Soon, Halloween will be upon us. This magical holiday comes on the heels of the busiest concert month of the year and offers the perfect cap to a 30 day run of jaw dropping wonder. Speaking of jaw dropping wonder, the daily line up is out for 2014’s Voodoo Music and Arts Experience in New Orleans on October 31-November 2nd and we cannot wait to get back to the Big Easy. Live Nation has outdone themselves once again and the great talent playing is just stunning. The four stages work seamlessly together, providing a wide array of musical delicacies from edm to metal to rap to rock n’ roll and everything in between. We especially like the concept of keeping genres together, namely in the edm market via the Le Plur stage presented by HARD. Regardless of your taste, Voodoo has something for you. It’s not too late to get your credentials to be a part of music history, but do not delay. Tickets are going fast and can be purchased at www.worshipthemusic.com.
Trying to describe the experience is like trying to fit all of your favorite songs on one mixtape. The lineup boast power hitters Outkast, Foo Fighters, Skrillex, Artic Monkeys, 30 Seconds to Mars, Flux Pavilion, Slayer, Pretty Lights and Ms. Lauren Hill. Not to be out done, the undercard is simply incredible. Performers such as Wild Cub, Givers, Bleachers, The Revivalist, Manchester Orchestra, Desert Noises, Yung Nation and Naughty Professor all will have the crowd rushing out to see them again. And in the middle of the pack, festival favorites like John Butler Trio, Twenty One Pilots, Big Freedia, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Gogol Bordello, Griz, Fuel, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors and Action Bronson will leave you both satisfied and pumped for the evening’s headliners. For a full daily lineup, check out https://worshipthemusic.com/cubes/.
Recently, Voodoo announced two special Thursday shows featuring Moon Taxi with Bright Light Social Hour at House of Blues for The Voodoo Kick off Concert and The Monster Mash Halloween Ball with Destructo and Big Sam’s Funky Nation at Mardi Gras World. Following the festival, there will be an array of nightly after shows at venues throughout the city. These typically sell out far in advance and do require a separate ticket. Check out https://worshipthemusic.com/deja-voodoo/ for details and to purchase tickets.
All of this music can work up a powerful hunger, and Voodoo has you covered. Last year we spent more than our fair share of time perusing the food trucks located within full view of the main stage. It was wonderful to not miss the music while enjoying our lunch/dinner/excessive snacking throughout the day. Our favorite was Nola Pho Life, a Vietnamese truck whose Pho pork sandwich had us returning for multiple visits. This year the offerings include everything from oysters to crepes (try the bacon and Nutella) to alligator gumbo to pizza and giant cinnamon rolls. Spending your days in at Voodoo won’t cause you to miss out on the amazing New Orleans food experience. Check out https://worshipthemusic.com/food-vendors/ for a full breakdown of all the options.
As to the art end of things, be prepared to take lots of photos (think extra phone battery), as Voodoo is always awash in visually stunning masterpieces and a wide array of characters who, in all reality, would probably be dressed the same regardless of Halloween. Be sure to check out the 3D Chandelier in the Rites Bar. Voodoo also offers more than its fair share of merchandise, both official and sponsored. Last year we picked up a t-shirt whose proceeds benefited African relief, which also glowed in the dark, and turned many a head everywhere we went. Jewelry is abundant in all forms and fashions, in multiple booths, from feathers to fine stones, you are sure to leave happy. Since the nights cooled off quite a bit in 2013, we noticed that all of the jackets sold out quickly, so get yours early. And finally, as you know, we love poster/t-shirt/design art (see our interview with Justin Helton of Status Serigraph at https://blanknews.com/knoxville/597-the-artist-of-the-artists)) and Voodoo always blows us away. With all of its rich history, the design work for the offerings always has us in line early to purchase a little piece of a weekend packed full of amazing memories. For a glimpse of what you’ll see, check out https://worshipthemusic.com/art/ and follow the picture links for even more reasons to attend.
Voodoo also offers links for a camping experience unlike any you’ve come upon before as well as a plethora of local hotels and bed and breakfast establishments. Check out https://worshipthemusictravel.eventlodgingsolutions.com/ to book your room and https://worshipthemusic.com/camp-voodoo/ for the ultimate camping experience. See you in New Orleans.
