The massive New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival wrapped up its 53rd edition on Sunday (5/3) after two consecutive four-day weekends. The festival’s 2024 edition had its second highest attendance ever at half a million people, organizers said, and leading the lineup were The Rolling Stones, who were previously unable to appear in 2019 (while Mick Jagger had heart valve replacement surgery) and 2021 (when the whole fest was postponed due to Covid). Variety writes:

But that particular “one of us!” vibe would ratchet way up with the next guest, none other than the “Soul Queen of New Orleans,” Irma Thomas. Thomas originally recorded “Time Is on My Side,” a song the young Stones turned into one of their earliest hits. “We heard this great song in 1964,” Jagger said, confirming the worst-kept secret in New Orleans, as Thomas was escorted onto the stage and took her place alongside the band. It was one of those rare moments where Mick Jagger was not in control of his stage. Thomas is a Jazz Fest regular, with her shows at the Gospel Tent always a must-see and a highlight of any festival weekend. At 83, she is still a poised and commanding presence, and nothing about that changed because she was now onstage with the Rolling Stones. Jagger mostly provided vocal support and harmony for Thomas’ vocals. Their version of “Time Is on My Side” was pretty much a note-for-note cover of her version, but in a sadly common syndrome of the era, theirs was the hit. At least some karmic balance was achieved on Thursday.

The Stones also brought out Zydeco Hellraisers leader Dwayne Dopsie for “Let it Bleed,” and they shared a highlight reel from their time in NOLA on social media, including video of them rehearsing with Irma. Watch that below.

Neil Young & Crazy Horse headlined the second Saturday (5/4) at Jazz Fest, and paid tribute to the 54th anniversary of the Kent State University shootings with a solo rendition of “Ohio.” Watch video of that below, as well.

The festival’s 2024 edition also featured Foo Fighters, The Killers, Jon Batiste, Chris Stapleton, Vampire Weekend (who covered Bob Dylan’s “When He Returns” and part of Bruce Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart”), Juvenile, Queen Latifah, Molly Tuttle, Allison Russell, Anderson .Paak, Big Freedia, Heart, The Revivalists, Stephen Marley, Bonnie Raitt, Bomba Estereo, Béla Fleck, Michael Franti, Anders Osborne, Cyril Neville, Steel Pulse, Earth Wind & Fire, Trombone Shorty, The Beach Boys, and more. See pictures by Astrida Valigorsky below.

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