Superfly's Rick Farman believes that booking jam bands in clubs and theaters can make New Orleans music fans out of jam-band fans. It gets New Orleans music out there. Tipitina booking agent Adam Shipley takes a direct approach to promoting New Orleans music via popular national acts. Shipley frequently books local acts as openers, and has brass bands second line between sets. The mass influx of visiting musicians heightens the musical atmosphere during Festival time.
Many bands enjoy inviting surprise guests to their shows, and the possibilities are nearly endless.
A lot of these musicians are friends. Local musicians are more likely to mix it up during Jazz Fest as well. That was like old times. Apart from the magic that comes with seeing live music with surprise guests and unexpected twists, sometimes it's the simple fact that one can do this all night in New Orleans that draws people in from out of town. Staples emphasizes the importance of late-night activity to the local scene.