’Tis the season for music festivals in south Louisiana. Make the best of each busy weekend and see and hear all that you can. We’ve got the basics and some tips for the biggest music events here and nearby you shouldn’t miss.
Why you should go: It expands to two days this year (plus a week of Blues Fest tie-in events including Live After Five that Friday), and is getting on par with other top music festivals in the state.
What makes it great: It’s entirely homegrown (support local!), and this year’s lineup is one of the biggest yet, with Buddy Guy, Kenny Neal, Henry Gray and more local legends mingling with younger acts that have taken inspiration from the swamp blues.
Food: Expect plenty of local restaurants, food trucks and vendors such as Dat’z Italian woodfired pizza truck and the delicious pretzel-baking startup Rösch Bakehaus.
Hidden gems: Backstage at the Blues Fest offers a chance to listen to some of the performers tell stories and play a tune or two (if they are so moved) upstairs in the Old State Capitol. Stick around in the rotunda for small sets from local acoustic acts “busking” for tips. Head to the arts market behind the Galvez Plaza stage for wares from local makers.
(Photo courtesy Festival International)
Festival International de Louisiane When: April 20-24 Where: Downtown Lafayette festivalinternational.org
Why you should go: It’s an hour away. It’s free. With four main stages, and three smaller stages, it’s huge.
What makes it great: You won’t know many of the names on the roster, and that’s sort of the point—it’s a celebration of international music and the lineup is always crowd-pleasing. There are also plenty of familiar Cajun, zydeco and Louisiana-centric bands in the mix.
Food: Head to the pop-up biergarten on Jefferson Street for food trucks and plenty of brews. Elsewhere, there are dozens of food vendors scattered about and also a walkup window at Pamplona Tapas Bar on Jefferson Street serving paella.
Hidden gems: Around downtown, duck into Reve Coffee Roasters for excellent java, Genterie Supply Co. for hip clothing and accessories, Parish Ink for clever Louisiana-themed graphic tees and the Acadiana Center for the Arts for a festival-themed showing of Haitian works.
(Photo courtesy New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival)
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival When: April 22-May 1 Where: Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans nojazzfest.com
Why you should go: It attracts some of the biggest names in music. It’s a mammoth event.
What makes it great:Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Pearl Jam, Beck and so many more crowd-pleasers this year. Plus, it’s developed a reputation for surprise guests popping up to jam on even the smallest stages.
Food:Ah, the food. This is one of the few music festivals in the country where the grub is as much of a draw as the music. Prepare your stomach for crawfish bread, cochon de lait po-boys, stuffed artichokes, ya ka mein and more.
Hidden gems: You’ll be trapped inside the fair grounds all day, but there are still plenty of overlooked sights to take in. Head to the Lagniappe Stage in the grandstand for shade, seating and acoustic sets. Don’t miss all the incredible African shops around Congo Square.
