I’m not normally one for festival news storm chasing, but it looks to me like the New Orleans Jazz Festival is plotting to increase their stature among next year’s North American tent circuit. According to the AP’s report on the newly-unveiled lineup, Van Morrison and Aretha Franklin are headlining the NOLA event, while an amoeba of seemingly random—though interesting—acts make up the remaining roster.
Crescent City Jazz Fest first-timers include Jack White and Alison Mosshart’s The Dead Weather, My Morning Jacket (new album is totes on the way), Levon Helm Band, Anita Baker, and the Gipsy Kings.
Of course, if you’re not into any of those artists (or Pearl Jam), then perhaps one of these will strike your fancy.