MORE Funk – New Orleans and More – at Bear Creek Bayou? Yes, Please!
We’ve been amped up ever since it was announced that the beloved Bear Creek festival would move to New Orleans and become Bear Creek Bayou Music Festival September 30 and October 1, with a pre-party on September 29.
Then the initial lineup was announced, and we went into orbit: more funk and New Orleans music than you can shake a Mardi Gras gang flag at. As a reminder: The Flaming Lips, 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; Dumpstaphunk, Nth Power, Earphunk, Zigaboo Modiste & the Funk Review, Tony Hall’s New Orleans Soul Stars Tribute to James Brown, and Flow Tribe.
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.
OK, OK, OK. That’s old news! How about some NEW news?
Let’s start with George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, so be prepared to tear the roof off the sucker! And this is the dapper superfly George Clinton!
Bernard “Pretty” Purdie has put together a group of New Orleans Friends, and this should be a blast: Pete Shand (The New Mastersounds), Brian Jordan, and Ivan Neville (Dumpstaphunk).
Eddie Roberts has long been a fan of the late great jazz guitar player Grant Green (Sr.), honoring his style and playing some of his compositions. For this event he is putting together an amazing tribute called Green is Beautiful.
New Orleans represents again with this great additions to the lineup: The Honey Island Swamp Band (Bayou Americana roots rock), Boukou Groove (funk & roots Southern soul), Smoke N Bones (soul, funk & R&B), Gravity A (funktronica jam), Doombalaya (progressive world beat), and be sure not to miss Cha Wa — Mardi Gras Indian funk. Hell, yeah!
The Budos Band brings their ’70s psychedelic instrumental delight from New York (OK, Staten Island), while Russell Scott (L.A. & N.O.!) combines with Andrew Block (Gramatik) for The Russ Liquid Test. And South Florida’s The Heavy Pets deliver rock & roll in every possible form!
Ticket prices go up again on Monday! Get yours now using the official Bear Creek Bayou website.
