The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival kicked off at the Fairgrounds yesterday, bringing music fans nationwide to the Crescent City for the first of seven full days of festival music. Spanning from April 22nd through May 1st, Jazz Fest has hundreds of scheduled performances throughout the two weekends, and it all started yesterday!

Among the many highlights were Flow Tribe, Grace Potter, Gov’t Mule, Steely Dan, Janelle Monae, Buckwheat Zydeco, Walter Trout, and dozens more! Check out some pictures from the first day below, courtesy of Marc Millman:

Warren Haynes was joined by Grace Potter for a potent rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s “Gold Dust Woman,” reprising a collaboration that was featured on Haynes’ recent ‘Ashes & Dust’ album. The band also covered “When Doves Cry” in honor of the late great Prince.

Setlist: Gov’t Mule at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, New Orleans, LA – 4/22/16

Set: Thorazine Shuffle, Banks of the Deep End, Time To Confess, Broke Down On The Brazos, Gold Dust Woman*, When Doves Cry > Beautifully Broken > When Doves Cry > Beautifully Broken, Captured, Mule, Soulshine

Janelle Monae powers her set with Prince tributes and more! She said, “Oh, we’re gonna party. We’re gonna celebrate Prince… My entire set is dedicated to him. He was free. He was fearless. He was music. He was rock and roll. He was on beat. … I am because he was. We’re gonna break boundaries, just like he did.” [NOLA.com]

Buckwheat Zydeco brings their unique blend of New Orleans bluegrass to the Acura Stage.

Walter Trout brings some groovin’ guitar out to the Blues Tent.

Hot 8 Brass Band at Congo Square!

Alvin Youngblood pulling double duty on guitar and harmonica in the Blues Tent.

Keep N It Real Social Aid & Pleasure Club form the first parade of the festival!

Semolian Warriors bring some culture to the Jazz & Heritage Stage

Slow Rollas Brass Band are what Jazz Fest is all about!

Stay tuned for more coverage from Jazz Fest…