With such a diverse lineup for the 2012 Voodoo Festival, Where Y'at writers share a day-by-day list of can't miss shows during the three days of the festival. Visit WhereYat.com for even more shows to check out during the Halloween/Voodoo Festival weekend.
Friday, October 26
Luke Winslow King Oct. 26 11:15 a.m. Preservation Hall Stage
In 2001 Luke Winslow King visited New Orleans and in addition to making the city his new home, allowed the music to influence and inspire him as a singer/ songwriter. His performance at Voodoo Fest this year will please anyone who loves wartime blues and ragtime music, a style that he has focused on since becoming a New Orleanian. King has put out several albums and has played with many well-known musicians in town. In 2010 Winslow-King formed The Ragtime Millionaires, a band featuring Esther Rose on washboard and backing vocals and upright bassist Cassidy Holden. King is originally from Cadillac, Mich. and after arriving in NOLA he began attending the University Of New Orleans for music studies. His voice has reached a level of refinement that sounds as if he's played this music his entire life, having a sweet tone mixed with age. His band will be playing mostly originals at the festival, but you'll be able to hear New Orleans in every verse. - Brian Serpas
Force Feed Radio Oct. 26 12:00 p.m. Le Plur/The Red Bulletin Stage
Some may call the latest music craze extreme house music; but with the mixture of techno, rock, hip-hop, and the consistency of heavy bass thumping so prevalently in the background, electronic music could also be deemed as pure genius. Taking over the New Orleans party and dance scene, NOLA natives Force Feed Radio have been in the business of opening New Orleans up to the adrenaline charged-music known as electronic for over a decade. Bringing their eccentric inventive styles to Voodoo Fest, the deejay and production duo consists of Kid Kamillion (Bryan Normand) and Money P. (Patrick Bowden). Force Feed Radio has three mix tapes under their belts along with their most current project, their EP album Grindhouse. Simply awaiting these guys' Voodoo performance is relatively hard considering that rocking a crowd for Force Feed Radio is seemingly a piece of cake. Just the tap of a button and mix of a track, and the crowd is simply rocking to their exhilarating thrilling heavy sound, with bites of sound incorporated that can only be described as fantastically horrifying, meant in the best way possible. Following the electronic theme of this year's Voodoo Fest, these local fellows are sure to stand their ground amongst any electronic, dance party deejay. - Kimmie Tubre
TBC Brass Band Oct. 26 12:45 p.m. Preservation Hall Stage
This brass band's full name is the To Be Continued Brass Band, and that name had a more significant meaning after the storm. TBC Brass Band was formed 10 years ago by young men from struggling neighborhoods in New Orleans, specifically the Seventh and Ninth wards. This was evident by their occasional makeshift repairs on their instruments like duct tape seals for the holes in their horns. The band busked (performed in the streets for money) in the French Quarter and soon became a crowd favorite. They still play regularly on the corner of Canal Street and Bourbon Street and draw a large crowd, despite the city's attempts to outlaw music on the street after a certain hour. The band has gained much attention and was the subject of the documentary From the Mouthpiece on Back. They have toured internationally, but they always come home to the grateful crowds of locals and tourists at their spot in the Quarter. - Emily Hingle
Andy Suzuki & the Method Oct. 26 1:30 p.m. WWOZ/Bud Light Stage
Having a sensational flare for combining soul, R & B, gospel, and piano funky rock, Andy Suzuki & the Method is another talented band of musicians from the great city of New York, who are making national noise. Blessed with a crisp, smooth voice band leader, Andy Suzuki is a singer, songwriter and pianist who is captivating audiences with his good use of melody as well as an earthy blend of complementing chord structures and relatable lyrics. When touched by the gentle and sometimes downright twangy playing of violinist Jason Gorelick, the tunes become even bolder, especially with the rhythms of hand percussionist Kozza Babumba. Having met at Brown University in 2005, Suzuki and Babumba toured the college circuit for a few years until 2008 when they met Gorelick, who had a yearning to add electric violin to the duo. Releasing their first EP, 300 Pianos, in 2009, the group continued to tour, attracting wide audiences. In 2011, they were the Manhattan winners for public radio WNYC's Battle of the Boroughs competition, which is perhaps one of their greatest honors to date. Motivated by their accomplishments over the years, the band released a second EP, The Ghost Stories EP, in February of 2012 and will now be playing at this year's Voodoo Music Festival. You can catch their interesting instrumentation and popular mix of musicianship. - Chris DiBenedetto
Nervo Oct. 26 4:30 p.m. Le Plur/The Red Bulletin Stage
The fashion world and music industry breeds yet another successful mixture in the Nervo twins. The Australian duo originally began their career as models at age 16. Miriam and Olivia Nervo put their modeling careers on hiatus to pursue a livelihood in pop music. By 18, the pair was signed to a major record label. Don't write their success off as just a symptom of the "slashie" epidemic ("slashie", as in model/actress/singer/ etc.). The sisters received their education at the prestigious Genazzano FCJ College, and were even accepted by Opera Australia before their introduction to the music scene. Since then, the twosome has amassed an impressive resume—they've gone to write and produce songs for big names such as Ke$ha, David Guetta, Kylie Minogue, and Britney Spears using their "infectious blend of chunky, dirty, sexed-up electro-house." The doublet is also known for their skills on the turntable. Nervo's deejaying has been featured in venues from Ibiza to Miami. The twins released their first single, "We're All No One," last September, and their latest single, "You're Gonna Love Again," in June. With their upcoming appearance in Voodoo Fest 2012, their blossoming career shows no signs of losing steam. - Kimberly Hopson
Delta Rae Oct. 26 4:30 p.m. WWOZ/Bud Light Stage
Released this summer, Delta Rae's debut album Carry the Fire marks the culmination of two years of living and recording together in a house in the woods. The minute you hear songs like "Fire," and "Dance in the Graveyards" you wonder how so much unabashed soul and grit could come out of a bunch of white 20-somethings from Durham, N.C. The layered wailing harmonies of the group's four lead singers, coupled with keen piano, deliberate drums, and a whole slew of strings, give Delta Rae a poignant, electric, even tribal-like quality. Their real strength lies in creating an instrument with their unified voices, masterfully using a cappella throughout the album in songs like the hypnotic "Bottom of the River." Though the influence of their Southern backwoods roots is evident, their sound is rich Americana through and through. Signed by the legendary Seymour Stein himself (yep, the Seymour Stein who was responsible for launching the careers of The Ramones, Talking Heads, The Pretenders, Madonna and many other New Wave wonders), Delta Rae is clearly poised for big things. Word on the street is their live show is an energetic spectacle, and with comparisons to classic Fleetwood Mac, they will definitely be one to watch this year. - Rebecca Duckert
