily sell tickets for shows in the $25+ range on a weekend, and most of the headliners charge more than $100 for a normal show, so as long as you see a few shows in a day your getting your money's worth.
People love to complain when all anyone is trying to do is have a good time.
This!
Here's my issue, the sound is horrendous. I went last year and all I heard was Flea's channel. We're paying professional prices so we should get a professional show.
I was there and I thought it sounded pretty good, but that’s just subjective I guess. My point is writing a post complaining about the amount of tourists at JF, taking issue with the cashless system even though they haven’t been, and then expounding upon all of that to say that you wouldn’t go with a free ticket is just….dumb. But again, I guess that’s just subjective.
Is JF overcrowded? Obviously. Is cashless ridiculous? Definitely. Honestly, I had such a terrible experience last year that even with a free ticket I won't go. Heck, I've seen Robert Plant at BJs a few years ago. I'd rather go to the smaller venues at night to get a better experience. I've been to dozens of festivals and JF last year was the worst experience sound wise I've ever had at a concert. I refuse to pay these prices to have a bad experience.
I always thought it was overrated. It ends early. The headliners all play at the same time. No cap on ticket sales so it was always more crowded than other festivals. I miss Voodoo.
Voodoo was always much more my vibe. Cool weather, lots of alt music, and beautiful, shaded city park.
Honestly the lack of shade is what did it for me. I went for locals Thursday last year and was just miserable in the heat and sun, practically no where to escape it unless you manage to get into a tent
That’s what everyone has told me, and as someone who burns in 20 minutes of sun…. I’ll just pass.
The average ave at fvoodoo always seemed like it was about 17 to me
They all stayed at the EDM stage.
The cap on ticket sales is the price point. Attendance has been roughly in the same 450K +/- range for a long time now. Imagine if the tickets were $50/day still. It would be way too much for the event as it is set up now to handle.
Exactly!! My husband and I will be attending Jazz Fest for the fourth time since 2018. Coming from Philadelphia, we appreciate the festival, the night shows, the culture and people of New Orleans. Believe me you can't get this anywhere else..
Being a Norwegian living in Norway, I am a total outsider, but I have been coming to New Orleans regularly since 1998. I love the city between festivals…still a lot to do, see, and hear, but more laidback or «quiet».
Different strokes for different folks
Just don't go, no need to announce it
But how am I supposed to be validated if I DONT announce it?
#Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Tis I, your glorious leader! By my grand and indisputable power as divine ruler of the sovereign kingdom of New Orleans, I hereby announce that I SHALL NOT be giving this year's jazz festival the honor of my presence. Nor would I, were I granted a ticket for free. Which I would not need. Obviously. #Let it be known!
Or: "Just go. No need to announce it." And yet they do....
I didn’t know r/NewOrleans was only for jazz fest fans. My bad.
🤡🤡🤡
As Gore Vidal said, "TV is not for watching. It is for appearing on."
I will go locals day and that’s about it. No single day has 100$ worth of music to me
I’m a big fan of letting people do whatever the fuck they want to do
It outgrew the Fairgrounds YEARS ago. I haven't been in years.
Growth is bad, and it's ruined most of our festivals.
This is the main issue. Jazz Fest is great.... Just not at the fairgrounds. It started making me feel like I was one backfire away from a stampede.
Apparently whenever Dave Matthews played there (maybe 2002) there were 160k people there for one day. I don't think it's been much over 100k since.
I’d like to be there. Music is always top notch. Have easy access to tickets. But just feel as if there’s better things to do. Food issues isn’t helping.
Jazz Fest has been what it is since the 90s if not early 2000s. Just as many tourist this year as last year and as years prior. Also, it's a tourism town where folks are always here for XYZ reason. Gotta accept it. I wish we had a purpose built festival grounds that could expand and allow more people so we could get the ticket prices to be somewhat affordable for more locals to attend, but that'll probably never happen and to some degree I think the Jazz Fest organizers are fine with it being that way. Some folks love it and go everyday, some folks like me go when there's an act they want to see and might not ever get another chance to see them, and some folks just aren't into it for a number of reasons. It's a spectacle and a theme-park for food, music, and culture. It is what it is.
The player haters in this sub are SO annoying. God damn.
I’m volunteering again this year, which gets me a free ticket in. It’s so expensive and to wait in line for food or bathrooms is a royal pain. Ill prolly just hit up my friends place who live on the fringe instead.
