Upcoming Gigs

FESTIVAL NEW ORLEANS TAKES OVER THE O2

The inaugural Festival New Orleans proved a resounding success last weekend as more than 80,000 people made their way to The O2 for this incredible free celebration of the music and culture of one of the world's most exciting cities. With an atmosphere unlike anything seen at The O2 before, revellers danced, cheered and sang along to storming sets from the likes of Dr John, Allen Toussaint, Buckwheat Zydeco and Kermit Ruffins.
In total, more than 100 New Orleans artists performed over the course of Friday and Saturday, playing to packed crowds in the IndigO2 and the newly opened Matter venue within The O2, as well as the Promenade, which was transformed into a recreation of the Big Easy’s famous Bourbon Street and saw processions from the Apache Hunter Mardi Gras Indians, the Rebirth Brass Band and the New Birth Brass Band. As well as the incredible music, demonstrations of traditional New Orleans style cuisine were held by professionals from some of the Crescent City’s best loved restaurants, as well as chefs from the New Orleans Saints NFL team, in town to play the San Diego Chargers at Wembley.

“We are proud to be associated with AEG; this was a remarkable accomplishment and achievement for us all,” said Quint Davis, CEO of Festival Productions Inc. New Orleans and the producer and director of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. “In our 40 years as a company, we have had many unique and extraordinary experiences; The O2’s Festival New Orleans will rank right up there with the best of them.”
“Festival New Orleans has proved to be one of The O2’s biggest hits. I knew it would be popular but a crowd of 80,000 proves just how important New Orleans music and culture is to Londoners and the UK. It is certainly something we will be doing again.” David Campbell, Chief Executive of AEG Europe

“Bringing the first Festival New Orleans to The O2, was a great experience. By working alongside Quint Davis (CEO of Festival Productions Inc. New Orleans and the producer and director of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival) and his team, we were able to bring the biggest celebration in New Orleans culture to the best venue in the world! It was a fantastic achievement.” Stuart Galbraith CEO of Kilimanjaro Live LTD

Festival New Orleans was the largest celebration of Louisiana music and culture to be held outside of the US, and the first festival ever put on at The O2, with 80,000 people there for Saturday’s proceedings. With its overwhelming success and huge attendance figures exceeding the already high-expectations of both its organisers and its audience, plans are already in place to hold the Festival next year as well, setting it up to become one of the UK cultural calendar’s major events.

If you require promotional live images or need further information please contact Sheela Bates or Joe Baxter @ AirMTM on 020 7386 1600 or email firstname@airmtm.com

www.TheO2.co.uk