Welcome everyone to the latest edition of Top Five Fridays! This week, I’m taking a look at this year’s edition of Jazz Fest 2018. For complete context, I’ll be focusing solely on the second weekend since the opening weekend is getting started at the time of this writing.
Without anymore preamble, let’s get to the countdown!
#5 Aerosmith
Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and cockroaches; what do they have in common? Odds are they’ll be around forever, even after a cataclysmic event.
That doesn’t mean you should pass them up next weekend at Jazz Fest 2018. There’s no doubt that you’ll hear them play all the hits (Same Old Song and Dance, Sweet Emotion, Crazy among others), but when an iconic band like Aerosmith is performing in New Orleans, you shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to check them out.
#4 Anders Osborne
If you’ve never heard of Anders Osborne, you’re missing out (he even has a song called Lafayette). Osborne was born in Sweden, but now calls the city of New Orleans his home. His sound has that vintage feel to it and it works really well.
#3 Anita Baker
Antia Baker is a slight departure from the typical music featured here on Top Five Fridays, but this should be a sweet performance for those who enjoy a little bit of the quiet storm.
#2 Steve Miller Band
They call him the Space Cowboy. Sometimes they call him Maurice. The Steve Miller Band was one of the first classic rock groups that I can remember hearing and enjoying a lot more as I get older. Sure the lineup has changed over the years, but the sound remains the same and Miller is still rocking well into his 70s.
#1 Beck
If anyone ever asks me what kind of bands my dream festival would have, Beck is at the top of the list. He solidified that spot with his latest effort, Colors. I challenge you to find a bad song in the bunch. If Where It’s At is played next weekend, I’d be in pure ecstasy.
-Clint@1063RL