View Full Version : Big Name Perfomances
This will be our first trip to Jazz Fest (4th trip to NOLA tho - just love it) and have a question regarding big name performers (I know everyone is big there.) I understand that you need to purchase tickets, beyond the gate fee, in order to see the top performers. How much do they usual cost? Furthermore, what does that ticket entitle you to - seats, standing closer? It seems that the area around the main stage can be accessed by anyone.
Just how does it work?
saturn
03-21-2007, 08:49 AM
If the big name performer is playing at the actual festival (and listed on the pages on this site), they do not cost extra -- comes with your regular daily ticket. :D If you want to get up close to see your favourite BNA, all you have to do is arrive early and stake out a spot.
Performances occuring in the evening/nighttime at other venues are ticketed out in the usual way by the venues or by Ticketmaster/Ticketweb and prices will vary.
NeenAtlanta
03-21-2007, 08:52 AM
Your daily ticket to the festival, gives you full access to everything, including all of the big name acts. If a band is playing at the fairgrounds, you are covered by your ticket.
You only need to be additional tickets if you want to see bands at the various clubs around town at night. The fest ends around 7pm, so there's lots of time at night to go out and hear more music.
These are the best answers yet - yee-haa. More money for the clubs afterwards
Thank you very much
saturn
03-21-2007, 09:01 AM
You will probably also appreciate this site --- so you will know what is going on everywhere
http://www.jazzfestgrids.com/
And for lots of general info that is incredibly useful -
http://jazzfest.swagland.com/
Rossvegas
03-21-2007, 09:04 AM
JDP, that's one of the most amazing things about the Fest! Where else can you wander a few hundred feet, listen to a few songs by some artist(s) who normally charge $100 - $200 per ticket and then just walk away? The downside is that you can't help but get a little spoiled/snooty afterwards...
"Ya, I saw (insert name here) along with 100 other acts and it only cost me $35. I'm not so sure that I would pay $85 to see them again..."
Besides, you'll never top the vibe!
Just as an aside, you might want to reconsider investing a whole lot of energy trying to get right up at the front. Most of the big name acts aren't biting the heads off bats, so you really just want to hear it more than anything else. They have a big screen set up at both of the big stages, and you might want to opt for more dancing space over proximity to the front...I'm just sayin'!
Thanx again - getting more excited each day; learning the lingo:) can't wait til the cubes are out.
Have the sites already as favorites - plus a few more to know where everyone is after the festival each day. Actually, I have a spread sheet with all the performers we want to see, with the wheres and the whens, both during the fest and afterwards. 43 entries to date - just need the cubes to fill it in.
Thanx again everyone.
Frosty
03-21-2007, 10:09 AM
Just remember, many people you can see anytime. Be sure to catch some of those that you can't. I love Bonnie Raitt, but I can catch her any time in Chicago (and do). But, the Deacon John's and John Boutte's, you have to see down there.
Lester_leaps_in
03-21-2007, 10:10 AM
Just remember, many people you can see anytime. Be sure to catch some of those that you can't. I love Bonnie Raitt, but I can catch her any time in Chicago (and do). But, the Deacon John's and John Boutte's, you have to see down there.
That's good advice, Frosty. I think I'll take it to heart myself.
Thanks
bywterbro
03-21-2007, 10:15 AM
deacon john is smokin...
and john boutte exudes emotion with every word...
really nice guy 2..rides around nawlins on his bike,
always stops to talk....comes from a very musical family of
several sisters....
BigDag
03-21-2007, 10:19 AM
Thanx again - getting more excited each day; learning the lingo:) can't wait til the cubes are out.
Have the sites already as favorites - plus a few more to know where everyone is after the festival each day. Actually, I have a spread sheet with all the performers we want to see, with the wheres and the whens, both during the fest and afterwards. 43 entries to date - just need the cubes to fill it in.
Thanx again everyone.
Hi JDP! Welcome! You're going to LOVE Jazzfest!
I have a prediction though; you won't end up sticking strictly to your spreadsheet. You'll discover all kinds of great music you didn't know you liked, and your plans will change hour by hour.
JDP, you'll probably discover this on your own, but as many have already said, try to take the time to wander around a little bit before the big acts that you want to see come on, and you will likely discover something new and great that you otherwise wouldn't know about. The smaller stages are more intimate, typically more local acts, and just a great way to experience the fest vibe.
It's funny you should say wander around - my other half just sent me an email saying "we'll probably do a lot of wandering around on Saturday and Sunday (maybe he's reading this thread - LOL).
Gonna take in as much as we can - and still enjoy it. We're going down a few days before the first weekend (to gear up) and staying a few days after it (to regroup)
Carolina Beadhead
03-21-2007, 10:46 AM
It's funny you should say wander around - my other half just sent me an email saying "we'll probably do a lot of wandering around on Saturday and Sunday (maybe he's reading this thread - LOL).
