2018 New Orleans Jazzfest, Artist Predictions

Soon the lineup for the 2018 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be announced very soon (hopefully end of this week or next) but we got the early scoop...

Actually no we don't...but since it is fun to predict, lets look into the crystal ball and guess who will be and who should be playing. We will exclude local acts (even though they are the main reason we go) including nationally touring NOLA acts like Irma Thomas, Dr. John, Galactic and Trombone Shorty who will all be there. Lets just talk about the bigger national touring artists for now....

To get in the southern festive NOLA mood, here is a great video done by Jeronimo Acero that my friend the fantastic Lu Brow sent north to warm me up during the winter.

a glimpse of LOUISIANA from Jeronimo Acero on Vimeo.

Now on to the predictions....

With other Festival announcements leaking already we got some ideas on who could be playing. Here are some of thoughts on pretty strong contenders to hit the fairgrounds.

Anita Baker-

Billboard kinda sorta leaked this one so it seems pretty certain that the soul singer will be making a stop in the Big Easy during the best festival in the country.

Jimmy Buffet-

He plays almost every year right? Brings the fans and the sunshine is perfect for the parrot heads.

Zac Brown Band-

See Buffet's line above...

U2-

This is the big headliner/rumor going around now. Their tour dates seem to leave a spot open for Jazzfest and they have never played it (to my knowledge), and the fest usually likes one huge name that will put asses in their VIP Big Chief seats. Not sure their stadium visuals would translate but you never know. 

Neil Young Promise of the Real-

Neil playing with Willies boys again at the fairgrounds, this just feels like a safe bet.

Pink-

Every year it seems the fest goes for one biggish pop act and Pink touring this year seems to fit the bill as someone the festival would like to present. Beyonce could be a fit here as well, but would she do a festival like this? Would she take it over?

Here we go to a new category where we mention both people who will be playing and should be playing...

Jason Isbell-

He is a perfect fit for this festival. His tour dates have an opening the second weekend of the fest for both Thursday and Friday and we would love to see him down there, maybe headline the Acura Stage on Thursday the 3rd?

Japandroids-

The fellas are hitting festivals like Governors Ball, so a Jazzfest premier seems like a nice addition to the duos legacy.

Benjamin Booker-

This seems like it needs to happen, a few years ago Gary Clark Jr. burned down the blues tent, it is Bookers turn in 2018 as he is already set to play Coachella.

David Byrne-

Touring solo for the first time since 2009, he already has Lollapalloza and Coachella slots. Hopefully he fills up the whole in his touring dates with a spot during the second weekend of Jazz Fest.

Margo Price-

We caught her last year at the Festival and she is a perfect fit to headline the Fais-Do-Do stage yet again with her awesome country tunes and will be making the festival circuit so this one fells very very safe.

Jack White-

Oh please God/Buddha/Jehovah/Cosmic-oneness-of-the-universse make it the second weekend....

And finally some people who should be playing, but probably won't be...

Dr. Dog-

We think this shaggy bunch would fit in perfectly at the fest and yet they have not played it. Looks like they got new music about to drop as well.

Screaming Females-

Speaking of new music, their album is coming out in early 2018. Playing the fest would be huge for them, but even a late night show would be appreciated.

Lil' Wayne-

Probably not the NOLA festival for him, but hot dame RtBE would love to catch Weezy at the fairgrounds.

Bob Dylan-

One of these years he is going to return to the festival, so why not this year...we loved the last Beacon show he played.

Tom Waits-

If we are shooting for the moon....why not Waits?