Voodoo Music Festival – NOLA For Halloween anyone?!
This Halloween you should travel down south into the bayou with me. We will make our way through the swamp to the mighty Mississippi, ending in one of the country’s oldest port cities. Upon reaching our destination we will teleport through time, back to the mid 1700’s landing in a world of cobblestone streets, libations at every corner and superstitions pre dating the location itself. Only one place in this country can truly fit this description, “Bienvenue en Louisiane” or welcome to Louisiana. More specifically New Orleans, home to the one and only Voodoo Music festival.
This monster of a music festival can only be held in this location, dedicated to the biggest and baddest gatherings in the country. In its incredibly impressive 17th year, this Halloween giant is an intimidating creature, you’ll need your entire team to slay. Be prepared for a life changing experience in the spookiest city in the country. This was the setting of Anne Rice’s novels for a reason and it wasn’t because the food is amazing, which it is. The setting is what dreams and nightmares are made of, as a photographer this is one of my all time favorite destinations.
This years lineup at Voodoo Music Festival is sure to bring the most diverse crowd, of any festival we have covered. I for one love that about this event, something for everyone means new friends from all walks of life. Isn’t that supposed to be the point of these gatherings?? Exposure to bands you might never see live otherwise and making new life long friends? That is what #festivallife means to this guy. Well my hats off to the People at the Voodoo Music Festival for creating what they refer to as a “Gumbo of Music” It is most certainly that with a side of cornbread, some gator bites and hurricane to wash it down. Belly to the table cause it’s time for some cajun.
This years lineup is sure to dazzle every attendee. Voodoo gives a little bit of everything for fans of all genres of music! Here’s my list of 11 acts you must see at Voodoo Music Festival 2016!!!
Tool – If you grew up in the 90’s like I did, you remember the first time you saw a Tool music video. For me it was Sober! This was a new level of creepy with an aggressive, amazing sound accompanying it. Seeing it just one time meant dingy claymation and “shaking faces” were forever burned into your memory. This unreal talented group of people will rage us on all hallows eve as we head bang through the night. Creepy and Halloween go hand in hand, nobody does this better than Tool.
Die Antwoord -Ninja, Yolandi Visser and their DJ God (formerly DJ Hi-Tek) are the incredible minds behind what is Die Antwoord. A Hip-Hop, Techno dance fest that Ninja puts in the category of counter-culture “Zef”. With a wide variety of sounds, paired with awesomely weird art exhibitions, this set at Voodoo will be insane. They can go from cute onsies to blacked out contacts and fake blood in a matter of seconds. I hope they get beyond Freaky on Halloween, New Orleans demands it.
Allison Wonderland – Coming to us all the way from Australia, Alex Sholler is surely going to get that booty movin. She pretty much has a permanent residency on my every day playlists. I have not gotten the chance to see her live yet, but I’m sure I’ll be blown away on Saturday. She’s my number one for electronic acts to see at this gathering!
G Eazy – This Oakland born Hip-Hop artist brings a whole new style to the diverse rap game. With the release of These Things Happen in 2014, Gillum let us all know we better be ready, because he’s here and he is going to be heard. Me, Myself and I was my first intro to him and I must have repeated it three times the first time I heard it. This will be one for everyone to enjoy, get ready for a hard show to beat.
Gramatik – After seeing Gramatik at Vertex this summer, he now has a permanent place on my lists. I have witnessed his live show 5-6 times, but his set in the Buena Vista was a game changer. His release of Epigram gave a brand new feel to his live performances. I was already a big fan but now he’s on a whole new level. I can only imagine what he has in store for us Sunday in the bayou.
The Claypool Lennon Delirium – Sean Lennon and Les Claypool join forces to bring you the weird, tripped out musical journey reminiscent of vivid hallucinations. The pair of alternative rock royalty are totally out of this world. With a futuristic sound that crosses time and space, no one will know what to expect when they take the stage. With a huge production like Voodoo Music Festival, their stage show should be nothing less then watching your hand trail and the earth breathe. Prepare for transcendence!!
Anderson Paak and the Free Nationals – So this is one of those groups that I’m dying to catch live. I first came across Anderson Paak on his NPR Tiny Desk Concert Video and now I can’t stop listening. Coming hard out of Southern California, Paak has not had an easy life. His lyrics reflect a world that had to survive first, then live later. From humble beginnings as a Church drummer to eventually working with the legend Dr. Dre and signing with Aftermath Entertainment, Paak has earned his voice. His music is unapologetic and raw, and with the Free Nationals accompanying him, it creates a sound that reaches deep inside of you. This has potential to be one of the biggest highs of the weekend, we won’t want to come down from.
The Weekend – If you don’t know who The Weekend is then there is a good chance you have been in a box with your finger in your ears, or you just don’t realize it. His album Beauty Behind the Madness took the #1 spot on Billboard’s top 200. What really launched him into the stratosphere was holding the number 1,2 and 3 spots on Billboard’s R&B Top Songs all at once. He’s the only person to have done this so that makes him something special. Because of this he’s had the opportunity to work with everyone from Beyonce to Daft Punk. Should be a soulful main stage performance for everyone to move too.
Porter Robinson – At 24 Porter Robinson has already been around the scene and back again, twice. Working with just about every top headlining electronic producer on the planet, his library of hits is very extensive. Get ready for a moody, energized and downright soul touching performance. He’s got all the right sounds to hit you in the feels. Idk how Friday of Voodoo Music Festival could possibly be any better. See y’all at Porter Robinson, left side stage front, I’ll be the one dancing my ass off while taking pictures. Not to be missed!!!!
Cage The Elephant – With a high energy live show to get you up moving ready to rage, Cage the Elephant makes the list. These guys have such a diverse range, there’s always something for everyone. They bring a fast pace and high energy to their live shows, so they will be perfect for a late night energy burst.
The Chainsmokers – With all the success and attention they have received this year, an honorable mention of The Chainsmokers is required. I saw these gentleman at Tomorrowworld 2015, 4 pm on the main stage. At the time nobody really knew who they were, except my girl and fellow contributor Magalie Noebes, she actually introduced me! Blown up is an understatement. Since the final Tomorrowworld they have performed on the MTV VMA’s and sold out shows around the country. They are amazing when they are on, so let’s hope they bring the heat to Voodoo Music Festival. It’s what the fans deserve and what we are begging for. As the song says, Don’t let me down!
This massive event is truly the definition of diversity. Not only will the music be unreal but, the crowd it will produce will be a melting pot of amazingness. I’m excited to make new friends from all over the globe and rock to amazing beats with every one of them. 17 years of successfully throwing a festival is a big deal. Millions of people have witnessed this event and thousands of musicians have graced her stage. This year it’s my turn to take the monumental leap into the pit and come out with a blown mind. I hope this helps get you psyched for Voodoo Music Festival, I will do my best to give you the coverage a festival like this deserves. See you all in New Orleans.