Thomas Dolby Oct. 26 5:15 p.m. Le Carnival Stage
The man behind "She Blinded Me with Science" and "Hyperactive" is headed down for a Big Easy October close-to-one-year anniversary of the release of latest eclectic album A Map of the Floating City. Track six, "The Toadlickers," sprang forth—in Technicolor—with Burlesque and stuffed animal puppets in what Dolby called his "first music video of the 21 st century," fusing techno and… blue grass. It's an a cappella start for "Nothing New Under the Sun," culminating in the wit and techno pop reminiscent of an earlier Dolby. A 2012 performance incorporates keyboard and spoken word, a touch of sci-fi and hint of steam punk. Not an "'80s artist" anymore, this modern eclectic Renaissance man has built a sound career fueled by talent, geek chic smarts and ability. His keyboard mastery was sought after for Def Leppard's albums Pyromania and Hysteria. Dolby's synthesizer is a highlight of hit Foreigner songs "Urgent" and "Waiting for a Girl Like You." He also composed much of the Howard the Duck sound track. Co-inventor of the Beatnik polyphonic ring tone engine, this audio pioneer made the most of sound in a low-res world. This includes a musical experience behind the graphics in "The Virtual String Quartet" at the Guggenheim in SoHo, which, though lauded for the sound quality, lost appeal due to lacking visuals. Graphics have finally matured to support Dolby's musical techno-talent, culminating in the release of "The Floating City Game." Completely free to the public, players worldwide form tribes and collaborate to earn free music downloads, merchandise and concert tickets. - Dionne Charlet
Paul Sanchez Oct. 26 5:15 p.m. Preservation Hall Stage
Since leaving Cowboy Mouth in 2006 to write and perform his own songs, Paul Sanchez's career has branched out in many directions. He has collaborated with singer-songwriter John Boutté, released the heavily acclaimed album Good Neighbor, sung on Shamarr Allen's jazz record, Meet Me on Frenchmen Street, written the musical adaptation of Dan Brown's book, "Nine Lives," and appeared in seasons 1 and 2 of "Treme." When not playing solo, Paul is known to play with Washboard Chaz and Alex McMurray in a group they call Two Tin Men and a Scarecrow, as well as Paul's own band, Paul Sanchez and the Rolling Road Show. Having just recorded his 6th album post-Katrina (Reclamation of the Pied-Eyed Piper), Sanchez has a wealth of songs to turn to, whether it's from his Cowboy Mouth days, one of the tracks from his solo records, one of the covers he's known for performing live, such as "If I Only had A Brain" from The Wizard of Oz, or "Always look at the Bright Side of Life" from The Life of Brian. If you love New Orleans, Paul is a must-see. - Chris Romaguera
Die Antwoord Oct. 26 5:45 p.m. Le Plur/The Red Bulletin Stage
Die Antwoord is a futuristic rap-rave collective out of South Africa with an artistic output that surpasses music and encompasses an entire counter-culture movement ("Zef" is a movement that represents being poor but fancy, the bling of the bottom classes). In reaction to Die Antwoord, most people seem to fall into two categories: die-hard fans and die-who? They are simultaneously huge and underground. Their cult following is international, but their intense theatrical package keeps them distinctly art-niche. Each music video is like a short film; their production values are truly unrivaled. The Zef aesthetic is very cohesive - each video matches the next, and the blurring of reality makes it hard for anyone to say exactly what is exaggeration and what is not. But that is the beauty of Die Antwoord; whether you love it or hate it, you will be entertained. Rats, diamonds, trash, rims, guns, graffiti, demonic creatures, booty shorts... They all are pieces of the Die Antwoord puzzle. It is impossible to consume any aspect of their media without being, however accidentally, educated on their entire package. Of all the artists out there, few have such a cohesive presentation as Die Antwoord. As much theater as music, the group will not disappoint. They are larger than life on the Internet, so their live shows can be nothing short of a spectacle. - Suzannah Powell
Gary Clark Jr. Oct. 26 5:45 p.m. Le Ritual Stage
Texas' biggest blues secret isn't much of a secret any longer after Gary Clark Jr. landed his breakthrough gig performing at Eric Clapton's 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival, in which he effortlessly entertained the crowd with his soulfully-charged, almost-raunchy guitar skills and his ironically melodious voice. Since then, Clark has been thrilling audiences around the world from Bonnaroo to Coachella, and he's received several honors and awards for his unprecedented talents including being recognized as the best blues guitarist in his home town of Austin, Texas. Highly recognized for his single, "Bright Lights," we can only hope that Clark will perform it as he graces the stage at this year's Voodoo Festival. The young blues sensation is well recognized by his peers and idols alike, and his style of music is influenced by blues, hip-hop, rock, contemporary soul, and funk. Each performance proves evident that Clark's love for music is of an unexaggerated nature. Clark's natural talent is inevitably leaked out through his vigorous sound, which leads to a dynamic performance and a delighted crowd every time. - Kimmie Tubre
George Porter & the Runnin' Pardners Oct. 26 6:00 p.m. WWOZ/Bud Light Stage
George Porter Jr. is not a man who needs an introduction in this town. Maybe the most renowned bassist in New Orleans history, Porter gained fame playing with the original Meters, alongside Art Neville. Known for his ability to play with anyone and everyone (and to sound good doing it too), George Porter Jr. has played with the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, David Byrne and Tori Amos. He has jammed with New Orleans legends such as Allen Toussaint and Irma Thomas as well. The Runnin' Pardners, a long-term project of his, have made a niche out of playing great "New Orleans" music, as well as being one hell of a jam band. Regular members of the band include John Gros of Papa Grows Funk fame, and Khris Royal, the lead member of Dark Matter. So if you like New Orleans music, this is not a show you want to miss. Whether they play old original Meters covers, something new, or just jam out all night, you're in for a treat. - Chris Romaguera
Supagroup Oct. 26 6:45 p.m. Le Carnival Stage
There couldn't be a better band in New Orleans that epitomizes rock 'n' roll than Supagroup. Known for their loud guitars and cock-rock antics, they'll be blowing listeners away at this year's Voodoo Fest. Founded by brothers Chris and Benji Lee shortly after their arrival in NOLA in 1996 to attend Tulane University, Supagroup has put out seven records to date. Chris Lee received a Biology degree and shortly after began studying Film, an endeavor that's become an asset to the band's current promotion via video. The band recently had a line-up change losing their long time bassist Leif Swift and drummer Michael Brueggen to adult life, and adding Dash Rip Rock's Brian Broussard and Leon Touzet. Having such strong players added to their rhythm section, Broussard and Touzet both being great performers as well, will definitely keep the high-energy performances going. Voodoo will surely be an entertaining experience this year and any true rock 'n' roll fan will be there for Supagroup. - Brian Serpas