Gonna take in as much as we can - and still enjoy it. We're going down a few days before the first weekend (to gear up) and staying a few days after it (to regroup)
I hate to break it to you but there will be no regrouping after first weekend. There's as much going on during the Daze Between as on Fest Days.
You'll have to regroup when you get home. :D
Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)
03-21-2007, 11:38 AM
deacon john is smokin...
and john boutte exudes emotion with every word...
really nice guy 2..rides around nawlins on his bike,
always stops to talk....comes from a very musical family of
several sisters....
JDP, Welcome to our madness. Listen to bywterbro, they know what they are talking about. Deacon John is one of New Orleans best guitarist. So, let us know who is on your list to see and maybe we can help guide you to some unknowns.
funkkjunkie
03-21-2007, 12:00 PM
ONe other thing: if you want a place to sit, you have to bring a chair or blanket with you. It is perfectly ok to set up the chairs and go wandering. I'm soooo excited for all you jazzfest virgins. What a rush that whole first time was.
Frosty
03-21-2007, 12:05 PM
ONe other thing: if you want a place to sit, you have to bring a chair or blanket with you. It is perfectly ok to set up the chairs and go wandering. I'm soooo excited for all you jazzfest virgins. What a rush that whole first time was.
You can get bag chairs for $10 each at Walgreens and just give them to somebody else if you have no way to get them home. That's what we did last year. The $20 was worth it for a comfortable day and our hosts appreciated having some chairs to use the next weekend as their's were lost in the flood.
Beside the bigger names (Van the Man, Norah Jones, et al): Lucky Peterson, Trombone Shorty, Zachary Richards, Sonny Landreth, The Subdudes (actually going to see them 2 other times while were are there), Geno Delafose, Rockin's Dopsi, Mamou Playboys, Newbirth and Rebirth Brass BandsLonnie Smith, NO Social Club, Astral Project, Big Al Carson (but will probably just go down to the Funky Pirate one night).
In all fairness - they are all big performers to us.
Also, thanx for the suggestion of the bean bag chairs - glad t leave them behind too, for some one else.
Zbonnie
03-21-2007, 01:02 PM
Also, thanx for the suggestion of the bean bag chairs - glad t leave them behind too, for some one else.LOL, not bean bag chairs, those would be extremely cumbersome to haul around!! (Try to picture it.) :D Bag chairs, as in canvas chairs inside canvas bags.
oops - I knew, I just had a brain cramp - thinking to much about the trip. LOL
The best advice I could give someone going the first time, is don't try to see everything and be everywhere at once. A lot of people on this board have been going more than a few years and seem to have every minute of every day jam packed. That takes a few fests to get down.
Take your time, go slow, and believe me; on your way to hear somebody you know on that spread sheet, you're gonna hear something you've never heard before and you're gonna stop and listen. Also, like somebody said, if the big names come to your town, then go with the acts that don't. If I had to chose between Norah Jones and the Panorama Jazz Band, I'd go with Panorama.
linza22
03-21-2007, 01:18 PM
HEY...i'm thinkin a bean bag chair would be way comfortable! i like that...now....how do i get it around the fest....hmmm.....need to bring very large strong man with me......
ozzie
03-21-2007, 01:25 PM
HEY...i'm thinkin a bean bag chair would be way comfortable! i like that...now....how do i get it around the fest....hmmm.....need to bring very large strong man with me......
Sling ibjamn a lil somethang and she can carry it on her buggy!
linza22
03-21-2007, 01:29 PM
ok...now we're in business...we're gonna have darn nice pad this year!
ibjamn
03-21-2007, 01:56 PM
Sling ibjamn a lil somethang and she can carry it on her buggy!
LOL!!
Frosty
03-21-2007, 01:57 PM
Beside the bigger names (Van the Man, Norah Jones, et al): Lucky Peterson, Trombone Shorty, Zachary Richards, Sonny Landreth, The Subdudes (actually going to see them 2 other times while were are there), Geno Delafose, Rockin's Dopsi, Mamou Playboys, Newbirth and Rebirth Brass BandsLonnie Smith, NO Social Club, Astral Project, Big Al Carson (but will probably just go down to the Funky Pirate one night).
OK, sounds like I was preaching to the choir. Your going to have a GREAT time.
ibjamn
03-21-2007, 02:03 PM
The best advice I could give someone going the first time, is don't try to see everything and be everywhere at once. A lot of people on this board have been going more than a few years and seem to have every minute of every day jam packed. That takes a few fests to get down.
