For 40 years The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has produced world class entertainment encompassing every style associated with the city and the state: blues, R&B, gospel music, Cajun music, zydeco, Afro-Caribbean, folk music, Latin, rock, rap music, country music, bluegrass, and of course jazz.
The 12 stages for the 2011 Festival features a never-ending list of talent which includes: Robert Plant’s Band of Joy, Arcade Fire, Wilco, Bon Jovi, The Avett Brothers, Mumford & Sons, John Legend and The Roots, Jeff Beck, The Decemberists, Amos Lee, The Strokes, Jason Mraz, Robert Randolph and The Family Band. This doesn’t even scratch the surface, literally hundreds of band will perform.
The Jazz Festival is a seven day event running from April 29th - May 1st and May 5 - May 8th. Single adult tickets run $40 (discount) and $45; Gate price is $60; Child tickets (age 2-10 accompanied by an adult) run $5 and are available at the gate only. VIP packages are also available. That’s a lot of bang for buck.
Proceeds from the Jazz Festival benefit year-round community development programs in the areas of education, economic development and culture.
We are currently entering the season of festivals, each vying for the precious consumer dollar. While it was a good year for many bands, 2010 showed a marketable drop in concert attendance. Bon Jovi, for instance, the top grossing band of last year, did not surpass their numbers from previous years.
Hatred for Live Nation aside, fans are being selective before they hand over the plastic.
But festivals, unlike a three hour concert, are more than just about the music, it’s also about the experience. It’s a commitment to immerse yourself for two to three days in a completely different environment, get your face painted and piss in a port-a potty. And hear great music.
Coachella, the three day festival in Indio, CA April 15-17, announced it’s lineup on Wednesday. The two festivals share many of the same large acts. However, the West coast festival will set you back anywhere from $200 to $500. Both are great festivals, but music lovers need to decide what their taste and credit limit is.
Comments