The Vinyl District is proud to be a sponsor of the French Quarter Festival for the sixth year in a row! We will be bringing you picks for all four days as well as a recap when it’s all said and done. Thursday’s schedule is the lightest one of the long weekend, but has some highlights including a really big first. The full schedule is here.
The big news is Aaron Neville (pictured at top) is returning to his hometown and playing for the first time at French Quarter Fest. He is scheduled for 3:45 PM on the Abita Beer stage in Woldenberg Park. It’s only an hour and fifteen minute set, so get there early.
Neville decamped to New York following Hurricane Katrina. He also retired from his family band, the Neville Brothers, effectively ending an era in New Orleans music. But he has stayed busy and this year released a new album, Apache, which may have surprised some fans, but made this one particularly happy.
The recording features younger musicians and in many respects is a heartfelt look back at his youth. It harkens to a time that is long gone in New Orleans, and many of the people and places it references are gone as well. It’s bittersweet to see the changes, but change is inevitable and it’s great to see Neville rolling with it at 75 years young.
Early in the day, two women of much younger vintage who also paid some dues in an earlier iteration of the city are playing on separate stage both beginning at 11 AM. Kim Carson is a little bit country and Ingrid Lucia is a little bit traditional jazz, but both are dynamic performers.
At the end of the day, the new Jack Daniels stage in the 600 block of Decatur Street features Otra. This Cuban-inspired band will get the crowd dancing. Listen for inspired percussion work and stellar horn playing.
Check back tomorrow for Friday picks.
