Unprecedented Rolling Stones Show Draws Massive Crowd of 500,000 to New Orleans Jazz Fest!

Excitement filled the air in New Orleans as the 2024 Jazz & Heritage Festival attracted a record-breaking half a million attendees, making it the second highest attendance in the festival’s history. The presence of legendary rock band the Rolling Stones on stage was the main draw, elevating the festival to new heights and leaving a lasting impression on fans.

Organizers announced that the 2024 festival surpassed the previous year’s attendance of over 460,000, with the 2001 festival holding the record with 600,000 attendees. The addition of an extra day this year, combined with the highly anticipated appearance of the Rolling Stones, contributed to the festival’s success in attracting music lovers from all over the world.

Festival producer Quint Davis expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming response to this year’s event, stating, “This year’s Festival presented as plainly as ever the beauty of Jazz Fest. Watching the Rolling Stones perform with New Orleans and Louisiana stars Irma Thomas and Dwayne Dopsie was to witness the power of the Festival to demonstrate the connection of our culture to some of the greatest music of our time.”

The Rolling Stones’ historic performance marked the culmination of a lengthy effort to bring the iconic band to the festival, following previous cancellations in 2019 and 2021. Their presence on stage was highly anticipated and met with an overwhelmingly positive reception from fans, solidifying their status as one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

The 2024 festival also featured a range of other notable performances, including a tribute set by Jon Batiste honoring New Orleans’ piano legends such as Professor Longhair, Fats Domino, and Allen Toussaint. The Foo Fighters made a memorable return to the event, while artists like Chris Stapleton, the Killers, Queen Latifah, Fantasia, and Vampire Weekend also graced the stage with their electrifying performances.

Looking ahead, the 2025 Jazz & Heritage Festival is already generating excitement, scheduled to take place from April 24 to May 4. With a lineup of incredible artists and the promise of unforgettable musical moments, next year’s event is sure to continue the legacy of celebrating the rich cultural heritage of New Orleans through the power of music.