Ray Abshire Cajun Band performing on the Fais Do-Do Stage

Like to hear great live music, munch on tasty treats and enjoy some epic people watching? Then you need to get to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

I have heard about this festival for years, but can honestly say I had no idea how enormous this event was. This year’s festival featured Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Maroon 5, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, Harry Connick Jr., Snoop Dog and many, many more (click here to see the complete list).

Lost Bayou Ramblers performing on the Gentilly Stage

So how does Jazz Fest pack so many acts together? Believe it or not, they have 3 very large stages (Acura Stage, Gentilly Stage and Congo Square Stage) that have bands perform at the same time. The day I attended, I had to choose between Maroon 5, Alabama Shakes and Usher. Oh yeah, there are also 8 other acts on smaller stages including the Jazz Tent, the Gospel Tent and the marvelous Blues Tent where you can hear a wide variety of interpretations on this truly Americana genre of music.

Actual photo of Adam Levine’s brain hurting

The area is so crammed with music that Adam Levin (Maroon 5 frontman) quipped “we’ll have to reconfigure our set so we’re not doing the acoustic part while the Blues Tent is shredding” (Jonny Lang was performing). “It’s literally making my brain hurt,” said Levine.

You would think Jazz Fest is all about the music, but there is lots more to take in, mainly the food. The food list is as impressive as the music line-up and features your typical Creole/Cajun servings of jambalaya, po-boys, muffuletta sandwiches, boiled crawfish, shrimp and grits, red beans and rice, boudin balls, plus many other tasty treats.

               Yummy Crawfish Bread!

You can’t go wrong with any of it, but locals head straight for the Crawfish Bread stand. This decadent collection of warm bread with melted cheese and crawfish will have you asking ‘where have you been all of my life’. My suggestion is to get there early and eat one as soon as you can, then head over later in the day to chow down on some Crawfish Monica which consists of a bowl of totini pasta with bits of crawfish and enough cream and butter to clog even the most healthy of arteries.

Looking for something sweet? You’ll find plenty of Sno-Ball stands, praline stuffed beignets and the infamous Roman Chewing Candy Company. Another pleasant surprise is what the festival charges for the food and drink. Water was $3 a bottle, the Crawfish Bread was $7 and beers (you knew they had to have alcohol there right?) started around $8.

After spending nine hours of listening to awesome live music, pounding down great food and hanging around with festival attendees that are as varied as the music and food, all I can say is “Laissez le bon Temps Rouler”!

Can you spot us?