It’s been a busy day in Jazz Fest news. Just hours ago, OffBeat.com reported on Fleetwood Mac’s cancellation of their May 2 appearance at the 50th annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (presented by Shell). Their cancellation came just days after the band was announced as the replacement for The Rolling Stones. Now, festival organizers have swiftly updated fans to inform them that Widespread Panic will now perform in replacement of the replacements.

Due to a bout with the flu, Stevie Nicks (and, by extension, Fleetwood Mac as a whole) was forced to step away from Jazz Fest. However, the addition of southern rock group Widespread Panic is likely to delight plenty of music fans.

According to Jazz Fest, admission for May 2 will no longer be date specific (meaning, one need not purchase a separate ticket for May 2 – general admission will now be accepted). Second weekend general admission tickets will now be valid for any one day of the weekend, including May 2. General admission tickets to either weekend are only $75 through the day prior to each weekend.

Furthermore, May 2 will now become a second Locals Thursday, together with April 25. For both Thursdays, tickets will be only $50 dollars at the gate for Louisiana residents who present valid identification, up to two admissions per resident. Children’s tickets (ages 2 – 10) are only $5 and will now be available on every Festival day (at the gate only).

May 2 also features Tom Jones, Mavis Staples, Ziggy Marley and tons of local musicians.

Tickets are available at www.nojazzfest.com and www.ticketmaster.com.

Click here for OffBeat’s guide to Jazz Fest 2019.