Above: Repentance Park acts as an amphitheater for Blues Fest. Image courtesy Brian Baiamonte.
Spring in Louisiana can only mean one thing: It’s festival time. If you’re in South Louisiana, all you need to do is travel the I-10 corridor. The trifecta of Baton Rouge, Lafayette and New Orleans are hosting the hottest music festivals of the season. Here’s a preview of a few acts you’ll see at each festival and what you can check out while you’re there.
Courtesy Brian Baiamonte
BATON ROUGE BLUES FESTIVAL
When: Saturday, April 11, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Where: Baton Rouge River Center
Who’s playing: Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires, Arrested Development, Son Little.
Regional acts to check out:Larry Garner, The Chambers, Henry Turner Jr., James “Chicken Scratch” Johnson, Kenny Acosta and the House Reckers, Clay Parker, Ryan Harris and Denton Hatcher.
Price:Free; VIP tickets are available.
Why you should go: Baton Rouge knows a little something about blues music. This festival, one of the oldest blues events in the country, is one reason why the city is championed as the birthplace of blues. The event is celebrating 21 years, and the 2015 edition puts a spotlight on local fixtures as well as big-name national acts in the River Center. Read the update. Not only will you hear some blues from Larry Garner and Henry Turner Jr., but you’ll also hear some soul, zydeco, rock and hip-hop.
Where:The Fair Grounds (1752 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans)
Who’s playing: Elton John, The Who, Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga, No Doubt, Ryan Adams, Lenny Kravitz, Wilco, Sturgill Simpson, Shovels & Rope
Regional acts to check out: Buddy Guy, Tab Benoit, Kristin Diable, Lil’ Buck Sinegal Blues Band, Warren Storm, Royal Teeth, Henry Gray, Marc Broussard.
Price:Single-day tickets start at $58. VIP tickets are available.
Why you should go:The two-weekend event celebrates some of the heavy hitters in popular music while bringing Louisiana bands center stage. It’s probably the only festival where you can see Ed Sheeran, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga, Dr. John and The Radiators in the same place. If the music isn’t up your alley, the surrounding artists in the Congo Square marketplace and the food vendors (which have everything from muffalettas to shrimp macque choux) might have something that will pique your interest.
If you make the trip, don’t miss: • Parkway Bakery & Tavern, home of one of the best roast beef poboys in New Orleans, at 538 Hagan Ave. parkwaypoorboys.com • Snug Harbor, a “jazz bistro” with music seven nights a week from some of New Orleans’ finest players, such as Stanton Moore and Ellis Marsalis, located at 626 Frenchmen St. snugjazz.com
Courtesy Denny Culbert
FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL de LOUISIANE
When: April 22-26
Where: Downtown Lafayette
Who’s playing: Angelique Kidjo, DakhaBrakha, Nomadic Massive, Big Freedia, Vieux Farka Toure, JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, Tal National.
Regional acts to check out:Givers, Buckwheat Zydeco, Bonsoir Catin, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Brass Bed, Feufollet, Soul Creole, Lil Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers, Roddie Romero & the Hub City Allstars, Bas Clas, Cedric Watson & the Mad Minstrels, Sean Bruce, The Figs, Burris.
Price: Free; VIP tickets are available.
Why you should go: Lafayette’s sense of culture is a force to be reckoned with, no doubt. This annual festival brings some of the music world’s biggest names together with some of south Louisiana’s best rock, pop, Cajun and Zydeco musicians, performing across up to eight stages. The event also includes a Marché du Monde, with shopping vendors from across the nation, and regional art vendor displays in the Marché des Arts.
If you make the trip, don’t miss: • Blue Moon Saloon, a guesthouse and music venue at 215 E. Convent St. that will be one of the hottest places for after-parties and shows during the festival. bluemoonpresents.com • Pamplona Tapas Bar, located in the heart of the festival at 631 Jefferson St. This restaurant and bar will be serving its signature sangria and paella during the event. pamplonatapas.com
