Post-fest picks: Beyond the Fairgrounds

With Jazz Fest rapidly approaching, you may find yourself feeling a bit overwhelmed by the staggering amount of live music options presented over the next two weeks.  While some of the toughest decisions will be made at the Fairgrounds (Trombone Shorty or Buddy Guy or John Fogerty or Herbie Hancock?!), there are still tons of choices to make after the main event shuts down at 7:00.  

We scoured the exhaustive Jazz Fest Grids to hunt down those extraordinary shows, the ones you won’t see any other time of year and may never see again.  Whether it’s a tribute set or an all-night party, these are the shows you won’t want to miss this Jazz Fest and will be telling your friends about for years to come.  

Thursday 4/25 – Hendrix, Heads, and Tails

NOLA Brewing, 7:00, $20

NOLA Brewing gets the party started with all-star tributes to Jimi Hendrix and Talking Heads the first Thursday of Fest.  The Hendrix group features member of The Revivalists and North Mississippi All Stars, as well as organ wizard John Medeski and blues savant Johnathon Long, while Gravity A’s Talking Heads cover set is a well-oiled groove machine that does justice to the weirdly wonderful music of David Byrne and co.  Throw in an ample supply of crawfish and some of the best beer in the city and consider your Jazz Fest officially kicked off.

Friday 4/26 – Joe Russo’s Almost Dead

Mardi Gras World, 9:00, $40

The guys that compromise the supergroup Joe Russo’s Almost Dead bring an energetic and exploratory approach to the Grateful Dead catalog that makes the timeless tunes feel fresh yet familiar.  JRAD has been doing multi-night stands during Jazz Fest since 2015 that have earned rave reviews from hardcore Deadheads and casual fans alike.  Check out what the fuss is all about at Mardi Gras World on 4/26 or 4/27.

Saturday 4/27 – Leafopotomus

Maple Leaf Bar, 10:00, $25

The Maple Leaf’s unofficial house band, The New Orleans Suspects, host a guest-filled Saturday night show that will surely rattle some dust from the legendary walls of the Oak St. haunt.  Soulive guitarist Eric Krasno, sacred steel master Roosevelt Collier, and P-Funk alumnus Eric McFadden are just a few of the guests sitting in for this night of stone-cold New Orleans funk.

Sunday 4/28 – The Word

Joy Theatre, 9:00, $32.50

After taking a few years off, The Word returns to The Joy Theater for their “First Sunday Sermon” to offer a bit of redemption for all the sinners who partied a little too hard all weekend.  Featuring the twin slide-guitar attack of Luther Dickinson and Robert Randolph, The Word plays revved-up gospel with an Allmans groove.  Expect plenty of guest sit-ins.

Monday 4/29 – Delvon Lamarr’s disORGANized

Cafe Istanbul, 8:30 PM, $25

Although he hails from the Pacific Northwest, Delvon Lamarr’s organ trio sounds right at home in the clubs of New Orleans.  Lamarr’s set at the Jazz Tent will surely be packed – fortunately the band will play a gig at Cafe Istanbul Monday night for those who miss his set at the Fairgrounds.

Tuesday 4/30 – Dragon Smoke

One Eyed Jack’s, 9:00, $40

Dragon Smoke materializes a few times a year to serve up an infectious stew of NOLA funk and Louisiana roots that is uniquely suited for this hometown wrecking crew.  Led by Ivan Neville and Eric Lindell and backed by the Galactic rhythm section of Stanton Moore and Robert Mercurio, Dragon Smoke always delivers jaw-dropping performances that make you wonder why this band doesn’t just hit the road and conquer the scene.  Not too shabby for a part-time gig.

Wednesday 5/1 – NOLA Crawfish Fest

Central City BBQ, 3:00, $45

The NOLA Crawfish Fest returns to Central City BBQ with more mudbugs and more music than ever.  The festival runs Monday-Wednesday and features a who’s who of the best funk and blues players in town. Wednesday’s lineup is especially tasty, with a rare duo set from Anders Osborne and David Torkanowsky followed by two of the best young blues artists in the world, Samantha Fish and Jonathon Long.

Thursday 5/2 – Love in Vain: The Blues Roots of the Rolling Stones

Little Gem Saloon, 8:30 PM $15

Kicking off weekend 2 at the Fairgrounds, The Little Gem Saloon hosts a tribute to that band that almost played Jazz Fest.  The Thursday night dinner show focuses exclusively on the blues tunes that shaped The Stones, with a cast of local bluesmen including Alvin “Youngblood” Hart and Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes.  If you still need to get some satisfaction, The Little Gem Saloon has you covered.

Friday 5/2 – Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe presents R.E.S.P.E.K.T.: A Tribute to the Queen of Soul

Orpheum Theatre, 9:00 PM, $35

Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe always brings a killer tribute set during Jazz Fest and this year the late great Aretha Franklin gets the royal tribute at one of the grandest venues in town.  Make sure to get there early to catch sets from My Morning Jacket’s Carl Broemel and soul-revivalists Durand Jones & the Indications.

Saturday 5/3 – Kamasi Washington

Joy Theater, 2:00 AM, $35

After a couple of years holding court at One Eyed Jack’s during Jazz Fest, Kamasi Washington returns to New Orleans for a prime-time set at the Fairgrounds and a late-night show at the Joy Theater.  The saxophonist’s boundary-pushing compositions will be well suited for the confines of The Joy, and the late night crowd will be sure to follow him wherever his horn may lead.

Sunday 5/4 – Nicholas Payton

Chickie Wah Wah, 8:00 PM & 10:00 PM, $28.50

Chicki Wah Wah closes out Jazz Fest with some actual jazz, courtesy of Nicholas Payton.  The multi-instrumentalist will be popping up around town during both weeks of Fest, but the chance to see him up close and personal at Chickie Wah Wah is not to be missed.  The perfect comedown for the post-Fest blues.