Jazz Fest 2022 Announces Star-Studded Lineup Led By The Who

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The organizers of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, better known simply as Jazz Fest, have announced a star-studded lineup for the 2022 edition of the fest, which returns on April 29 – May 8 after being kayo’d for two years in a row due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Headlining this year’s festival are such classic rock legends as The Who and Stevie Nicks.

They’ll be joined by a lengthy lineup that includes Elvis Costello & the Imposters, Boz Scaggs, Foo Fighters, Randy Newman, Jimmy Buffett, Melissa Etheridge, Willie Nelson, the Black Crowes, and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.

The festival, held at the Fairgrounds Race Course in New Orleans, spans two weekends: April 29 – May 1 and May 5-8. Tickets are available here.

The 2021 edition was cancelled twice. Once from its traditional spring slot and again in the fall, due to the “current exponential growth” of Covid-19 cases in New Orleans and the region. At the time of the second cancellation last August, the organizers had only recently added the Rolling Stones to the 2021 bill as part of the band’s No Filter tour.

The Who’s last performances were brief, acoustic sets held on February 12 and 14, 2020, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of their legendary Live at Leeds concert. Their last traditional concert took place on Oct. 24, 2019, at the Hollywood Bowl. Given the infrastructure that the band’s road show requires, it’s reasonable to expect that they will announce other dates this spring. They headline Jazz Fest on April 30.

Much of the 2022 lineup were scheduled to appear at the 2020 and 2021 festivals.

Jazz Fest always includes artists spanning a broad range of music genres among its 500 bands. Others booked for 2022 are Lionel Richie, Irma Thomas, David Sanborn, Bettye LaVette, Ludacris, Trombone Shorty, Ricky Skaggs, Buddy Guy, José Feliciano, and Norah Jones.

Started in 1970, Jazz Fest annually celebrates the unique culture of New Orleans and the region drawing fans from around the country and around the world.