Avett Brothers Oct. 26 7:15 p.m. Le Ritual Stage
When the schedule to Bonnaroo Fest came out earlier this year, The Avett Brothers followed by Rodrigo y Gabriela and Radiohead highlighted many fest-goers lists. It was quite a tall task at hand opening up for such fantastic musicians but The Avett Brothers met the challenge. Playing their folk-pop melodies that fit the mood so perfectly as the sun set, the band consists of brothers Scott and Seth Avett, who play banjo and guitar respectively, as well as stand-up bassist Bob Crawford, cellist Joe Kwon, and drummer Jacob Edwards. With hits such as "Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise" and "I and You and Love," as well as crowd pleasers such as "Kick Drum Heart," the Avett Brothers know how to provide a great show. So on this late October night, when the humidity in New Orleans is back down to normal, kick back and enjoying the show with The Avett Brothers. - Chris Romaguera
Bootsy Collins Oct. 26 7:30 p.m. WWOZ/Bud Light Stage
Known as "The man who puts the Bass in Yer Face," Mr. Collins is inevitably one of the original innovators of the funk era. You can call him the funk doctor or the creator of funk-rock but one thing is for sure: Bootsy Collins is a unique and talented entity. Beginning his career in Ohio with his brother Phelps "Catfish" Collins in the late '60s, Bootsy stood out with his unusual and world-famous psychedelic vocals and his fanatically dynamic guitar skills. He toured with his mentor James Brown's band review rather early in his career with his four-person funk band the Pacemakers. He began to create his unique sound that he channeled from the late Jimi Hendrix. The "Godfather of soul" was heavily impressed by his talent and his standout personality and charm when it came to performing. Bootsy was famously known for his '70s group Bootsy's Rubberbands, creating timeless hits like, "I'd Rather be with You" and several more. He was also well known as the main bassist for the Parliament-Funkadelics. Though this will be Bootsy's first Voodoo festival performance, he is surely no stranger to the city of New Orleans. He has carried the funk all over this city from Tipitina's to the House of Blues. Bootsy is sure to set the stage off with an amazing performance, as he is a forerunner of the funk-rock era and a standalone class act that has been pleasing crowds for decades. - Kimmie Tubre
Say Anything Oct. 26 8:15 p.m. Le Carnival Stage
Say Anything is a veteran Los Angeles rock group that's been providing anthems for more than a decade. Their latest release from March of this year Anarchy, My Dear, illustrates the dichotomy of their material perfectly. The world is falling apart, the guitars are wailing and the vocals are screaming, but there is tenderness there amid the chaos. They are a rock band that can still get their feelings hurt by pretty girls. Max Bemis' lead vocals range from poetic to powerful, at times waxing sentimental, at times guttural chants. His tone throughout is authoritative and matter-of-fact; he seems to speak as much as he sings, like a musical lecture on the tortured soul. The listener has no choice but to believe what he says, especially when backed by a rowdy-rocking band. The instrumentation has an epic range as well. Fun, romping breakdowns accompany pulsing rhythmic guitars. The result is a band full of playful angst. Show up to dance, show up to mosh, either way you'll fit in at this show. - Suzannah Powell
Kaskade Oct. 26 8:30 p.m. Le Plur/The Red Bulletin Stage
If you are looking for the next big thing in electronic music, look no further than Ryan "Kaskade" Reddon. Born in Chicago, Kaskade has been spinning hit after hit since 2001. His major musical influences were '80s new wave bands like The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen, and The Smiths. His style is a mixture of catchy, synthesized beats and shimmering female vocals. His live shows are nothing less than spectacular; with live musical tracks laid over the original female vocals. Blended together with a barrage of colorful special effects, they transform any stadium into a laser light show extravaganza. This high-energy deejay has spun out at least half a dozen top Billboard hits including "Steppin' Out," "Everything," "Move for Me" (featuring Deadmau5), and "I Remember," which was featured in the Wii game "Golden Eye." - Heather Shapiro Jones
Neil Young & Crazy Horse Oct. 26 9:00 p.m. Le Ritual Stage
When Neil Young first came to public attention, he was a young, sleepy-eyed, Canada-born lead guitarist for a mid-'60s "one-hit wonder" group named Buffalo Springfield. The five-man band, whose members also included future star guitarists Stephen Stills and Richie Furay, topped the charts with the anti-war song, "For What It's Worth," then split up even before their third and final album was released. But for Young, it was just the beginning. After penning nine of the group's 34 songs, he self-propelled into a stellar career that is now in its 6th decade. Starting with a self-titled solo CD in 1968, then hiring three other musicians and calling the group Crazy Horse, Young rose above the crowded soft rock pack with his second album, Everybody Knows This is Nowhere. The album featured three classics from Young's talented pen, "Cinnamon Girl," "Down by the River" and "Hello Cowgirl in the Sand," which introduced the world to his squeaky but widely accepted vocal style. From there, he joined his old band mate Stephen Stills to make Crosby Stills Nash and Young a megastar quartet. The group enjoyed great success with their second release, Déjà Vu, as well as singles like "(Four Dead in) Ohio." The next two Young/Crazy Horse albums, After the Gold Rush and Harvest (1970 and 1972), went multi-platinum, featuring songs that have since ascended into the realm of classics, including the anti-racist anthem that won him no friends in Dixie - "Southern Man." Though his popularity fluctuated over the next several decades, he never stopped performing and doesn't figure to be doing that anytime soon. After a well-deserved induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, "Long May He Run!" - Dean M. Shapiro
Pimps of Joytime Oct. 26 9:15 p.m. WWOZ/Bud Light Stage
