New Orleans is an essential stop in America for any music enthusiast, that’s a given. And while there are countless quality gigs every weekend across the city there are few, if any, opportunities to experience the city with a bevy of headline acts like when Voodoo Music Experience comes to town.
Since its inception in 1999 it has been known for churning out decent lineups, although it wasn’t until 2007, where the amount of acts was increased significantly alongside headliners Rage Against The Machine and The Smashing Pumpkins, that the festival’s reputation for curating killer line ups really took off.
From then on having big headliners like Nine Inch Nails, R.E.M., Muse, Blink 182, Jack White, Neil Young, Metallica, Pearl Jam and The Cure has been expected rather than hoped for.
Yet Voodoo Music Experience is entrenched in the history of the city’s music scene in a way few other big American music festivals are in their own respective locations.
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After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina the 2005 Voodoo Festival became an invitation only celebration for police, firefighters, National Guard and the many others who contributed to the recovery efforts of the metropolis.
What could have easily spelled the death of the music festival didn’t just make it stronger, but it allowed it to make an everlasting impact on New Orleans in the aftermath of an event that would forever affect the city.
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In the years since Voodoo has grown significantly with three areas, Le Ritual, Le Flambeau and Le Carnival, developed to display the unique and diverse facets of the event and New Orleans. 2007 saw the festival expand to three days as audience figures exceeded 100,000 just as camping was offered in 2012.
In its 15th year Live Nation Entertainment bought the Halloween weekend festival, while the 2014 lineup demonstrates that Voodoo is almost guaranteed to further the festivals’ reputation as an institution in New Orleans. Read on to find out our quick five step guide to the event below.
1. Book Ahead Before It’s Too Late
To ensure you get to spend your Halloween in style you should look into buying the relevant airfares as soon as possible. Obviously getting tickets is essential and you shouldn’t drag your feet on that either. A GA three-day pass is valued at US $150 and while VIP passes will you set you back $500 it does come exclusive access to viewing areas, air conditioned rooms, drink specials, lockers for rent, free carnival rides and even free hot shaves for men to name a few perks. You can go even further and purchase the $2500 Rites Of Passage pass for backstage access if you’ve got the cash to burn.
Head this way to get your tickets.
2. Camping Vs Hotels: All The Accommodation Information You Need To Know
Camping at Voodoo isn’t like your ordinary festival camping. It’s a luxurious option for those who want to be onsite 24/7 for the entire weekend. For US $3500 yourself and a mate get a setup safari tent, queen size bed, electricity, concierge services, a communal lounge with Wi-Fi, 24 hour security medical services, air conditioned rooms, showers, laundry services and breakfast. If that’s just a little too pricey for you Voodoo offers special rates to several of the city’s hotels.
Check out all the details here.
3. Getting To The Festival Site
Held at New Orleans’ City Park the festival should be fairly easy to get too. While getting a taxi on the day is certainly one option Voodoo offers a shuttle bus service from Hyatt Regency Downtown, which could be worth checking out depending on the location of your accommodation. A shuttle pass will set you back $60 for a three day round trip.
Purchase your shuttle credentials here.
4. Culinary Delights: The Food You Should Expect At Voodoo
At its new location in City Park in 2013 Voodoo grouped all the food booths together. The move not only made it convenient, but allowed punters to easily see just how much incredible food the festival really has to offer. While the vendors change every year you can expect everything from native Creole to seafood and Vietnamese.
5. Download The App For All The Extra Information You Need
As you may have noticed with our festival guides we frequently recommend punters download the mobile app before they get to the festival site. It allows you easy access to a map, information on set times and any other handy information you should have on you at all times.
You can download the app for iPhones and Androids via this link.
Need more information? Head to the official Voodoo Music Experience website for the answers to all your questions.
