Scoop: Jazz Fest drops CD sales

The big picture: CD sales nationwide have largely been dropping for years, and that's the case at Jazz Fest, too, the representative says.

Zoom in: Jazz Fest artist contracts didn't include the option to sell CDs or records on-site this year.

• The event doesn't have much storage space to manage the physical recordings, and heat makes vinyl sales an impossibility.
• Waning sales was the final nail in the coffin, according to the representative.
• Instead, the Rhythmporium, which has long been the fest's CD shop, will host live music, a lounge, a bar and sell other merchandise.

Yes, but: Merch tables are making a comeback, according to Billboard, and CD sales grew slightly in 2021, according to Recording Industry Association of America's annual sales report.

• Gen Z's interest is helping, but CD sales still accounted for just 3% of recorded music revenue in 2022, the RIAA says.

Between the lines: New Orleans still has some great options for filling out your stack of locally-produced vinyl or CDs.

• And you don't need to buy a Jazz Fest ticket to visit them.
• Go deeper for Where Y'at's list of local record stores.