Jazz Fest 2016, Part Two

The first weekend at Jazz Fest was uneventful, but the second weekend brought all kinds of eventful, including torrential downpours, flooding, the cancellation of big acts like Stevie Wonder, Beck, and Snoop Dogg.  But Neil Young. Despite being almost drowned trying to shoot the show, viewfinders full of water and equipment malfunctioning, there was 2+ hours of music with a set list consisting of just eight guitar-shredding songs, starting with an epic version of Fuckin’ Up.  Not sure we saw the same show as some other crotchety writers, but this was the show to see at Jazz Fest 2016.  Hours of wailing guitars, beautiful women planting seeds, and shooting through flowers almost made us forget how utterly horrible the weather was.  What else could you ask for?

 

 

 

 

 

Another great show on the Congo Stage, and going strong for 50 years (but sadly, down a bunch of brothers): The Isley Brothers. Ronald Isley has been with the band since its formation in 1954, while younger brother Ernie Isley (bringin’ the funk on guitar) joined in 1973. If you’re racking your brain for context (shame, shame):  Shout, It’s your Thing (Do Whatcha Wanna Do…), Twist and Shout…  Got it?

 

 

 

 

 

Man, that’s some classic 1970s funk garb.  Wish we could pull that off!  And perhaps some lovely with your R&B?

 

 

Walter Wolfman Washington in a contemplative mood as the rain crashed down outside the Congo Square Stage on Day 7:

 

 

and backed by some beautiful purple people:

 

 

 

Meanwhile, on the Fais Do Do stage, weather mayhem and The Band Courtbouillon, a Jazz Fest newcomer consisting of core members Wayne Toups, Steve Riley, and Wilson Savoy:

 

 

 

 

 

Under similar camera-destroying conditions, Roddie Romero and The Hub City Allstars:

 

 

 

…and a huge crowd favorite, The Punch Brothers, bluegrass meets classical by way of Brooklyn:

 

 

 

And for a really good Zydeco show (courtesy of Rockin’ Dopsie):

 

 

…fuck the rain!

 

 

 

 

More to come! Developing like crazy!  In the meantime, check out what we’ve uploaded so far by clicking below:  Frankie Beverly and Maze, The Swamp Pop Revue, Brassaholics, Astral Project, Dirty Dozen, Gary Clark, Jr., John Boutte, Joe Lovano, Sonny Landreth, and more!

 

 

This entry was posted on Monday, May 2nd, 2016 at 2:06 pm. It is filed under Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.