2026 New Orleans JazzFest Artist Predictions

The lineup for the 2026 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be announced soon, but RtBE got the early scoop...

Actually, no we don't...but since it is fun to predict, let's look into the crystal ball and guess who will be and who should be playing.

We will exclude the brass bands and local acts (even though they are THE main reason we go each year) including nationally touring NOLA acts like Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Galactic, Samatha Fish, Trombone Shorty, Big Freedia, Rebirth Brass Band and many many more ,who will all be there.

Also we are obviously skipping the great jazz, blues, and gospel acts who will be the foundation of the festival in their respective tents. Honestly, they are what makes this festival special and a major reason people like RtBE make an annual journey down south. 

Let's 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....

Solid Bets:

Bob Dylan

RtBE usually end or predictions list every year with Bob as it would be a dream to see him at JF. However, this year looks like a real possibility with a gap in his recently announced tour on 4/26 and multiple days the second weekend. This is VERY exciting!

John Fogerty 

He is touring and playing great! Would be perfect to see John and his family band playing the big stage. Fogerty would be a dynamite headliner. 

Alabama Shakes 

Now that they are back together it would make so much sense for them to play JF. They have already announced other Fests in 2026, so this seems like a lock.  

David Byrne 

Coming off an album last year Byrne would be a good fit for the festival. He has open tour dates for the first weekend. 

My Morning Jacket

Could hit the JF before their Mexico festival, and they love NOLA. 

Mavis Staples

Mavis is touring with no dates after March, she and her excellent band should drop by.

Bonnie Raitt

She is touring later in the year, both weekends are free. 

Jason Isbell

Would be an excellent fit at JF. He has space in his tour schedule that would work the first weekend.

Sturgill Simpson

Seems up this festival's alley and he currently is free. 

Jon Batiste 

Is a go to headliner for years to come since this is his hometown Fest. 

Possible Big Name Long Shots:

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band:

Springsteen and E Street topped our favorite show of 2024 and 2025 and don't start their European tour until after Jazzfest. It could work out...

Zach Bryan

Seems very likely to headline eventually, why not this year? He has open dates.  

Chappell Roan 

JF always has at least one big name pop star, maybe this year is Chappell? 

NIN 

They start their 2026 tour in New Orleans, so maybe not, but they have nothing booked after March. They were always more of a Voodoo Fest band...man, I wish that Festival would come back. 

Billy Strings

Strings is the perfect Thursday headliner for this festival for years to come. He will be in this column every year until he stops touring. Speaking of artists in the that vein...

Now some bands who always seem to play the festival, and with good reason. They will probably be playing the festival again this year:

Wilco

 RtBE has caught them a few times already in the Big Easy. Seems decent bet.

Trucks and Tedeschi Band

Because they should headline every Thursday of the second weekend, they are the right band for that job with Widespread Panic not touring as much...speaking of which...

Widespread Panic

Because if they are touring, they are going to play Jazzfest.

Los Lobos

They should play every year, just after The Iguana's on the Fais Do Do stage. Having seen that a few times already, that combo is perfect to these ears. 

Spoon

The band loves NOLA and it is a quick shot from Austin to the Acura stage.

 

Now a few lower level national touring acts who could/should be gracing the stages:

Robert Randolph & The Family Band

I am not sure this act has ever played Jazzfest, and they would fit in perfectly! 

Wednesday

They would be a great addition to the Acura stage one weekend. along those lines....

MJ Lenderman

Blowing up solo, Lenderman who is also in Wednesday would work real well at JF. Maybe late night is more his speed, but would def sound great on a big festival stage in the sun and the first weekend gives him the opportunity with his current touring schedule. 

Kristone "Kingfish" Ingram

Should be a headliner in the Blues Tent this year then moving up and headlining bigger stages each and every year. 

Brass Queens

This is a no brainer, get the Brass Queens on the Jazzfest lineup every year The NYC based outfit were custom made for it. 

Organ Fairchild

The Buffalo, NY based jam/instrumental rockers could play the Fest or a late night set in town, both would be great and worth catching.

Mikaela Davis

Seems a great fit for the fest. Don't believe she has played before. 

Yola

Yola should play the fest soon, she would be perfect. 

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

I don't think these prog rockers have yet to play the festival, while their antics may be better suited for late nights (or Daze Between), they could def throw down an interesting afternoon set.

And now some people who RtBE loves and feel that they should be playing the festival (or late night), but probably won't be....


Tom Waits-

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

Who do think is playing? Who do you want to see there? Feel free to comment below and stay tuned for the official announcement soon.