Take your time, go slow, and believe me; on your way to hear somebody you know on that spread sheet, you're gonna hear something you've never heard before and you're gonna stop and listen. Also, like somebody said, if the big names come to your town, then go with the acts that don't. If I had to chose between Norah Jones and the Panorama Jazz Band, I'd go with Panorama.
Speaking of which, they're playing the Panorama JB on WWOZ right now! :)
sfnola
03-21-2007, 02:05 PM
Study the cubes when they come out. Highlight the acts you want to see. Make a detailed plan with times and routes between each stage.
Then totally ignore it.
All the advice in the world can't possibly prepare you for the sights, sounds, smells and tastes you will be overwhelmed by upon entering the Fairgrounds for the first time. It's incomparable, and for many of us, quite possibly the greatest place on earth.
"Don't judge your Jazzfest by what music you see, judge it by what you have to miss in order to see what you see."
Zydekitten
03-21-2007, 02:06 PM
This will be our first trip to Jazz Fest (4th trip to NOLA tho - just love it) and have a question regarding big name performers (I know everyone is big there.) I understand that you need to purchase tickets, beyond the gate fee, in order to see the top performers. How much do they usual cost? Furthermore, what does that ticket entitle you to - seats, standing closer? It seems that the area around the main stage can be accessed by anyone.
Just how does it work?
Your ticket into Jazzfest is like an "E" ticket, baybeee!!! It gets you all of the funky goodness contained therein: local acts, big national acts and e'erything in between!!!
Bon appetit, cher (and welcome to Jazzfest and the Bored)!!! :D
Zbonnie
03-21-2007, 02:20 PM
JDP, I see you're planning to hear Geno Delafose. Well, you can also see him at the incomparable Rock 'n Bowl (along with Chris Ardoin, people bowling and some of the best zydeco dancers in the country) if you'll be in town on Thursday, 4/26!
stlbarb
03-21-2007, 02:23 PM
you can't help but get a little spoiled/snooty afterwards...
that's why the festival is only 3 days per weekend (now),
to cutdown on the spoilage. :p
festivalgirl
03-21-2007, 03:43 PM
Two of us will see three days of amazing music for less than one of us could have seen The Police!!
If there are two acts we want to see playing at the same time, we tend to choose the older one! (You just never know). The 11A sets are the best for checking out someone you've never heard before. It's not that crowded yet so getting from stage to stage is easy. Small camp chairs are worth their weight in gold!!
Festngator
03-21-2007, 07:55 PM
JPD catch Ingrid Lucia if you can. Also email me an address and I will send you some CDs of live shows so you can warm up for fest.
luvdancin
03-21-2007, 10:30 PM
Also, besides running from stage to stage to hear music, take the time to explore the crafts, such as the Louisiana Marketplace, Congo Square and the contemporary crafts (got to see Rosetree's glass!!). Sample the food. Watch the indian dances (native American and Mardi Gras). Also, if the grandstand is open this year, go inside and look at the exhibits in there. All good stuff and all part of Fest charm.
Bill/KC
03-22-2007, 01:02 AM
Beside the bigger names (Van the Man, Norah Jones, et al): Lucky Peterson, Trombone Shorty, Zachary Richards, Sonny Landreth, The Subdudes (actually going to see them 2 other times while were are there), Geno Delafose, Rockin's Dopsi, Mamou Playboys, Newbirth and Rebirth Brass BandsLonnie Smith, NO Social Club, Astral Project, Big Al Carson (but will probably just go down to the Funky Pirate one night).
In all fairness - they are all big performers to us.
You're way ahead of most Fest virgins.:) Have a great time!!
I want to thank you all again for your advice and suggestions. I know our Friday's wanna sees exceed the 8 hours of fest time. We should be in Okay for the wandering and experiencing new music, food and the crafts.
Here are two more links you may find helpful to know the whereabout of performancers during the off hours.
http://www.pollstar.com/tour/searchall.pl?Date_From=4-24-2007&Date_To=01-03-2009&By=City&Content=LA_New+Orleans&PSKey=Y&Sort=Date
http://www.nowontour.com/results.php?show=toursCity&search=New+Orleans
Can't wait for dem cubes tho.
Happy Jazz Fest to all.
dank_bass
03-23-2007, 12:52 PM
I want to thank you all again for your advice and suggestions. I know our Friday's wanna sees exceed the 8 hours of fest time. We should be in Okay for the wandering and experiencing new music, food and the crafts.
Here are two more links you may find helpful to know the whereabout of performancers during the off hours.
http://www.pollstar.com/tour/searchall.pl?Date_From=4-24-2007&Date_To=01-03-2009&By=City&Content=LA_New+Orleans&PSKey=Y&Sort=Date
http://www.nowontour.com/results.php?show=toursCity&search=New+Orleans
Can't wait for dem cubes tho.
Happy Jazz Fest to all.
Check the grids tomorrow!