Widespread Panic replaces Fleetwood Mac (who replaced Rolling Stones) at Jazz Fest

New Orleans Jazz Fest has been having trouble filling the headlining slot for Thursday, May 2. The Rolling Stones were originally booked, but dropped out when they postponed their tour while Mick Jagger had heart valve replacement surgery. Fleetwood Mac were announced to replace them, but days later they, too, cancelled their set, to give Stevie Nicks time to recover from the flu. Now Jazz Fest has announced a replacement for Fleetwood Mac which isn't quite as enticing: Widespread Panic. They'll join Mavis Staples, Ziggy Marley, Tom Jones, Anders Osborne, and other on May 2.

May 2 ticketholders will have the option to receive a full refund or to use their ticket for any day of Jazz Fest's second weekend. From Jazz Fest:

Ticketholders for May 2 will receive a notice from Ticketmaster to exercise their option to use their tickets on any day of the second weekend of Jazz Fest or to receive a full refund.

Admission for May 2 at Jazz Fest will no longer be day-specific. Second weekend general admission tickets will now be valid for any one day of the weekend, including May 2. General admission tickets to either weekend are only $75 through the day prior to each weekend. May 2 will now also become a second Locals Thursday (along with April 25). For both Thursdays, tickets will be only $50 dollars at the gate for Louisiana residents who present valid identification, up to two admissions per resident. Children’s tickets (ages 2 – 10) are only $5 and will now be available on every Festival day (at the gate only).