An infectious band that makes audiences tingle from head to toe, The Pimps of Joytime, are making their Voodoo Fest debut at this year's annual event. A tenacious repertoire of new age funk, soul, and dance music, the group has taken the country in their grasp to lead in a celebration of feel-good music. Band leader and producer, Brian J., founded the group in 2005 when he began to assemble a group of talented musicians and vocalists to perform the music that would propel The Pimps of Joytime into the elevated hemisphere of which they now belong. Having lived in New Orleans and now Brooklyn, Brian J. draws from numerous inspirations, leading his group through mesmerizing performances that slap a grin on every face. Charged with electrifying rhythms, synthesizers and a crew of outlandish musical characters, the group has released a remix album and two studio albums, the latest being Janxta Funk. Roads tested and engines revving, they draw significant crowds in big cities across the country and are now proud members of Interscope Records. Musical influences can be seen in funk, afro beat, salsa, rock 'n' roll, R & B, soul and other genres that come together to make this group a full-on groove machine. The content is fun and exhilarating, singing songs that speak of street music, romantic attractions and overall good vibes. It's relatable, fun, and one of the freshest sounds to come out in years. - Chris DiBenedetto
Saturday, October 27
Debauche Oct. 27 11:45 a.m. Le Carnival Stage
Sticking to the traditional sound of his motherland of Russia, band leader, guitarist and singer Yegor Romanstov, has a passion for preserving his art. Entrenched in wild tales of debauchery, fighting, ex-cons, imprisonment, and the lives of past Russians in the cold grip of Stalin's rule, the Russian mafia band Debauche has been culturing New Orleans with their music for years. However, though much of the material, which is all sung in Russian with a thick accent, is written in sad context, the band delivers the stories with a ferocity that surpasses the historical tunes' lyrics. The atmosphere is high energy, and disorderly, as the five- piece group consisting of acoustic guitar, stand-up bass, violin, accordion and drums, whirl their audience with a passion. The expression is felt in every note, every word and throughout the beat. Their theatrical nature engrosses the audience within the atmosphere that is riddled with a drunken gypsy escapade of chanting folk songs. The show is unique, but at the same time displays great musicianship from the group who is tight and delivers a string of overlapping melodies as the rhythm section bumps along with the lead vocals. Debauche is highly entertaining, and it's a historic preservation of traditional music. You can see them at this year's Voodoo Fest. - Chris DiBenedetto
Treme Brass Band Oct. 27 12:15 p.m. Preservation Hall Stage
Named after the neighborhood where some of the most renowned jazz artists ever were born and raised, the Treme Brass Band is one of the most beloved brass ensembles in the city. As described by NPR's Mandalit Del Barco, "The Treme Brass Band lives and breathes New Orleans traditions." Their group has included celebrated trumpeter Kermit Ruffi ns, drummer Benny Jones Sr., and sousaphonist Kirk Joseph, just to name a few of the great musicians involved with the band. They have national recognition, even opening up for the 2006 National Endowment for the Arts Event and were awarded with the National Heritage Fellowship there. The Treme Brass Band also has the distinction of having the late Uncle Lionel Batiste play the bass drum, even performing at Voodoo Fest in 2010. There's no doubt that the Treme Brass Band will pay an excellent, heart-felt tribute to him on stage this year. - Emily Hingle
Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds Oct. 27 1:30 p.m. WWOZ/Bud Light Stage
Funk elements + old-school style + riff-rich, seductive vocals + a mean harmonica? Nothing wrong with that combo. The groovin' "superband," Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds, got its start after sibling duo Arleigh and Jackson Kincheloe decided that they needed a more powerful backing to do right by the songs she wrote. The twosome went on to add their drummer cousin Bram, who put them in touch with two saxophonists and a trombone player. A trumpet completed the high-energy brass section. Finally, they fl eshed out the gospellike rhythms with a guitarist and bassist, and voila! The band was nine-members deep… However, there aren't too many cooks making dishes in this kitchen. The sounds don't fi ght each other's attention. Rather, they are unifi ed by the "friendships among the members, which translates directly to the music." Being independent doesn't hinder their delivery either. Spectators can expect an "explosive" live show led by the fi ery voice of Ms. Sparrow. The support of their fan base is as palpable as their earthy tones - they surpassed their $20,000 Kickstarter goal to purchase a new tour van earlier this year. The group released their second album Pound of Dirt, in February. - Kimberly Hopson
K'naan Oct. 27 2:15 p.m. Le Ritual Stage
Somali Canadian poet, rapper, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist Keinan Abdi Warsame, also known as K'naan, is a continually-developing story of courage, dedication and triumph. After escaping from his war-torn homeland to Canada, K'naan set forth a blazing path of hip-hop, Somali music and Ethio-jazz paired with peoplemoving and socially-charged rhymes and songs. Probably most notable for his protest song "Soobax" and the success of his single, "Waving Flag," which was chosen by FIFA in 2010 as the anthem for the World Cup; the artist is also a published writer and devout philanthropist. More recently, K'naan released an EP titled, More Beautiful than Silence in early January featuring the single, "Is Anybody Out There" with Nelly Furtado. K'naan also plans to release another full-length album tentatively titled Country, God or the Girl? later this year, which hopefully will have enough polished songs to hear the new material at Voodoo. - Craig Magraff
Chicano Batman Oct. 27 2:45 p.m. Le Carnival Stage
Chicano Batman isn't exactly the name of a band that makes me want to pick up their CD and add it to my favorite playlist on iTunes. But as we all learned as kids, judging a book by its cover isn't the way to go. The quartet brings something new to the table, while is never letting go of the culture that inspired them. Listening to the Spanish and Brazilian-infl uenced music draws feelings of peace and tranquility. In simpler terms, they're like a Hispanic Bob Marley, knowing just how to touch the soul with rhythmic sounds paired with vocals bursting at the seams with heritage. Playing in a city known for its soul, heritage, and culture, they should fi t right in at Voodoo Fest 2012. Signed with Unicornio Records in 2010, Chicano Batman has released two albums, Chicano Batman (2011) and Joven Navegante (2012) they've recently played in multiple venues in Los Angeles, and after making the long trip to New Orleans, will be heading back to California for more hometown shows. Attending a sell-out for this unique band, you're almost guaranteed psychedelic-type sounds, which seem to make all your problems fl oat away. Slowly but surely expanding their horizon and gaining more fans, this band is bound for greatness. Come mellow out with fellow soon-to-be Chicano Batman fans in City Park during the weekend of Oct. 26. Who knows? Maybe they'll end up the "superhero" of your own playlist. - Andrea Rotolo
Soul Rebels Oct. 27 3:00 p.m. WWOZ/Bud Light Stage
