Organizers of the 2019 French Quarter Festival have unveiled the details of this year’s performance lineup, as well as some other major announcements.

French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) will put on the 36th annual affair April 11-14. The free festival is widely considered to be the world’s largest showcase of Louisiana music, food and culture—and it’s only getting bigger.

More than 200 artists will perform on 23 stages, including 38 acts making their French Quarter Fest debut. Galactic will appear for the first time, as will Big 6 Brass Band, Keith Burnstein’s Kettle Black, Lil’ Glenn & Backatown, and Magnolia Sisters. Returning favorites include John Boutté, Erica Falls, Little Freddie King, Amanda Shaw, Bill Summers & Jazalsa, Irma Thomas, Water Seed and many others. 

New this year is the expansion of longtime Cajun/Zydeco destination, the Chevron Stage. It will now include more genres and feature the talents of Jon Cleary, George Porter, Jr. & the Runnin’ Partners, Flow Tribe, and Rockin’ Dopsie. 

“Our mission is to promote New Orleans’ culture and heritage, and this year we have more ways to achieve it,” said Emily Madero, President & CEO of FQFI. “Our Chevron Evening Concert Series will showcase more genres with artists like George Porter, Jr., and a new stage on the Moonwalk will expand riverfront entertainment. If you’re looking for a VIP experience, our membership program, Fest Family, now includes single day options and gives attendees a way to directly support our free event!”

At the Hilton Stage, folks can expect to see performances from Ellis Marsalis, Leroy Jones, Shannon Powell, Robin Barnes, James Andrews and others. Rebirth Brass Band, The Iguanas, and Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters will hold down the Abita Beer Stage, while the GE Stage will be buoyed by Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, Corey Henry & the Treme Funktet, and Paul Sanchez and the Rolling Road Show. Brass-A-Holics, Rory Danger & the Danger Dangers will rock the Jack Daniel’s Stage.

In addition, musicians whose performances were cancelled due to inclement weather during the 2018 event were re-booked whenever possible. A complete lineup follows:

Thursday, April 11:

Friday, April 12:

Saturday, April 13:

Sunday, April 14:

Also on the lineup are 60+ food vendors, sponsored by Broussard’s Restaurant and Courtyard. Café Maspero, Landry’s Seafood, Messina’s at the Terminal, Morrow’s, New Orleans School of Cooking, Sweet Handkraft, and We Dat’s Chicken and Shrimp will make their festival debuts, while Café Dauphine, Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse, GW Fins, Tujague’s and more will return. 

Also unveiled today is the official poster for the 2019 French Quarter Festival, which features Irma Thomas and was created by Ayo Scott.

This year’s festival will feature a program that will allow attendees to recycle plastics and cans. Sponsored by Chevron, the recycling program is part of FQFI’s goal to reduce waste and contribute to a sustainable future. “French Quarter Festivals, Inc. is striving to be an industry leader in waste reduction; it’s important to our long-term success and aligns with our mission to instill increased pride in our community,” said Emily Madero, President & CEO of FQFI. “Last year we introduced recycling at Satchmo SummerFest and diverted 1.4 tons of waste from landfills. We are thrilled to expand that effort at French Quarter Festival.”

For more information on all things French Quarter Fest, click here.