French Quarter Festival kicked off yesterday with an early headlining set from Aaron Neville, who graced the Abita Stage with his brother Charles by his side. The legendary New Orleans ended up delivering a roughly 70-minute set that featured covers of “The Drifters’ “Please Stay,” Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away,” Randy Newman’s “Louisiana 1927” and an encore rendition of Sam Cooke’s “A change is Gonna Come.” The new cut “Stompin’ Ground” was the only selection from his fantastic 2016 album Apache to make the set.
Elsewhere at French Quarter Fest, local favorites like Ellis Marsalis, John “Papa” Gros, Mia Borders, Naughty Professor, Bag of Donuts, Brass-A-Holics, Joe Krown, and more took the stage.
All photos by Noé Cugny.