This has been a big year for the Soul Rebels. With the success of their latest album, Unlock Your Mind, the Soul Rebels have used that momentum to extend their reach throughout the States. Besides owning every single gig they play in New Orleans, from French Quarter Fest to the clubs on Frenchmen Street, they have been up and down and all around the country as well. From touring with Galactic, to playing Bonnaroo, to being on the "Conan O'Brien Show," the Soul Rebels are one of the hardest working bands to hit the circuit of late. Their brand of brass and hip-hop allows this band to reach the masses. Whether you've heard of them before, this band knows how to get you dancing. From playing Soul Rebels classics such as "My Time," to covering the Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These)," you'll get a little bit of everything with this band. This is a show you don't want to miss. - Chris Romaguera
AWOLNATION Oct. 27 3:45 p.m. Le Ritual Stage
Releasing just two albums, AWOLNATION has taken hold of the Amer-eletric rock genre of music. Debuting in 2010 with Return from Earth, they formed a fan base and proved they were here to stay with their second and most recent album Megalithic Symphony. Featuring tracks not only famous in America, but in Canada and the U.K. also, what better way to celebrate their rising fame than to be featured at Voodoo Fest 2012 right here in New Orleans? Blessing the mic with his passionate voice, Aaron Bruno, the lead vocalist, brings life and soul to the hypnotic instrumentals. Their hit singles "Sail" and "Not Your Fault" gained their reputation from the Internet, slowly made their way to the airwaves and are played daily on two of our own local stations B97.1, and Rock 92.3. In the past couple of months, they've played nationwide including Texas, New York and Delaware. Expanding their music and their fan-base, AWOLNATION has ventured to pack venues and arenas in Canada, Spain, Portugal and Austria. Touring with Snow Patrol, Young Guns and Skrillex, the band has made a name for itself in the short three years they've been recording. Go ahead and give their electric heart-grabbing music a shot at Voodoo Fest. Playing in a city like this, where music is our soul, their sales and reputation are bound to skyrocket shortly after their performance, when they storm the stage in City Park. - Andrea Rotolo
The Features Oct. 27 4:30 p.m. WWOZ/Bud Light Stage
New Orleanians are likely to get a twinge of sentimentality when listening to "Fats Domino," one of the songs from Wilderness, the latest release by Nashville rockers The Features. Wilderness, a follow-up to the band's acclaimed Some Kind of Salvation (2009), is a delightfully unexpected fusion of sounds and styles. It's at times poppy, bluesy, and raw rock, all in one convenient package. For newcomers to The Features, the foursome will no doubt conjure up comparisons to Kings of Leon, The Killers, Jack White/The White Stripes and even a little Black Keys thrown in there for good measure; yet, they still manage to craft a form uniquely their own. Singer/guitarist Matt Pelham muses about the band's place in the modern music scene: "We're not weird enough for a certain crowd, and we're a little bit too out there for the other crowd. We fall in the middle somewhere between mainstream and hipster, which puts us in this weird place, but we're all pretty happy to be here." Well, guys, wherever you are and wherever you're going, we're glad to be there right alongside. - Rebecca Duckert
Ingrid Lucia presents the New Orleans Nightengales w/Special Guest Irma Thomas Oct. 27 4:45 p.m. Preservation Hall Stage The ever so masterly gifted Irma Thomas will be a special guest with Ingrid Lucia's New Orleans Nightengales at this year's Voodoo Fest. With her fused sound of soulful jazz, rhythm and blues and gospel, Grammy award-winning Irma is sure to bring that down-home classic soul element to the event. The Soul Queen of New Orleans has always been captivating and compelling in performance. Using her voice as an instrument, Irma has the ability to humble her sound under her unmistakably strong voice. In each wavering note Thomas' deliverance is always well calculated and in tune, yet she will occasionally explode out with vocals that are surely heaven sent and will send chills through your body. Auditioning for Specialty Records at the age of 13, Irma knew that music was going to be her career. Irma is a Billboard-charted artist, and though she never received the full commercial success of her peers Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight, Irma Thomas was still very much designed for the musical life she has lived. The timeless songstress maintains a rather large following and fan base. She has 19 successful albums under her belt along with several collaborated albums and decades of remarkable performances. Amongst all of the artistic mayhem of Voodoo Fest, the delightful Irma should be a pleasant treat this year. - Kimmie Tubre
Silversun Pickups Oct. 27 5:15 p.m. Le Ritual Stage
Dangerbird Records artist, the Silversun Pickups, put a dent in the indie/alt-rock scene with their fi rst full-length album Carnavas in 2006, but the band had already made some pretty big chips with the release of their EP Pikul the previous year. They played Coachella in 2007, and have toured with bands such as Against Me!, OK Go and Wolfmother. The band saw commercial success with their sophomore effort, "Swoon." The 2009 release sold 43,000 copies in its fi rst week, and debuted at #7 on the pop charts, according to The Los Angeles Times. Their latest album, Neck of the Woods, was released on May 8. So far, Neck of the Woods has been even more successful than its predecessor. It debuted at #6 on the Billboard charts in its fi rst week. The band should be well-rested and ready to rock for their performance, having had a monthlong break between their North American tour and their Voodoo Fest appearance. Their newest album is available on iTunes, at Best Buy stores, and regionally at some independent record stores. - Kimberly Hopson
Toots and the Maytals Oct. 27 6:00 p.m. WWOZ/Bud Light Stage
One of the most legendary bands to grow out of the emerging reggae movement in Kingston, Jamaica in the early '60s, Toots and the Maytals, are still enchanting loads of fans with their messages of love, peace and equality. The sound is absolutely reggae but with a heavy dose of soul and gospel that ignites each song propelling it into a unique spectrum of its own. Having been originally called The Maytals, the pioneers recorded their fi rst album Never Grow Old-Presenting The Maytals from 1962-1963 at legendary Studio One with producer Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, who also was the producer for The Wailers. However, after a short stint in prison by the group's founder, Frederick "Toots" Hibbert, the group decided to be called Toots and the Maytals. They then started recording with Chinese-Jamaican producer Leslie Kong in 1967, a relationship that led to three celebrated albums along with a wealth of hits such as "Pressure Drop" and "54-46." In 1972, they were rewarded the honor of recording the sound track for the fi lm "The Harder They Come" starring Jimmy Cliff, that has been named one of top 10 sound tracks of all time by Vanity Fair. Since, the group has constantly recorded while not touring around the world, except for a 10-year disbanding in the '80s. Today, they continue to influence world music and satisfy the souls of audiences yearning for their signature reggae soul sound. - Chris DiBenedetto
The Vettes Oct. 27 8:45 p.m. Le Carnival Stage .