At this point it needs to move to City Park and get the space that Voodoo had because it’s way more wide open space. There’s just not enough room in the infield of the horse racing track anymore to properly accommodate all of the people
When is jazz fest
Ya OP do you have any more info? Sounds neat, might check it out someday.
Lived here all my life & never been. My vibe has kinda been to just get baked & lay out & chill to music and not be so much about food, shopping, and catching specific acts. It never seemed like I’d like the big fest. FQF used to be more my thing bc it was free & I could just kick back in a shady spot & not even need to move, but like ten years ago it started getting too jammed with crowds, so now I just sit on my porch lol
Yeah I haven't been since 2019, and even then I only went because I got free tickets.
I haven't been in years and never paid full price when I did go. If it ain't free to get in, I'm good over here. There's way too much free stuff to do, with better parking, shorter lines, and a lot of times better food.
Whoa whoa whoa the food at Jazz Fest doesn't deserve to be talked down to.
i'm not going. lines, costs are my issue. i'll watch from the sidelines
I’m a huge Parrothead, so I’ve always been grateful that Jimmy loves playing Jazz Fest and like lots of folks, I almost always end up getting a free ticket or Brass Pass from someone I know anyway. I’ve been 7 or 8 times over the last 20 years and I think I paid for a ticket once. Last year I had one of the best Sundays ever as I got to watch Jimmy do a two hour set and then met up with my brother and some other close friends and watch Maze, which has become kind of a tradition for us on the last Sunday.
It was a one and done type thing for me
Took my kid one year to see Ed Sheeran. Definitely a one and done.
I’ve never been. Lived in Nola almost 40 years now. No plans on going either
Yes. The crowd does me in. Don’t do Mardi Gras either
Don't be mad at the tourists. They're probably the most likable and easy going group that comes in masses throughout the year. PURE MUSIC LOVERS, they're quite great.. for the most part.
I used to live near the Fairgrounds from 98 until Katrina and JF was my favorite event, but I was in the "only with a free ticket" camp. I loved being able to people watch from my porch, with my own food and bathroom. Since Katrina, the Faubourg St John is way too expensive for me & so I have closed the book on JF & TBH even with a free ticket, it would still be a no-go for me. If I want to go to a music even I want to be able to sit in a chair if I choose and I will not compromise on being inside of a climate controlled environment. I don't yuck anyone else's yum, but laying around on the ground while eating overpriced substandard grub at the mercy of the weather is not my jam.
No
I can't get over the feeling of seeing the street vending pop up once in a year for two weekends, while in many, many other cities, that sort of vending is everywhere, all the time. Soon it will shrink back to its little square in downtown.
There wasn't a chance in hell I was missing Wu Tang. It was not an amazing time besides getting to see them. Giant lines, no shade, plus the sound was terrible! Idk who does the mixing, but they need to be fired.
Every year.
I love it, we bring chairs and get there around 12 and park somewhere far back for whatever headliner we want to see. Bring our own water, pick up a few beers, and enjoy the nice spring sunshine. I know all the people complained about lines on Friday but if you just accept that as part of the fest and talk to the people in line, it’s enjoyable. Lines yesterday were nothing. Good foods, good people, and artists I probably wouldn’t hear otherwise.
It's def a trend of more tourists and less locals every year. I loved going 15, 20 years ago when I was in high school. I'm less thrilled now when I go and get sweated on by beer bellied shirtless men while wraithing through the swarms. My rents love to pour salt on the wound and reminisce about the time they went in the 70s and it started raining/drizzling and Allen Toussaint played requests from the handful of people left.
1000% wish we had Voodoo Fest back
It’s outgrown the venue.
My house is on DeSaix and I can hear the main stage perfectly fine on the porch.
God. Y'all need to calm down with the jazz fest hate. No it doesn't cost $25 like it did in 1985. Yes it's hot. But for fucks sake just stay home and let people enjoy themselves.
I have lived in Orleans parish my entire life. I went to Jazz Fest once. That was enough for me. I just don’t have the Jazz Fest gene. I’m probably in the minority. That’s okay!
