There are many roads to Jazz Fest, and countless tales that are spun each year here in New Orleans. I’ve waited two years to pop my Jazz Fest cherry. The journey was spectacular. It was filled with important crossroads that led me to my favorite music destination (The Front Rail). I was surrounded by great music people and dazzled by the world’s best musicians. I was armed with my camera and crisp new Field Notes book. I managed to capture the experience without missing a beat.
My gal and I flew in Friday to our beloved NOLA. We had a slew of great dinner reservations. We also had a “grid” full of must-see acts. We did not know how long it would take us to transition between our weekend retreat and the Fairgrounds. Our plans seemed very ambitious. In the end, we used Ubers to get to the venue. The Shuttle bus brought us back home. It worked like a charm.
We had a rough start with an oversold plane and bad seats. Quickly, we made friends with the large group around us from Cuba (Cimafunk). They were playing late that night with the Soul Rebels.
After that, they were off to Austin City Limits before returning to NOLA for a prime slot during weekend 2. (See pic below).
I saw the big dude next to me tapping his foot. He was playing the air drums with headphones on. I had a feeling they were musicians. I struck up a conversation. Very nice people. I hope to catch them the next time they travel to NYC. This set the tone for the rest of the weekend.
To boot, on the plane I got to read a new music book I had been looking forward to on the great Toad’s Place in New Haven, CT.
Click here to read my story on this.
More on that later… now to the music!!!
Day 1 – April 29, 2022
(NOTE: all photos were taken by Michael Beckerich and available on request.)
We had a killer lunch at one of our favorite bistros (Cochon in the Warehouse district). Then, we hustled to Fairgrounds. We arrived in time to catch CeeLo Green’s set on the main stage. We strategically made it the front rail, where we would stay for the headliner set that followed.
I was amazed at how many damn people were there. It’s a small world. I quickly met a dude that grew up near me. He often dines at Nyack’s Hudson House. I would see him every day at the front rail that weekend.
CeeLoo was sweating intensely. He belted out a bunch of James Brown songs. Then, he played his hits “Crazy” and “St. Elsewhere”.
Lionel Richie was flat out fun. He played all the hits from his Commodores and solo days. My favorite was his 1981 chart topper Lady (You Bring Me Up). I also really enjoyed when he sat at the piano and let loose.
Not my favorite choice for the Friday headliner, but a good start.
Unfortunately our late night show with Government Mule was canceled as Warren Hayes hurt his shoulder.
Day 2 – April 30, 2022
My favorite day… caught so many bands and had a killer dinner at August!
The unexpected musical highlight was Water Seed on the Congo Stage. There is always one highlight at every festival. The performance featured a lead flute player and spectacular dancing.
The Papa Gross set featured George Porter Jr. on bass. It closed with a long heavy classic “Ain’t No Use.” The song featured a bunch of “on the mark” horns.
The Cyril Neville set was old school NOLA and included guest Little Feat guitarist Bill Payne.
Revivalists frontman David Shaw played a short high energy set to show off his new solo songs. The tunes are a nice blend of jazzy pop rock and funky reggae soul. Shaw always brings it, but it was especially nice to see his lead guitar man having a ball on stage. Big smiles all around.
My favorite set of the weekend was Galactic’s late afternoon show. Stanton Moore is one of my favorite modern drummers (see story on drummers). His style and beat gets me good every time.
Galactic is great band. Guest singer Jelly Joseph was fun, but I prefer when they have dudes at the helm. David Shaw sang for them one year, as did Corey Glover. Midway through the set the band broke out a funky Led Zep cover of “Nobody’s Fault But Mine”. The heavy pounding “Heart of Gold” was incredible with big gigantic notes and liver shaking bumps and groans. Super fun! Watch here..
It was very cool to see the plane above carrying an ad for Tipitina’s Record Club… support the local clubs!
Two must-see headliners were playing at the same time on opposite ends of the Fairgrounds. The plan was to leave The Who after my favorite song “Emminence Front.” Then, we would catch the back end of Jason Isbell’s set. The plan worked like a charm.
The Who had a 20-piece orchestra on stage to give their classics some nice depth. Roger and Pete are definitely on their last go around. Seeing them so close was a treat. It is crazy that they are still rocking at a high level at 70 years old.
Jason Isbell always brings his A-game. The man can sing, write and play guitar. (See recent story on his Capitol Theatre show.) I love his lyric in “Astronaut” that says “Heaven is wasted on the dead.” True brother…true.
Compared to the insanely crowed main stage in the boiling sun, Isbell’s audience was spread out and catching a breeze in the shade. The addition of Driving & Crying’s Sadler Vaden to his band is a huge plus. Like Isbell, he is a 5-tool performer.
Saturday night we caught our lone after party show at Republic Nola, a mini Tipitina’s in the Warehouse district. Voodoo Dead featured John Medeski, Al Schnier from Moe, Steve Kimoch and Oteil Burbridge (who bailed with a death in the family.)
Day 3 – May 1, 2022
A heavy rain started the day off, but did not disrupt the music. In fact, it made it more hot and humid.
The Blues tent was crazy hot and humid. We caught CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band doing an old school cajun set. The same went for the Gospel tent which featured Val & Love Alive.
After getting nestled in a prime spot in front of the garden Lagniappe Stage to see the great Daniel Lanois… his set was not good. Odd dude. His trio was killer as well, featuring Brian Blade (of Miles Davis group) and Daryl Johnson. However, they were not organized. They did not live up to expectations. I wasn’t the only one waiting in anticipation as the garden area was packed to the max. Nonetheless, it was very cool to see Lanois in action. Hearing that eerie distinctive guitar sound he brings out in all the great stuff he produces was remarkable (most notably Bob Dylan’s ” Time Out of Mind”). Seeing Lanois turn a steel pedal into a church organ sounding instrument was cool too.
We missed Randy Newman to get a good spot for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. They played after Ivan Neville’s funky Dumpstaphunk tore up the stage with lots of horns. The stage was vibrant with blaring guitars and a chunky organ. Their cover of Foo Fighter’s “Best of Me” was kinda cool and fired up the audience.
The Chili Peppers killed it! Crazy energy and talent. These guys produce a crazy amount of sound with just three instruments. Anthony Kiedis reminds me of modern day Iggy Pop… raw and unpredictable.
If you have not seen the Chilis, run and sit as close to Flea as possible. There is no one like him on bass.
Here is a video of the full Chilis set from that day and a bunch of great photos I snapped.
On the way out we caught the last few Avett Brothers songs on stage two. Considering we are going to catch them in Martha’s Vineyard in August, not the end of the world. They were great (as usual).
Some end notes:
- If you want to see the headliner acts you must have a VIP pass. There are way too many people and limited access to the front area of the two largest stages. BUT, outside of great access to the stage, the extra accommodations are weak. It seems like a good number of return festival attendees focus more on the many late night shows scattered around the city. After a long day standing and dancing in the heat, I’m too old to do both.
- New Orleans looked great and the people were nice. Compared to NYC, NOLA was clean and safe… although other than for Jazz brunch at Arnoud’s and dinner we stayed away from Bourbon Street. The airport was even great… they have those no touch plastic covers on the toilet.
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