New Orleans Jazz Fest 2012

[Shug]

I love New Orleans (have visited twice) but I've never been to Mardi Gras or Jazz Fest.  I worry a bit that the crowds will be overwhelming... 

If I go, my basic plan is to attend the festival on just the day MMJ plays, and then the other nights see shows in the clubs after the festival is over.  From what I've gathered, one can still gorge themselves on music just going to the after-shows.  Mostly what I'd like to see is local New Orleans music like Irma Thomas, Funky Meters, Kermit Ruffins, Dirty Dozen, some zydeco, etc.  Wouldn't mind seeing stuff like Sharon Jones, Bonnie Raitt, Levon Helm, Grace Potter, etc, too.

How crazy-crowded will it be for MMJ's festival set?  Would there be a spot with a little bit of space that isn't super far away from the stage?

How realistic is it to expect to see a bunch of the festival acts at the after-shows?  Are most of those last minute deals, or is there a schedule announced ahead of time and can you get tickets ahead of time.  I know people have kinda answered some of these questions already about hoped-for MMJ after-show, but I'm still wondering about how it works for other after-shows.

Any attempts at trying to answer these questions by folks who know would be really appreciated.  Thanks!

Shug...totally hear you one this!  Nothing wrong with not wanting to be jostled by strangers all day.  :)

For years, I had a friend who came only for the night time shows during jazz fest.  If there was something really special happening on the Fairgrounds, he'd go that day, but otherwise, its was party all night sleep all day.  I have another friend who comes every 4 or 5 years, hangs at the hotel pool all day until around 5, then heads to the Fairgrounds...maybe.   It's all about doing what you want.

The crowds can be a bit much.  I like to travel alone during the day...it makes it easier for me to get where I want to be without having to wait for a group to get food, or look at art, or talk to strangers, etc.  All of that is great and I do all of those things myself, just when I have time.  Selfish, yes.  But, this was my major vacation every year so it was all about me.   ;)  As you mentioned there are so many other bands to see, it's really easy to get out of the crowds if it's too much.  There are 13 stages...if you really want a treat go to the kid's tent.  They have good music and it's shaded and mellow.  :)

I spend more time now in the Jazz Tent which has chairs and misting fans.  When I need to be at one of the outdoor stages, I travel on the (sand) track.  Usually, it's a lot less crowded than trying to walk on the main pathways with everyone else.

The big names that play the fest will probably not play any clubs shows.  However, all of the New Orleans bands will be around in a variety of combinations and venues.  The night time shows are slowly being scheduled/announced now, but that will get into full-swing in the next month or so.  My rule of thumb for many of those shows is that if it's sold-out, I can find at least 5 other equally as good or better shows to see.  My favorite motto still:  "Jazz Fest isn't about what you saw.  It's about you had to miss to see what you saw." 

For MMJ's  prior festival appearance, I stood about halfway back in line with the sound board.  There was plenty of room.  The front looked crowded, but I think it may have looked worse than it was. This year may be different.

Hope this helps!  And, (early) welcome to New Orleans! 

thanks for the scoop, NoVa NoLa, much appreciated to get info from mulitple knowledgeable sources, thank you!

[e_wind]

1. headhunter and MRS. H
2. Penny
3. NovaNola
4. Sassbox
5. darkglow +1
6. Tube Top
7. Fully +1
8. Jon T +1
9. Brooke + ?
10. LowdownCheatin
11. EasyRyder +1
12. Jackets N Pones + Jackets N Ags
13. Jane
14. Vespa (+ Mr. V and Baby MMJ?)
15. ewind + some.



I have confirmed. Last final -> plane to nola -> plane to south america for awhile. excited!

[br00ke]

i've heard that hotels are released in blocks and that there can be cheaper (good) hotels/rooms out there in the weeks/months to come. if anyone knows what is the best way to stay on top of this / know when to strike on a deal / block of rooms being released, i'd LOVE to hear about it 

i still haven't gotten my flight yet. i'm not in love with any of the prices or schedules. i saw an all-time low on some flights though .. $168 roundtrip .. but it's the worst possible times -- arriving in NOLA at 12:13AM and departing at 5:30AM / both with connections. those prices are no longer available but i'm sure they'll pop back up again. i saw them on monday. on one hand it's like YUCK but on the other hand, to save $200+ and arriving to NOLA after midnight ain't no thang b/c it's an all night city. leaving early isn't a bad thing either as one of my roommates is flying out at 6:30AM anyway. and then sometimes i'm of the mind to say screw it and go for the $500 nonstop jetblue flights but i really don't have that kind of cheese to just throw around  :P

[NoVa_NoLa]

If you've got the patience to wait it out, there may be some good deals as the event gets closer.  In the past I've used Priceline and Hotwire and gotten really good deals ($70/night for a 4*), but recently it seems as if those deals are few and far between.

