Experience the Ultimate Rock and Jazz Fusion at Jazz Fest with the Rolling Stones – New Rules Revealed!
Rolling Stones Thursday at the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is set to be a truly unique experience. A day filled with changes and surprises awaits festival-goers, marking a historic shift in the festival’s 53-year history. Let’s take a closer look at what’s in store for this special day.
THE SCHEDULE:
The Lagniappe Stage, RhythmPourium Tent, Ochsner Children’s Tent, and Allison Miner Music Heritage Stage will not be open on Thursday. Music on all other stages excluding the main Festival Stage will wrap up by 3:45 p.m.
The Festival Stage will kick off at noon with only four acts lined up. The New Breed Brass Band with Trombone Shorty will open, followed by blues guitarist Samantha Fish and then New Orleans funk/R&B band Dumpstaphunk. Dumpstaphunk, known for their ties to Keith Richards’ side project, the X-Pensive Winos, will deliver an emotional performance following the recent passing of bassist Nick Daniels III. Finally, the Rolling Stones will take the stage from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., marking their only daytime/festival performance on the “Hackney Diamonds” tour.
Attendees are encouraged to gather in front of the Festival Stage throughout the day, although this means missing out on performances elsewhere on the festival grounds.
WHAT YOU CAN’T BRING:
To ensure ample space and prevent plot claiming, Jazz Fest has introduced specific restrictions for Thursday. Blankets, tarps, and certain collapsible chairs are prohibited. Only “small chairs” are allowed, including foldable stools or telescoping chairs with a base under 19 inches. Expect checkpoints at Fair Grounds entrances to inspect chair sizes.
The standing-room-only area at the Festival Stage extends further this year, prohibiting chairs entirely in the section.
THURSDAY TICKET SALES:
For the first time, Jazz Fest capped ticket sales for Thursday’s event. While the exact attendance figure remains undisclosed, sources estimate around 40,000 attendees. Tickets are sold out, with some available through secondary markets. Vendors, volunteers, and staff have been advised not to attend the Festival Stage show but can watch a simulcast at other locations on the grounds.
FOOD, DRINK, AND CRAFTS:
Most on-site vendors will operate as usual on Thursday, although some craft vendors may close earlier than usual based on audience flow. Concessions have been adjusted to accommodate the unique schedule for May 2nd.
ENFORCING STANDING ROOM ONLY:
Entry to the Festival Stage field will be on a first-come, first-serve basis with security personnel enforcing the standing-room-only area. Enforcement may vary based on crowd size, as seen during previous performances. Compliance with no-chair regulations has been challenging in crowded areas but remains a focus for security staff.
As the festival day unfolds, the response to these new rules and arrangements will shape the experience for attendees and participants alike. Rolling Stones Thursday promises to be a day of music, memories, and a new chapter in the Jazz & Heritage Festival’s long history.