Despite what you may have heard, NOLA-natives The Vettes aren't actually all siblings. Lead singer Rachel Breaux redirected her brothers Chad, Brian, and Todd from their band Hush. The bassist, Mitch Gray, is the only band member who doesn't share the same gene pool; he's an adoptee of sorts. Add a quick surname change, and voilà! You have The Vettes. Imagine that a hybrid of "Bleed Like Me"-era Garbage, The Killers, and Paramore suddenly had an adoring younger sister, and you'd have their sound pinpointed. Rachel's sassy vocals match the music's upbeat pacing. The band's synth-pop beats are instantly likeable, and immediately radio-friendly. In fact, you may have already heard of them from their single, "Give 'Em What They Want," which was a regular on B97's "Top 7 at 7" countdown. The unsigned band released their debut album, Plasticville, independently in 2010. Their album is available on iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, and regionally in Best Buy and Hot Topic stores. - Kimberly Hopson
Anders Osborne w/Johnny Sansone & Big Chief Monk Boudreaux Oct. 27 9:15 p.m. WWOZ/Bud Light Stage
Special guest, Big Chief Monk is a legend among anyone familiar with Mardi Gras Indian culture, as Big Chiefs are "the men" of Mardi Gras Indian culture. They always know just what to do, how to do it, and serve as regular treasure chests of memories and traditions. In this aspect, Big Chief Monk is indispensable to his Golden Eagles tribe. But his influence gathers even farther than the reaches of his own tribe. At the ripe young age of 71, Sir Monk is literally a Big Chief to all. Every Mardi Gras Indian, past and present, Golden Eagle or not, respects Big Chief Monk, and that's something to be proud of in the rough and tumble heritage of the Mardi Gras Indians. Originally a member of the Indian-based music group the Wild Magnolias, Big Chief Monk eventually broke free from the group after 30 years to perform solo. He has been featured with many local New Orleans acts like Galactic and Anders Osborne. If you've never seen Mardi Gras Indians, you're in for a treat as Big Chief Monk represents the best and brightest. If you are familiar with the culture, then you already know that the Big Chief always has something up his sleeve to leave you feeling wowed and mystified. Either way, true Mardi Gras Indians are a sight to behold. Their culture is one of few truly inclusive cultures left in the city. Aside from graciously posing for photographs, Mardi Gras Indians usually aren't "masking" for tourists as much as they are for themselves, and that's what makes shows like Big Chief Monk's special; you know it's genuine and from the heart. - Craig Magraff
Justice Oct. 27 9:30 p.m. Le Plur/The Red Bulletin Stage
French electro duo Justice—Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay—returns to Voodoo Music Experience for another jam-packed set of D.A.N.C.E. music. Their wide range of interests and influences includes electro, disco, rock, funk, punk, heavy metal and more, and their unique sound has catapulted their albums and singles to the top of the charts. Justice—that's with a cross, not a "t"—has used this emblem as an album title and a glowing backdrop alongside full walls of Marshall cabs for their concert and festival appearances. What began as two graphic design students experimenting with a musicimage hybrid genre became what they call, "an electronic record for the day and countryside." An alternative to the standard electro club scene, this breed of electronic rock with pop sensibilities is tuned to be less repetitive, highly melodic and memorable—a sound track of easy listening dance music for the home. Some may label their music as tamer than the day's standard mix of beat-busting bangers, but it deeply moves people all the same. Who could forget their Voodoo 2009 performance, where frigid rain threatened but instead only intensified the quarter-mile of poncho party that stretched beyond those massive stacks of speakers? Rain or shine, Justice always brings the party to the next level, and this year's performance should be no different. Expect tracks from all their hit albums, including their latest release, the New Lands EP (2012). - Carolyn Heneghan
MyNameIsJohnMichael Oct. 27 9:30 p.m. Preservation Hall Stage
MyNameIsJohnMichael (MNIJM) is a favorite indie act for the college-age and 30-something crowd. The frontman singer/songwriter troubadour John Michael Rouchell initially gained a lot of recognition by setting off on an ambitious project to make one song every day by himself for a year in 2008; the project was started because of a friend's dare. He began to include other musicians in his band and released the album The People That Come and Go in 2009 that included selections from the project as voted on by fans. He now performs all over town to packed audiences, has performed at Jazz Fest, and tours internationally with his full band that includes horns, keyboards, and occasionally anything that makes noise like trash cans to complete the music. His record called Picture Perfect Past is coming out. MNIJM toured throughout the South in August and September, and will no doubt draw quite a crowd at Voodoo. - Emily Hingle
Sunday, October 28
Christoph Andersson Oct. 28 11:00 a.m. Le Plur/The Red Bulletin Stage
Christoph Andersson isn't even old enough to buy a drink on Bourbon Street. Yet, the teen "Neo-Disco" music pioneer has landed a spot in one of the most coveted music festivals held in New Orleans. He's extremely talented regardless of his age. Andersson clearly puts a lot of time and energy into his tracks, with seamless layers and loops that grow and bind well with each other. Christoph mixes synth-laden riffs and electronic pep into something decidedly smoother than someone his age might. Many of his songs feature different treatments of the same basic idea. It's something many other artists haven't been clever in the same way, but Andersson pulls it off. Talented far beyond his years, Christoph is showing that the future of New Orleans music has grown far beyond jazz. Be prepared to move, sway, and keep asking the people around you, "How old is he again?" - Craig Magraff
Royal Teeth Oct. 28 12:30 p.m. Le Carnival Stage
Cheery, sugary poppiness with a stylish look and an energetic, confetti-laden stage show to match, Royal Teeth are the cutest bit of bubble gum goodness to come out of New Orleans (by way of Lafayette and Baton Rouge too) in a long time. Heavy on the drums and light on the sentimentality, Royal Teeth's debut EP Act Naturally gives listeners a healthy dose of pure, unadulterated, joyful pop, complete with synthesizers and funky beats that make will make even the darkest Debbie Downer want to get up and shake it. The six-piece ensemble has been on a whirlwind national tour since forming (and almost immediately thereafter being signed) less than a year ago. Even before signing with L.A.-based Dangerbird Records (home of Silversun Pickups, Minus the Bear, and Fitz and the Tantrums), the band was making waves: a win in Warner and Nikon's Creative Invite contest got the band a free trip to SXSW in Austin. While at the festival, Royal Teeth caught the attention of CNN, which featured the group in a live spot on CNN.com, and a Twitter frenzy ensued. The band says they strive to create quality pop music with a lot of heart and a "great big sound." Well, it's clear they have done just that, and created a great big following because of it. - Rebecca Duckert
