Sazerwrap 2025

In years past we have delivered a Sazerwrap to catalog our personal New Orleans Jazzfest experience, so we will continue this year. 

We have reviewed some of the shows we caught already and it should be stated: Jazzfest in New Orleans is RtBE's absolute favorite time of the year. 

Yet another great year with amazing music, catching up with old friends, making new ones, and experiencing the best food we have ever had during any of our Jazzfest trips both on the fairgrounds and elsewhere (thanks Jeff!)

Let's start with the food this year, because, wow. For some reason it has taken until this year (our 16th? 17th? Fest?) for me to try the Cochon De' Lait Po'Boy at the Fairgrounds and I have no idea what the hell I was waiting for. My mouth is watering just typing about it and I can't wait until having another next year. 

Another major food highlight at the Fairgrounds were the fried stuffed bell pepper bites, which had crab and shrimp in them. Tasty as all hell. 

Also at the Threadhead Fest, we got a nice helping of crawfish and jambalaya with cracklings that were delicious. 

While the Fairgrounds and Threadhead food is legit, we did it up proper for meals. Clancy's, Brennan's, Hungry Eyes, Cochon, Briquette, and August were all unbelievably tasty. 

Top notch food from all of them, but it was hard to beat Emerils. We did the tasting menu and this was food nirvana. Pics are below and things were so good I went back and hit up the wine bar just for the BBQ shrimp, gumbo and more. Really unbelievable restaurant all around and I hope EJ and crew get all the Michelin Stars they deserve (two!). 

 

Gorgeous and delicious thanks to the wait staff, lead by Corey, for an amazing experience. 

The Music:

So RtBE spent two days at the Fest itself, both Saturday's. During the first we bounced around, catching various artists including Kyle Roussel, Irma Thomas, John Boutte, Treme Brass Band and Pocket Aces Brass Band. While all of these were cool, we were waiting for Lil Wayne to make his Jazzfest debut. I could write a lot about this set, but Nola.com completely nailed it, so read their take which is 100% aligned with RtBEs. 

On the second Saturday we just planted our asses at the mainstage for a ripping set (as always) from RtBE favorite Sam Fish. Dumpstaphunk also threw down a great set of funky music highlighted by the elongated brass solo's that were monstrous. Headliner Pearl Jam, did a great job playing a set of highlight tunes and a few surprises ("Red Mosquito" with Danny Clinch on harmonica) that had fans of all ages singing along.   

Catching Punkadelic with special guest Norwood Fisher at BJ's Lounge was a joy, while Threadhead and JRAD deserved their own reviews. Jazzfest replenishes the soul each and every year. 

 Here is a playlist of short clips from some of the acts we caught. Can't wait until 2026!