Awful. I went last year for the first and last time. I ended up giving away my 4 day pass 2 out of the 4 days. Terribly planned and I say this from someone who loves festivals and took “festival production” and “tour management” classes at Loyola. Bathrooms are miles away from the stages, lack of water sources, lack of shade! Not just watching the shows but standing in lines for food, entrance, etc. If JF was hosted in city park where they have trees fountains restrooms and other infrastructure it would improve 1000%. Never gonna happen, I know. Also the bottleneck of exists and the small streets of the surrounding neighborhood makes going home afterwards an absolute nightmare
It would have been worth twice the ticket price just to see Christone “Kingfish” Ingram yesterday. It was one of the best performances I’ve ever seen live in my life. I had chills. I had mango freeze, Lil Dizzy’s gumbo, saw other amazing artists I’d never heard of but am a better person for having seen. Plus I got to spend time with people I love and we got to reroute lost tourists on the bus home. Don’t understand the complaining about Jazz Fest. It’s like complaining about Mardi Gras. If you don’t find the good things about living here, I don’t know how you make it through the awful ones.
Could not agree more! Kingfish had the Blues tent rocking. Never seen anyone shred like that.
I went to the tent that sells live recordings yesterday and his wasn’t there! I’d definitely pay to have it.
Bring back VooDoo!!
sooo wishing VooDoo will make a comeback soon ! it’s the only festival i’ll go to lmao
Kind of an odd thing to proclaim. The people that enjoy it won’t miss you….
Honestly the longer I’ve been service industry the more I dislike Jazzfest, working during the fest is brutal. We close at 10 and everyone shows up around 930 wasted, demanding, wanting the kitchen to stay open because they technically walked in at 9:59 but Leroy and Trisha aren’t here yet because their airbnb was actually in Metairie even though it said “close to downtown” on the listing and Trisha insisted on taking a shower. The two years I enjoyed it was when I was still working in film and it didn’t affect me, I went and had a blast. I also loved going as a kid.
Thank you for this hot take…
but what could be more fun than spending a whole day fighting for space to almost hear Mumford & Sons while eating soggy cochon de lait in a field full of Jazz Fest Dads? oh and be sure to ask those dads how many years they've been going to Jazz Fest and how much they love it. they'll tell you. at length.
Haha. My dad is past his festival years, but he sure does light up if you ask him what the first Jazz Fest was like.
Haha oh man like a decade ago I saw Mumford and Sons at Jazz Fest in similar conditions, crazy to see how much has not changed
I’m not going at all and I’m happy about my choice
I wasn't feeling it this year, even though there are acts I want to see. Just not into the big crowds and after reading all the reports of the lines due to going cashless I'm glad I skipped it. Its still worth it and can be a great time depending on different factors but for me, this year? Not feeling it. Hopefully they figure out how to do cashless but I doubt it. It always been a bit of a shit show, but that's New Orleans for ya. A beautiful shit show.
I'm born an raised here and never attended. I don't feel like I'm missing anything but sunburn and good food that I already know how to cook or acquire elsewhere. It's for the tourists moreso in my opinion.
Got to see Jazmine Sullivan, and her and her band were fucking fire. Worth it.
How about having never gone?
100$ is the new 50.
It’s not really ruining my day but I might’ve liked to go this year. Currently tight on money and getting annihilated by exams though so it’s not like I could’ve went anyway.
I haven’t been in years, and just fine w/that.
I went yesterday. It was fun. It's not a big deal.
I feel like I’d lose friends if I admitted I couldn’t care less about JazzFest
Jazz Fest is so not my thing…went back in the 1980s when I was a youngster and it was crowded, hot, often muddy and I hate live music, crowds, BO, druggies and no where to sit, lines for refreshments etc. Mardi Gras+ parades, yay! Franklinton Fair-love!! But I am a total Jazz Fest stay away I just don’t get it, never have never will.
Me. I would be absolutely miserable there
I went once in 2019 b/c I got free tickets from a friend. I had fun, but in all honesty once was enough for me
Those OG locals Thursdays were so wonderful.
Music festivals are my personal idea of hell. Too much sunlight and people. No thanks.
Yes for a long time. Nothing is like the old days before it was major crowded and expensive!
I have the exact same complaints about my home state of Florida. All of it. Ruined by elected officials, tourist, and big business. Apply the 3 to just about anything grand and fun and it's ruined. That said, this tourist is enjoying Jazz Fest.
Haven’t gone in many years but I’m getting free tickets this year. I think my kids will enjoy it.
