Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg cancelled by rain at New Orleans Jazz Fest

Thunderstorms forced the cancellation of Saturday's late acts at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, including scheduled appearances by Stevie Wonder, rapper Snoop Dogg and Beck but the headliners appeared elsewhere later that evening.

Overcast skies turned to rain in the afternoon but that didn't stop the music as fans reveled in such acts as New Orleans bounce artist Big Freedia, Dr. John and the Nite Trippers and Hurray for the Riff Raff.

All that changed an hour later as heavier rain barred performances by Wonder and others.

"You know, $75 is a lot for a rainy day and, to only get a few acts, that's a hard pill to swallow," said Laura Monsted, of New Orleans.

Claire Mangano and her friend, Emilee Margiotta, appeared glum that the big acts were cancelled.

"But we understand," Mangano said. "It's for safety reasons, for the fans and the artists. We live here and know playing in this kind of weather can get dangerous really fast."

Wonder instead made an appearance at a smaller venue later that night. He took the stage at Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse on Bourbon St.

Snoop captured himself on social media at the Carver Theatre, where he was already slated to appear.

The jazz festival ends Sunday, with a 60 per cent or higher chance of more rain in the forecast. Scheduled performances include Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Chris Botti, Arlo Guthrie, Neil Young and Bonnie Raitt.