Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers delivered a career-spanning performance for thousands of fans who, um, wouldn’t back down from their headlining set on the Acura Stage yesterday, despite the residual effects of unpleasant weather that kept the Fair Grounds closed until 3pm.
“It’s our 40th anniversary tour,” Petty told the Jazz Fest crowd toward the beginning of his show. “We’re going to drop the needle through all 40 years and play as much as we can.”
Maceo Parker. Photo by Willow Haley.
It was a promise that Petty and his talented band of veteran rockers kept as they rolled through tunes from five different decades, including their first live rendition of “Swingin’” in nearly 18 years (Petty noted that the 1999 Echo track was inspired by Louis Armstrong). The 1994 album Wildflowers got some extra attention when Petty and co. knocked out three songs from the album in a row, eventually hitting their highest peak with a masterful, jammed out take on “It’s Good to Be a King.” Naturally, the band also treated the more casual fans to hits like “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” “I Won’t Back Down,” “Free Fallin’,” “Refugee” and “Runnin’ Down a Dream,” and “American Girl.”
Petty wasn’t the only headliner to brave the weather. In fact, the only one who bailed was Pitbull, a fact that was pointed out on signs that were placed at the entrance of the festival. Over on the Gentilly Stage, New Zealand pop star Lorde offered the crowd an hourlong set of old and new material while saving her biggest hits—”Team” and “Royals”—for the end of her show (the 20-year-old singer also expressed her desire to see Tom Petty on the other side of the fest). Lorde took the stage after fellow singer Elle King, who brought her rootsy approach to pop to the Gentilly Stage for the second year in a row.
The Jazz Tent was treated to sets from John Boutte and closing act Maceo Parker (who was enlisted just a few days earlier after George Benson cancelled his appearance), while the Blues Tent welcomed New Jersey legends Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes and the Fais Do Do stage hosted Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers. Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & The Golden Eagles closed out the Jazz & Heritage Stage following an all-star, horn-filled set from the Midnight Disturbers.
Lorde. Photo by Willow Haley.
All photos by Willow Haley and Kim Welsh.
