In 2022, New Orleans entertainment and culture got their groove back | Events

Though the pandemic continues, 2022 was the year New Orleans got its groove back. The city officially ended indoor mask mandates in March, but Mardi Gras proceeded almost as normal and some of the biggest celebrations returned in full force in the spring.

The Jazz & Heritage Festival became one of the most anticipated markers of the return to normality, perhaps due to the scheduled and then canceled attempt to hold a festival in October 2021, and also for bringing in a large number of touring artists, from sand rockers up to Ukraine’s DakhaBrakha. But after the January talent announcement, there was a reminder of the unpredictability of years past: The Foo Fighters canceled their appearance after the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins. Normally, the Allison Miner Music Heritage Stage would feature a full slate of interviews with musicians, but the regular series that takes place inside the grandstands was not part of this year’s festival.

But in the spring, music legends like The Who, Stevie Nicks and Lionel Richie took to the fairgrounds stages. Nicks dedicated the song “Landslide” to Hawkins as the crowd chanted.

The festival showed its many facets. Headline touring artists included Norah Jones and her side project Puss N Boots. Original Meter Leo Nocentelli played his 1971 folk album live in its entirety. Rapper Mia X was joined on stage by Mac…