2014 BUKU Music and Art Project

00:00 February 23, 2014
By: Telle Ink
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[Courtesy of Greg Roques]

With this year's star studded line-up, the 2014 BUKU Music + Art Project has made its mark as one of New Orleans' highest revenue generating festivals and arguably the best musical experience of our generation. Set on the banks of the Mississippi River at Mardi Gras World, the two-day festival is a rare fusion of artistic geniuses from genres including hip-hop, EDM, punk, rock and house. In every direction you look there are eye-catching displays of graffiti art and select local food vendors serving dishes you won't usually find at festivals.
As the 3rd anniversary approaches, BUKU's progressive vibe is raising the bar for festival experiences equipped with 5 stages, unique VIP packages, a historic list of performances, and most notably the S.S. BUKU. The S.S. BUKU, accessible only by VIP pass holders, is a three-level New Orleans-style riverboat outfitted with an open bar, an incredible main stage view from the top deck, and exclusive performances. S.S. BUKU also includes interactive fan experiences like Big Freedia's Twerk Lesson, the BU-Katwalk, and the BU-Kookoff. Major acts include Nas, The Flaming Lips, David Guetta, Elle Goulding, Chromeo, Sleigh Bells, Pusha T, Chance The Rapper, and Carnage.
Where Y'at sat down with one of the festival's producers, Dante DiPasquale with Winter Circle Productions, discussing this year's extravaganza.


WYAT: How did you come up with this year's amazing line up?
DiPasquale:
We want it to be a mix of what's current along with legendary classics including dance, hip hop, and indie rock and the unique element of the underground dance culture. The lineup is everything we listen to involving everyone in the company in the selection process.

WYAT: What inspired the collaboration and creation of BUKU Fest?
DiPasquale:
The idea of BUKU Fest spawned from a need for something that represents the new culture of New Orleans, something that young people can relate to. It was always a dream of ours starting out 5 years ago with smaller shows.

WYAT: Are there any artist you are excited to see perform?
DiPasquale:
I'm excited about the Back Alley Stage, eager to see the crowd's reactions. Soul Clap, Explosions, Chance The Rapper, Sleigh Bells, Carnage. The Gaslamp Killer and Friends featuring Press Hall Brass and Khris Royale has never been done. The 2-hour experimental set is why we do what we do, it's a rare performance; it's where art is created.

WYAT: What are BUKU's future plans?

DiPasquale: We want to make the best experience while staying true to the intimate feel. That's why we care so much. We are happy with the quirky boutique style festival we've created and want to keep the personal vibe that sets us apart from larger festivals.

thebukuproject.com FRIDAY, MARCH 21

POWER PLANT
Ellie Goulding, Zedd, Nas (20th Anniversary of Illmatic, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Smallpools, Gravity A
FLOAT DEN
Kaskade, Zeds Dead, Sleigh Bells, Carnage, Paper Diamond, Conspirator, Big Freedia, Blood Diamonds
BALLROOM
Pusha T, Chance The Rapper, Wavves, Lotus, Miami Horror, Classixx, Treasure Fingers, Flight School Preps
BACK ALLEY
Seth Troxler, Dusky, Tourist, Kid Kamillion, Jesse Slayter, DXXXY, Murder Beach
(VIP ONLY) S.S. BUKU
Holy Ghost! (DJ); Miami Horror (DJ); Big Freedia's Twerk Lesson; Soul Sister; Money P; Dobryman's Bu-Katwalk

SATURDAY, MARCH 22

POWER PLANT
The Flaming Lips, David Guetta, Chromeo, Schoolboy Q, Thundercat, Big History
FLOAT DEN
Tyler, The Creator, The Glitch Mob, Baauer B2B RL Grime, Griz, DJ Snake, Blue Sky Black Death, Young & Sick
BALLROOM
Explosions in the Sky, Beats Antique, Phantogram, Danny Brown, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Dan Deacon, Generationals, Bent Denim
BACK ALLEY
Skream, Soul Clap, Cashmere Cat, Unikorn Fukr, Javier Drada, Shanook, Mr. Miserable, Free Will B
(VIP ONLY) S.S. BUKU
The Gaslamp Killer & Friends feat. Pres Hall Brass + Khris Royal, Ana Sia, Quickie Mart's Bu-Kookoff, DJ Digital

Single day tickets are now on-sale on BUKU's web site for $89.50! Any questions, please let me know.

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