Bear Creek Bayou? It’s a New Orleans Thing. Of COURSE You Understand!
In April, we asked you this question:
Have you been in mourning ever since you heard that the 2015 Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival was cancelled? We certainly have, until…
We got to announce wonderful news from Brotherly Love Productions:
It’s time to wake the bear! The producers of Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival have announced the inaugural Bear Creek Bayou Music Festival taking place September 30 & October 1 in New Orleans.
The two-day event will be steeped in the tradition of New Orleans funk music while providing an eclectic mix of artists, powerful big bands on par with past Bear Creek headliners, and genre-defining performers in world and roots music, live electronica, rock and everything in between.
Bear Creek Bayou will take place in the heart of New Orleans’ Warehouse District at Mardi Gras World. Situated on the banks of the Mississippi River with views of the New Orleans skyline, the new venue is the perfect home for Bear Creek’s intimate funk-filled vibe.
So that’s what we knew in April. Now the initial lineup has been revealed, and we are definitely NOT disappointed! The names on the list highlight some of the great Bear Creek performers of the past, many dripping with bayou funk, and new names who absolutely belong in the conversation.
In the next three and a half months, more artists and the schedule will be revealed. In the meantime, fest your eyes on this amazing list!
The Flaming Lips top the list, followed by funk royalty in the form of Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Lettuce and Soulive. Then it’s time for the hometown crowd to chime in. The Foundations of Funk are George Porter, Jr. and Zigaboo Modeliste (both of the original Meters) with John Medeski and Eddie Roberts.
Add in Dumpstaphunk, Nth Power, Earphunk, Zigaboo Modiste & the Funk Review, Tony Hall’s New Orleans Soul Stars Tribute to James Brown, and Flow Tribe. That’s how you do New Orleans!
But wait! There’s more! Lotus, Papadosio and The Floozies ensure that the jamtronic element is alive and well. Zach Deputy and Chali 2na & the House of Vibe will also be… in the house!
The artists at large include two great ladies — Natalie Cressman and Jennifer Hartswick — and five great gentlemen — Pee Wee Ellis, John Medeski, George Porter, Jr., Chali 2na and Skerik.
In case you were wondering, there is an official pre-party on Thursday, September 29th, with Soulive and Friends, Pirates Choice (an incredible collective), Naughty Professor with Chali 2na, and OG GAT, featuring Charlie Hunter, Stanton Moore and Skerik.
Bear Creek Bayou is alive and well and living in New Orleans!
Come on down! MusicFestNews will see you there!
