Jazz Fest day two kicked off with more beautiful weather and another enthusiastic crowd to see headliners like The Killers and Jon Batiste.
First, we headed to the Gentilly Stage to see Zigaboo Modeliste and the Funk Revue. He is one of the original members of the meters and still one of the most talented drummers around. This innovator in the funk genre still brings the same lively energy as they did back when the band was created in 2000. Zigaboo even had the honor of being brought on stage to accompany headliner, The Killers on the drums during their set that ended the night.
In between shows we caught one of the daily parades that featured the 7th Ward Creole Hunters, Black Flame Hunters, and Golden Comanche Mardi Gras Indians. These tribes paraded the grounds in grand traditional Mardi Gras Indian suits, decked out in neon colors and feathers as far as the eye could see.
Leyla McCalla lit up the Sheraton Fais Do-Do Stage early in the day with her silky vocals that drew is a large crowd as her set progressed. She looked beautiful in her multi-colored sundress that was perfect for a day out at the fest.
HaSizzle “The King of Bounce” opened the Congo stage and got the crowd dancing. He also won best dressed of the day in his gorgeous outfit changes ending with one fully covered in colorful daisies.
New Orleans native, Big Sam took to the stage with his Funky Nation. Big Sam wore a funky tie-dyed vest to accompany his loads of songs that showcase a mixture of R&B, funk, jazz, and rock.
Sam always brings the trombone alive and never ceases to entertain the crowds to who show up to see him as a Jazz Fest tradition each year.
On the Congo Square Stage, Big Chief Donald Harrison Jr. himself delivered a magnificent performance. He discussed how he had worked with some of the biggest artists at the beginning of their careers including notorious BIG and esmerelda Spaulding before bringing out Choppa and Tonya Boyd-Cannon to perform with him on Fri on the Congo stage. The groups’ energy brought smiles to everyone in the crowd for the mid-afternoon performance.
Performing a set before The Killers was New Orleans rock band, The Revivalists. The crowd at the Festival Stage was packed, and guests were excited to close out the night with some rock music. Lead vocalist David Shaw opened with “Good Old Days,” taking off his shoes during the performance and continuing to jam out dancing across the stage. Shaw jumped off the front of the stage as usual to engage with his fans in the front row.
The Revivalists are usually the only act that I stay and watch the entire set during Jazz Fest because I am running around working. They are always my favorite at the festival as I sing with a smile and take pictures of the band that just keeps getting better and better every year.
Amy Helm took to the Fais Do-Do Stage and sang some of her folk rock songs with a hint of country and blues. The New York native and daughter of drummer Levon Helm and singer Libby Titus shared a down-to-earth performance with festival-goers who stood in awe of her beautiful sounds.
On the Festival Stage, The Killers finally began their set with a packed crowd. They performed some of their most popular hits like “Mr. Brightside” and “Somebody Told Me.” The rock band even included some unique cover songs like Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way” and Randy Newman’s “Louisiana 1927.”
Another favorite performance of the day was the highly anticipated Jon Batiste set on the Gentilly Stage. After seeing Batiste’s incredible performance at Coachella just two weeks ago, we couldn’t wait to see what he had in store for Jazz Fest, and we were not disappointed.
Batiste opened the set with his songs “Tell the Truth” and “Freedom” and started bringing New Orleans into his set when Zigaboo Modeliste and members of Preservation Hall, including Charlie Gabriel, Ronell Johnson, Clint Maedgen and Ben Jaffe, joined him on stage. Batiste also lets New Orleans guitar prodigy Brandon “Taz” Niederauer shine with solos throughout his performances.
Between singing lead vocals, sitting at the piano, strumming his guitar, banging away at the drums, or playing his signature malodica Batiste was engaged and full of energy the entire time.
As the show progressed, Batiste put on a pair of headphones and took his place behind a keyboard set-up decorated with different computer parts. He then performed some songs from his latest genre-blending record, World Music Radio. Weaving in some Afrobeats, Latin music and blues, Batiste stole the show and kept the crowd wanting more.
Stay tuned for the events of day three which include more headliners like Vampire Weekend and Chris Stapleton.
Words by Emily Cigan @emily.cigan and Amy Harris @thetraveladdictig