Dev Oct. 28 2:00 p.m. Le Plur/The Red Bulletin Stage
Devin "Dev" Star Tailes blends her hip-hop/ electro pop styles to create a new wave of electronic music. Straight out of Tracy, Calif., she captured the eye of many musical legends including Usher, Snoop Dogg, Enrique Iglesias, David Guetta and Timbaland. Dev's rise to fame began when Far East Movement sampled her "Booty Bounce" in their hit single "Like a G6." However, her real discovery came when a friend posted her single, "Blond Trick," on MySpace. Described as a "diss song" directed at her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend, it caught the eye of the indie-pop, Universal Republic record label. Six months later Dev was receiving critical acclaim with her hit "2Nite" featuring The Cataracts on radio stations across the country and on MTVU. Her debut CD, The Night the Sun Came Up, featured songs like "Bass Down Low" and "In the Dark," which became her most successful track to date when it peaked at #11 on the Billboard Charts. - Heather Shapiro Jones
Tribute to Jimmy's Music Club feat. The Models, Dash Rip Rock, Sexdog and Stephie & The Whitesox Oct. 28 3:00 p.m. WWOZ/Bud Light Stage
In the '70s and '80s, Jimmy's Music Club brought in a new scene of music for the younger set of New Orleans in a smaller, more intimate setting than the gigantic Warehouse that had international acts. The Uptown club had some of the best shows, featuring young rock and new wave bands as well as some NOLA staples. Paying homage to the club are some bands that have performed at Jimmy's including one of the most popular NOLA rock bands Dash Rip Rock, The Models, and Stephie & The Whitesox. This great lineup will teach the youngsters attending this fest what rock was and is about. You can see videos of concerts by The Cold, The Fleshtones, Four Cold Cats, the Neville Brothers, and so many more on YouTube if you really want to see the glory days of Jimmy's Music Club, but this set will make it come to life again. - Emily Hingle
Modestep Oct. 28 3:15 p.m. Le Plur/The Red Bulletin Stage
This four-piece, bass-banging band of dubstep extraordinaires is set to bring their New Orleans debut to Voodoo's Le Plur/The Red Bulletin Stage tent. Exploding on the scene with their massive hits, "Feel Good" and "Sunlight," the U.K.'s own Modestep have managed to inject humor and fun into raging drops, superb music videos, and even their band logo. This yellow smiley face with two X's for eyes appears intermittently throughout their well-crafted videos and takes center stage with them for live performances. What's perhaps most unique and spectacular about this group is that they employ live instruments to create the same beats and bass often created with computer and synthesizers alone. Not that computers and synthesizers don't play a major role in their wildly-popular tunes, but the fact that much of the sound comes also from live drums and guitar takes both their music and their live performance to a whole new level. Videos of past concert and festival performances show both them and their crowds going completely nuts from drop to drop, and their set at Voodoo promises to be no different. If you've never heard or heard of this group, do yourself an immense favor and check them out before the weekend's festivities. They're an act that is hugely anticipated by many, and you don't want to miss the enormous, exhilarating energy this set will bring to Le Plur/The Red Bulletin Stage this year. - Carolyn Heneghan
Marcia Ball Oct. 28 4:00 p.m. WWOZ/Bud Light Stage
Described by USA Today as "a sensation, saucy singer and superb pianist," Marcia Ball is aptly named. She is literally a "ball" of energy on stage. A human dynamo, to borrow the old but still apropos phrase. Born in Orange, Texas, just across the Sabine River from Louisiana, she grew up in nearby Vinton, La. and wasted no time getting started on her career. She began playing piano at the age of 5 and was soon getting into the styles of Fats Domino, Professor Longhair and James Booker, as well as the vocalizations of Irma Thomas. The home-grown Louisiana gal now incorporates elements of zydeco, swamp pop, traditional blues and boogie woogie into her piano-playing style. She began her recording career as a solo artist in the early 1970s, graduating to Rounder Records in the 1980s and early 1990s, then, in 2001, moving on to Chicago-based Alligator Records. Her 1998 Rounder album, Sing It!, which also featured Irma Thomas and former Mother Earth vocalist Tracy Nelson, was nominated for both a Grammy Award and a Blues Music Award as "Best Contemporary Blues Album." That same year, Ball also received the Blues Music Award for "Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year" and "Best Blues Instrumentalist-Keyboards." Many other awards would follow in the years to come. Today she is a frequent performer in her twin homes of Louisiana and Texas, but she also belongs to the world. Her overseas tours have generated some well-deserved, wellearned rave reviews. - Dean M. Shapiro
Borgore Oct. 28 4:30 p.m. Le Plur/The Red Bulletin Stage
Having already played a few wet-and-wild shows in New Orleans, Borgore and his fans are beyond excited for his Voodoo Fest debut. Days after his 25th birthday, this young, up-andcoming EDM producer will perform for tens of thousands of raging Gorestep fans. Israeli-born, Asaf Borger began blasting dubstep a few years ago after a very musical childhood and a stint as a death metal drummer. In 2012 alone he released the Flex EP in March, followed up by the Decisions EP over this past summer. He's also a profi cient remix artist and has produced a number of solid favorites, including Rusko's "Woo Boost," Britney Spears' "Womanizer," Gorillaz' "Clint Eastwood - Borgore's Drinking Is Bad (Bootleg Remix)" and LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It," with Tomba—his other half in dubstep duo Alphamale Primates. He's released tracks under Mad Decent and Sumerian, but he's also established his own label, Buygore, under which he's unleashed a number of tracks and EPs for himself and other artists, including the compilation, Borgore's Misadventures in Dubstep (2012). Explicit doesn't begin to describe the nature of Borgore's most popular content—"Love," "Nympho," and "Bitches Love Cake" for starters—but his tracks push so far that they tend to come off as hysterical rather than heinous or degrading. He doesn't smoke pot, he doesn't go around shooting people up, so you won't fi nd those themes in any of his lyrics. What he does love is music and women and sex, and those you will indeed fi nd pervasively throughout his discography, and screamed back loudly by madly enthusiastic crowds between masterful melodies and deliciously raucous drops. - Carolyn Heneghan