Keep an eye out here: http://jazzfest.swagland.com/bidding.html (scroll down a bit to see recent winning bids, if any)

Good luck and enjoy the Freak's Ball this weekend...I almost booked a flight home.  Saturday is going to be nuts!!  I think this is the 3rd or 4th Ball that I've missed...whaaaaaa  :'(

[br00ke]

yesssss .. i just signed up to the RSS feed for swagland on when bids are accepted and such. we have a room booked at the Crown Plaza (i think that's the name, on Canal) so we are set .. just looking for more affordable.

and yesssss (again) to the freaks ball. you should SO BE HERE!!! i am SO STOKED, sweet line up all around  Sam Champion + Portugal. The Man on Friday. On Saturday we have ...


Eddie Roberts (The New Mastersounds)
Joe Russo (Furthur, The Duo)
Marco Benevento (The Duo, general brilliance)
Ron Johnson (KDTU)
with special guests:
WARREN HAYNES (Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule)
Eric Krasno (Soulive)

opening:
Eric Deutsch
Joe Russo (Furthur, The Duo)
Scott Metzger (Wolf!, general badassery)
Hagar Ben-Ari (Dap Kings et al)

Big Freedia will be playing late night .. bounce bounce bounce

[Penny Lane]

yesssss .. i just signed up to the RSS feed for swagland on when bids are accepted and such. we have a room booked at the Crown Plaza (i think that's the name, on Canal) so we are set .. just looking for more affordable.

i'm at the Crown Plaza, too  ;)

[ALady]

You ladies are tempting me.   ;D

[br00ke]

You ladies are tempting me.   ;D

that's our job  8)

isn't jeff & beth @ our hotel too? RAD! i'm going with a bunch of phish friends and i'm like "OH YEAH? Well i know a bunch of MMJ folks going too!!!". the double bill of friends sorta sealed the deal for me 

[Penny Lane]

Headhunter and Mrs. Headhunter are across the street... ;)

ALady---c'mon....

[NoVa_NoLa]

ooohhhhh Maggie...Eddie Vedder was just added to the line up    :)

[Penny Lane]

ooohhhhh Maggie...Eddie Vedder was just added to the line up    :)

which weekend??~!

[NoVa_NoLa]

2nd....now I've gotta start stock piling wine...

[Jon T.]

ooohhhhh Maggie...Eddie Vedder was just added to the line up    :)

which weekend??~!

Great googly moogly.  Weekend 2.

[NoVa_NoLa]

Apparently, I checked the Jazz Fest site at the moment when the Vedder pic went up...they just posted this to Twitter:

EDDIE VEDDER has been added to Jazz Fest! He will appear on Thurs. 5/3 as a solo artist. Another BIG talent announcement coming tomorrow!

We'd had some clues about Vedder, but we couldn't figure out who it could be.  Haven't heard a peep about who the next announcement will feature...Prince?   ;)   :)

[NoVa_NoLa]

ooohhhhh Maggie...Eddie Vedder was just added to the line up    :)

which weekend??~!

He's playing my favorite day of the fest...Thursday...perfect!!  Scheduling Friday off now.  With any luck, KDTU will have a late night gig that night/morning at Tip's again this year.

[e_wind]

Holy shit. Best thing to happen since Roo 08 line up.

[ALady]

Apparently, I checked the Jazz Fest site at the moment when the Vedder pic went up...they just posted this to Twitter:

EDDIE VEDDER has been added to Jazz Fest! He will appear on Thurs. 5/3 as a solo artist. Another BIG talent announcement coming tomorrow!

We'd had some clues about Vedder, but we couldn't figure out who it could be.  Haven't heard a peep about who the next announcement will feature...Prince?   ;)   :)

If it's Prince, we can start talking  ;)

[Fully]

Apparently, I checked the Jazz Fest site at the moment when the Vedder pic went up...they just posted this to Twitter:

EDDIE VEDDER has been added to Jazz Fest! He will appear on Thurs. 5/3 as a solo artist. Another BIG talent announcement coming tomorrow!

We'd had some clues about Vedder, but we couldn't figure out who it could be.  Haven't heard a peep about who the next announcement will feature...Prince?   ;)   :)

If it's Prince, we can start talking  ;)

Yep, Prince would definitely get me to reconsider going to this festival.

[NoVa_NoLa]

Whoooo, you ladies are tough!  ;)

Fingers crossed for Prince, but a more realistic addition might be Springsteen...

[ALady]

That keeps me at home.   ;D