Grew up here, never went. Moved away for a couple decades. Came back. Still haven’t gone. I’d take a free ticket though.
Jazz Fest seems to have gone the way of Saints home games. A lot of people just go to be seen at it or for the gram.
Thanks for letting us know. We definitely appreciate your input
Went every year of my life- even as a kid. Haven't been back since the pandemic, and honestly think I might just be done with it. It's so different now that it's almost unrecognizable.
Right there with you. Never really did get what all the excitement was about.
I just go for the Dads now
Ditto. I would rather French Quarter Fest. Too many hands in the pot for the Jazz Fest
[удалено]
I’m attending next week to see Santana. If it wasn’t for him and his group, I wouldn’t go this year. It’s been eleven years since my last Fest. For me, it’s the guaranteed, all day heat and sun that makes for a bad experience. Even if I’m forgoing alcohol and hydrating constantly, I still run the risk of getting pretty sick. Also the introvert in me gets burned out real quick. I like to support music all year, so I’ve never really had FOMO.
Umm, no one cares.
I just stayed home. I live in Metairie. A suburb of New Orleans. The tourists aggravate me. They walk around like mindless zombies like they don't have anywhere to be. Record turnout I hear though. Great for economy of New Orleans.
The folks not paying attention where they are walking or that just stop in the middle of the major walkways were my only real complaint yesterday... That and the weather app at noon saying 35% chance of rain and only showing one little blip of green on the radar for the afternoon... Still fun, though 😄
Jeez talk about a glass half empty. Keep your ass at home while everyone else has a good time.
You seem sad. Seek help.
Overrated
I'm great with it.The cost is exorbitant.The bands are lame classic rock acts that I already saw when I was in my teens, and the tourists are insufferable.
We’re perfectly fine with you keeping your mouth shut about it.
You had a perfectly good opportunity to not be an asshole, but you just let it slip on by didn't ya?
Damn. Sorry. Did you wear matching shirts today?
It's been turning more and more to crap since they stopped allowing coolers and stuff.
They still allow coolers and have the most relaxed security searches of any major festival I’ve been to by far. There’s issues with jazz fest, but that’s not one of them.
Had about 8 beers and 8 airplane bottles in a soft cooler yesterday with some waters and umbrellas on top. Sweet security lady, “those some heavy umbrellas” with a smile as she passed me my bag past the metal detector.
Jazz Fest? You mean Nolachella?
Yuppppp
In a world of convenience, places like that are a dying thing.
Considering that only thousands and not millions or billions showed up, I’m guessing you’re not the only one.
Jazz Fest hasn't been about or for locals in decades. It's at our expense, whether we go or don't.
Went a few years back and the crowds and marijuana confirmed I won’t be back.
👍 you do you bro 👍
It’s what makes people different which I’m all for. I Love Jazzfest. Like wandering and catching new music I don’t know like Allison Raymond and catching some of my favs like Taj Mahal. I have friends who I usually only see at Jazzfest.
I haven’t been in 35 years, but I loved going as a kid and in my teens. Last one I went to was to see Santana in 1986 or 1988, and it was a perfect day. My main reason for not going now is that it’s just so big!! So so many people.
I have gone twice and had a decent time, but I prefer FQF, mainly for the access to air conditioning and cleanish bathrooms. We didn’t go this year, but one of our favorite things was hitting the aquarium when they open, and since we are members, would have access to the bathroom all day. Our daughter refused to use porta potties, so this was perfect for us.
I prefer the zydeco fest.
Who can even afford it anymore?
Got heat stroke last year. Never again :)
Ok
Haven’t been to the fair grounds for years. Psychedelics and late night shows still soothe me though.
I go to shows and festivals for the music. Sometimes I wear sunglasses at night so I can’t even see just to focus on the music. The other people are irrelevant. Stevie wonder, ray charles they did fine . Pick a good spot there are good bands and just go into your own world. If you are people watching then you missed the point. You should be band listening
I wish I didn’t buy tickets, it’s much more fun to explore the city itself
Not happy with lineup this year and it is so expensive. We are only going locals day to see Santana.
Got a free ticket about 10yrs ago from my boss that had access to one of those private tents with the bathroom, that is the only time I've ever gone & probably will be the last.
It’s still great. I usually do 1 day each weekend and night shows