Lost Bayou Ramblers Oct. 28 5:00 p.m. Preservation Hall Stage
You can tell when a band has deep roots. The kind that are able to hold strong during any storm and bring life by providing essential elements to the fruit they bare. Such are the Lost Bayou Ramblers who started off in the small town of Pilette, La. in 1999. Founded by brothers Louis and Andre Michot after years of playing with family members in Les Freres Michot, the five-piece band started off as a traditional Cajun music group. Now, the talents have taken their music, mostly sung in French, even further showing just how powerful their heritage can be when mixed in with components of other cultures. Taking the essential foundations that define Cajun music and adding some flair that includes rock 'n' roll, punk rock and western swing, their sound radiates energy that has never been felt before. The on-stage craziness that takes place during a set shows that they feel it more than anyone, such as when Louis Michot is seen climbing on top of Lefleur's upright bass while in the middle of singing a hard-crunching tune wrapped in Cajun instrumentation and stomping rhythms. They have the talent to bring you back home, and engross their audience in the fun-loving roots from which they sprung. Today, their popularity has grown around the country, bringing them to the 2012 Voodoo Festival. They'll make you dance till you can't stand, and shout in sweet exaltation. - Chris DiBenedetto
Skrillex Oct. 28 6:15 p.m. Le Plur/The Red Bulletin Stage
Skrillex makes his Voodoo debut this year after a handful of raging local sets at the Sugar Mill, Ampersand and Buku Fest. A sold-out Mothership Tour and three Grammys later, this former screamo singer turned world-renowned producer has garnered the hails and hatred of EDM lovers across the globe. He's currently enjoying a gravity-defying, skyrocketing career with zero signs of slowing with his menacing synth hooks and trembling sub-bass that reach across genre lines and branch formerly-disparate music scenes. As a result, his music has helped to propel the electronic music industry to a mainstream fame the scene had never before dreamed of—and, as evidenced by many dissenters, never wanted in the first place. Skrillex followed up his double Grammy-winning EP Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (2010) with More Monsters and Sprites (2011) and the Bangarang EP (2011) released last December, which dabbles in still more hip-hop and trap as dubstep continues to evolve. Beyond his recording efforts, Skrillex has had his hand in the documentary RE:GENERATION, in which he collaborates on a new song with rock icons The Doors, as well as a gig composing an original score for 2013's independent film darling, Spring Breakers, from director Harmony Korine. Expect tastes of these recent efforts at his Voodoo debut set, complete with all the raucous breakdowns and frenetic free-falls of wobble bass you can handle. - Carolyn Heneghan
Preservation Hall Jazz Band Oct. 28 6:30 p.m. Preservation Hall Stage
Now what New Orleans music festival could be considered complete without the Preservation Hall Jazz Band? Answer: None. This eponymous, French Quarter/Preservation Hall-based band is nearly synonymous with the city of New Orleans itself. Celebrating its golden anniversary last year, the PHJB has traveled the world countless times, bringing the sounds of traditional New Orleans-style jazz to billions of people on every inhabited continent. Along with the many other brass bands native to the Crescent City, the very existence of the PHJB serves as a constant reminder that this is the city where the jazz genre began. Founded, along with Preservation Hall, by Allan and Sandra Jaffe in 1961, the band has featured such immortals as trumpeter Kid Thomas Valentine, brothers Willie and Percy Humphrey, husband and wife Billie and De De Pierce, famed pianist "Sweet Emma" Barrett, Wendall and John Brunious, bassist Walter Payton and many others. Today's PHJB lineup consists of Mark Braud (trumpet, vocals), Charlie Gabriel (clarinet, vocals), Freddie Lonzo (trombone), Rickie Monie (piano), Clint Maedgen (tenor saxophone, vocals), Ronell Johnson (tuba) and Joseph Lastie Jr. (drums). Ben Jaffe, son of the Hall's founders, remains the band's Creative Director after stepping down as their tuba player. And while you're in the area, be sure to visit the Old U.S. Mint in the French Quarter and see the wonderful exhibit of PHJB memorabilia celebrating their 50th anniversary. It will "Wow!" you. - Dean M. Shapiro
Jack White Oct. 28 7:30 p.m. Le Ritual Stage
Please, don't ask him about the White Stripes. Even since before the band's offi cial breakup last year, Jack White has had his fi nger in quite a few pies. White formed The Raconteurs in 2005 and The Dead Weather in 2009, both of which have two successful albums. White's solo career has been just as lucrative. In addition to producing the music for his own bands, the eccentric rocker has produced songs for Insane Clown Posse and Loretta Lynn, among others. White has also worked his magic on two big-budget Hollywood fi lms—he performed fi ve songs (and was part of the cast) on the Cold Mountain sound track, and collaborated with Alicia Keys on the sound track of Quantum of Solace. His fi rst solo effort, Blunderbuss, was released in April. The fl uid, blues-folk-rock fusion was hailed by Amazon and Billboard as "Best Album of the Year… so far." Blunderbuss has plenty of material to hold the attention of long-time fans, but Jack (once again) manages to surprise listeners with his versatility. Hopefully, this fi rst endeavor is a preview of what's to come. - Kimberly Hopson
Noisician Coalition
This year's festival has plenty of great bands and Noisician Coalition will be joining the fun, marching their way through any notion the audience my have about that rap, rock, and electronic music will be the only sounds gong on. Most of the noisemakers the group performs with are homemade, sometimes hybrids of instruments but mostly they create their own sound devices. The band usually starts with a pulsating rhythm from one beat maker, then the other group members follow suit to create a wave of tolerable noise that encompasses the audience. Self-described as controlled noise, the group's foundation is a marching band that utilizes the most primitive instruments known to man; the human voice and something to beat on. You'll see tattooed NOLA characters parading with pots and pans, makeshift guitars, and maybe even a homemade didgeridoo. New Orleans is known to have some pretty bizarre sights and the Noisician Coalition will be giving Voodoo Fest goers plenty of visuals accompanied with beeps, bloops, and all around rhythmic chaos. -Brian Serpas
