Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival--how is it?
I'm considering a trip to New Orleans and I love blues/blues rock music. I've heard of the Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival. Is it a quality blues festival with great blues music and food? I understand it's free to attend, so how do they generate money to pay for quality musicians? Or are there better blues festivals?
The Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival is definitely a standout event for blues music lovers and those who enjoy great food. It’s held annually in New Orleans and offers a wonderful mix of high-quality blues performances, delicious BBQ, and the festive atmosphere that New Orleans is known for. As for whether it's a quality blues festival, the answer is a resounding yes—it's one of the city's top music events and features both local talent and national acts in the blues, blues rock, and roots music genres.
The festival typically takes place in the fall, usually in October, and while it is free to attend, it maintains a very high standard of musicianship. The lineup often includes well-known blues artists, alongside emerging talents. The venue itself is usually located in the heart of New Orleans, which adds to the charm and accessibility, making it a fantastic festival to check out for those who want to experience the city's music culture.
In terms of how the festival generates money to pay for quality musicians despite being free to attend, the festival is funded through a combination of sponsorships, donations, and food & beverage sales. The festival is organized by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the culture of New Orleans. Their foundation helps support the costs of staging the festival while ensuring that all attendees have access to great music at no charge. Vendors sell BBQ, drinks, and other food items, and these sales help support the festival’s operations and its artists.
If you're a blues enthusiast, this is a great event to check out, but depending on your preferences, there may be other festivals worth considering as well. Some other notable blues festivals in the area or nearby are:
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – While this is not exclusively a blues festival, it features a large blues component, with world-class musicians from all genres performing. It's one of the biggest festivals in New Orleans and offers a broader musical experience beyond just blues.
- Ponderosa Stomp – This is another highly regarded festival in New Orleans, often described as a celebration of roots music, blues, and R&B. It tends to focus on the more obscure and vintage side of blues, attracting connoisseurs of deep blues history.
- Bayou Blues Festival – Held in Baton Rouge, about an hour and a half from New Orleans, this festival showcases Louisiana’s rich blues history and is a great option if you're looking for more of a local, authentic vibe.
Overall, the Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival is a top-notch event for blues music lovers, and if you're in New Orleans during the festival, it's definitely worth attending. The combination of free admission, fantastic music, and delicious food makes it a unique and enjoyable experience. If you're into blues and blues rock, you'll have a fantastic time!
