2010 New Orleans JazzFest Lineup | Apr 23 – May 2

Nice to have an early Christmas present with the lineup release of the 2010 edition of JazzFest.  What a sweet group of musicians.

The 2010 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be special because I am moving down to the “Big Easy” in March, which eliminates one hassle of finding a cheap hotel room as in previous stays.

The highlights  are listed below and here are the complete lists (so far) for the 1st weekend and 2nd weekend.

• Pearl Jam
• Aretha Franklin
• Van Morrison
• Widespread Panic
• The Neville Brothers
• B.B. King
• Jeff Beck
• Irma Thomas
• Gipsy Kings
• The Dead Weather
• Elvis Costello & the Sugarcanes
• Teena Marie
• Allen Toussaint
• Gov’t Mule
• Average White Band
• Jose Feliciano
• Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers
• Maze feat. Frankie Beverly
• Kirk Franklin
• Wayne Shorter Quartet
• Gil Scott Heron
• Kenny Wayne Shepherd
• Clarence Carter
• Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band
• rest of the 2nd weekend

Tickets

Daily tickets are going fo $45 a day for either the 1st weekend or 2nd weekend.

Weekend passes are $120 for the 1st weekend and $160 for the 4 day 2nd weekend.

VIP Packages

The top VIP package called Big Chief Experience is $850 for the 1st weekend and $900 for the 2nd weekend. I did the Big Chief in 2005 and 2007 and my review of the 2007 version here.

My reviews for the 2nd weekend of 2007 –  Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3.

The Grand Marshall VIP Pass will give you a front row, standing room area that is barricaded off for the Acura Stage, Gentilly Stage and Congo Square Stage.  I did this in 2008 and made for some nice photo taking. The price is  $550 for the 1st weekend and $600 for the 2nd weekend.

My reviews for the 1st weekend of 2008 –  Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 and the 2nd weekend –  Day 1, Day 2 and Day 4.

Another VIP package that made its first appearance for 2009 is the Krewe of Jazz Fest and this gets you a covered area at the Acura Stage with dedicated restrooms and bar.  The 1st weekend is $350 and the 2nd weekend is $400.

There is a layaway option available for all the VIP packages, the basics are you pay 50% upfront and 100% of your fees and pay the remainder on March 1, 2010.  For more on this, go to the top right hand side of the Ticketmaster order page and click on the tab marked “Event Info”.

Other Ticket Options

The local public radio station, WWOZ, has the Brass Pass for $400 that is used to raise funds for their operations and I have used on occasion.  It is for both weekends, is transferable to another person and has a sweet hospitality tent where you can chill in between sets.  Great deal…

JazzFest at nite

If the day sessions are not enough for you, there are several venues around town at night to fill that need.  The best way to keep up with this is to head on over to JazzFestGrids.

Hotels

You can take a gander at the rates that the JazzFest folks have negotiated and if you are quick enough you might wind up with a decent deal.

If you use Hotwire or Priceline and wondering about the best deals and which hotels are covered, head on over to Swagland and he can give you the skinny on both.  It will save you tons of time and frustration.

Cuisine

The food at Fest is the best and I could give you recommendations, but they are too numerous to list.  I always do a run through and check out all the booths at the beginning of the weekend to scope out the new ones as well as my favorites.

Grabbing a reservation at night at some of the more popular restaurants can be a hassle as well as the place being crowded.  So beware…..

Any Other Questions

I have been going to JazzFest since the 80’s, so if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me.

My best advice from years of going to New Orleans:  It is a marathon, not a sprint. There are way too many things to do and never enough time.  Pace yourself accordingly….. it is all good..