New Orleans Jazzfest has endured the wrath of April showers for two years in a row. Beck, Snoop Dogg and Stevie Wonder were forced to cancel their scheduled performances in 2016, and heavy rainfall yesterday prevented Pit Bull from traveling to the Fair Grounds Race Course where the sprawling celebration takes place. Fortunately, skies cleared and the venue opened around three, allowing acts including Elle King, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & The Golden Eagles and Doctor John to entertain the thinned crowds. Lorde played her second major fest following Coachella and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers escorted the audience through nearly 40 years of damn good rock, including four tracks from ’89’s Full Moon Fever. Check out Amy Harris’ pictures in the gallery above and come back on Friday as we cover Jazzfest’s second weekend with Wilco, Stevie Wonder, Kings of Leon and so very many more.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Day One
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Day Two
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Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & The Golden Eagles at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2017, New Orleans, LA, 4/30/2017
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Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & The Golden Eagles at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2017, New Orleans, LA, 4/30/2017
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Doctor John at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2017, New Orleans, LA, 4/30/2017
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Elle King at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2017, New Orleans, LA, 4/30/2017
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Elle King at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2017, New Orleans, LA, 4/30/2017
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Elle King at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2017, New Orleans, LA, 4/30/2017
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Gente de Zona at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2017, New Orleans, LA, 4/30/2017
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Lorde at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2017, New Orleans, LA, 4/30/2017
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Lorde at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2017, New Orleans, LA, 4/30/2017
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Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2017, New Orleans, LA, 4/30/2017