Jazz Fest 2026 Predictions
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, a New Orleans music festival centered on the city's jazz and heritage, will be taking place from April 23 to May 3, 2026.
While the headliners have not yet been officially announced, Where Y'at Magazine has some predictions of who could possibly be included in the festival's 2026 line up.
Eagles
The Eagles, one of America's most beloved rock bands, could appear at Jazz Fest 2026. The band is performing exclusively at the Las Vegas Sphere from late January to late March, and they have made a past appearance at Jazz Fest 2012. While their Vegas feature does not extend to New Orleans, the likelihood of a Jazz Fest feature, following the performance preparation already conducted for the Sphere, is probable.
Stevie Nicks
Like the Eagles, Stevie Nicks has appeared at Jazz Fest in the past, both in 2013 with Fleetwood Mac and in 2022 as a solo artist. Later this year in December, she will be performing in Florida, a Southern neighbor to Louisiana. With ties to Jazz Fest and an upcoming trip to the South, there exists a possibility of a Stevie Nicks feature at the festival.
Rod Stewart
Singer-songwriter Rod Stewart is on tour this winter and into summer of 2026. He will coincidentally—or purposefully—be performing in Texas on April 19, right by Louisiana and—suspiciously—around when Jazz Fest will be taking place.
Jon Batiste
Jon Batiste has various performance events this winter and during the summer of 2026, with a break from February 27 to July 12. Though he currently lives in New York, Batiste grew up in Kenner, Louisiana—right outside of New Orleans—making a Jazz Fest 2026 feature probable, as a tribute to his home state and neighboring city.
Kings of Leon
Rock band Kings of Leon is also touring internationally. Their stateside tour ends in Nebraska on April 25, and the band does not leave for performances in other countries until June 14. Seeming available for the second weekend of Jazz Fest, it is possible New Orleans will hear from the Kings of Leon in 2026.
Lainey Wilson
Louisiana-born Lainey Wilson will actively be on tour in 2026. With her ties to the South and her performance readiness while on tour, Jazz Fest guests hope to be enchanted by a concert from this country singer-songwriter.
Teddy Swims
Versatile artist Teddy Swims is known for his soulful, country, and R&B music output. He will be on tour in 2026, with a break from April 26 to June 13. Whether traveling home to Georgia or staying in Tennessee for his June 13 feature in Manchester, Teddy Swims will be in close proximity to New Orleans just in time for the second weekend of Jazz Fest.
Lorde
New Zealand star Lorde is currently on a world tour, with stops in Mexico during late April and early May. Her tour concludes in Mexico City on May 1, a short flight from New Orleans and perfect for making the last two days of Jazz Fest.
Tyler Childers
Country artist Tyler Childers is actively on a world tour and will be conveniently performing nearby in Dallas, Texas, on April 23. With no projected performances until June 4 in Birmingham, Alabama, Childers could easily make it to Jazz Fest 2026 with a performance set ready to go.
Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic will be touring from December to June, with a break in April and May during the same time as Jazz Fest. Before going on this break, the band will be nearby in Florida, and their frequent features at Jazz Fest, most recently in 2019 and 2024, strengthens the likelihood of their appearance in 2026.
David Byrne
Lead singer and guitarist of Talking Heads, David Byrne is a well known and acclaimed musician. He has various performances in January, February, and March of 2026, with a free proceeding events schedule. Or perhaps not so free...hopefully New Orleans can expect a Jazz Fest appearance following Byrne's tour.
The Black Keys
The Black Keys have a few performances in 2026, but not until June, making an appearance at Jazz Fest the perfect way to kick off their performance season. The Black Keys are familiar with the festival, having performed in 2013 alongside other 2026 projected features such as Stevie Nicks.
T-Pain
T-Pain is celebrating 20 years of musical prominence this year and will be hosting concerts from December through March. T-Pain is local to Georgia and was born in Florida, and one of these locations will likely be where he resides following his performances. Being reasonably distanced from New Orleans with a practiced and prepared set, the city hopes to hear from him at Jazz Fest 2026.
Raye
Raye will be on an international tour in 2026 that does not include a to visit to the States. However, her musical combination of pop and jazz would fit well in the context of Jazz Fest, which takes place two months after her tour concludes.
Tedeschi Trucks Band
Tedeschi Trucks Band is touring in 2026 from March to June with a close-by performance in Florida on April 25. Nothing proceeds this performance until June 14 when the band will head out to Tennessee. This window is ideal for a Jazz Fest appearance, especially considering how close the band will be to Louisiana.
Nas
While Nas does not have any tours scheduled in the coming year, Jazz Fest presents the opportunity to break the drought. Jazz Fest is not exclusive to just Southern or New Orleans performers, and hosting Nas would provide diversity of music with his experience in the genres of hip-hop and jazz-rap.
Classic Festival Features
Other local acts such as Irma Thomas, George Porter Jr., Kermit Ruffins, Big Freedia, Tank and the Bangas, and Trombone Shorty are more than likely to make appearances for Jazz Fest 2026 as they are regular mainstays of the festival and are acts that audiences look forward to every year.
