It’s that time of year again – Festival International de Louisiane is just around the corner. From April 24 – 28, downtown Lafayette and the surrounding areas turn into a melting pot of people and cultures as everyone gathers together to celebrate music and art from around the globe. The event is free of charge and brings people from around the world to Lafayette to celebrate.
This year, there is an amazing lineup of bands and musical performances to keep everyone entertained, no matter your taste in music. While you should definitely try to see as many performances as possible, here are four bands you don’t want to miss.
Anders Osborne
Anders Osborne is an award-winning singer, musician and songwriter from New Orleans, Louisiana. His musical talents have earned him a number of awards: New Orleans’ Gambit Weekly’s Entertainer Of The Year; OffBeat’s Crescent City’s Best Guitarist for the third year in a row and the Best Songwriter for the second straight year; and Song Of The Year for his composition, Louisiana Gold. Songs written by Osborne have been performed by a long list of award-winning artists and appeared in multiple feature films.
Don’t miss his performance with special guests Tiffany Lamson and Helen Gillet on April 26 at 7:15 p.m. on Scene TV5 Monde Lafayette.
Doctor Nativo
Guatemala native Doctor Nativo is new to Festival International. His music “layers Mayan spirituality, social activism, and folk wisdom over a propulsive sound combining reggae, cumbia, hip hop, and pre-Columbian instruments.” His music is more than just sounds. It’s a celebration of “indigenous resistance and popular empowerment” with a proud assertion of Mayan identity.
His high-energy music is sure to get you up and dancing. Be sure to check out one of his performances, scheduled for April 27 at 2:30 p.m. on KATC/LA Folk Roots Chat Room; April 27 at 6:30 p.m. on Scene Laborde Earles Law Firm Fais Do Do; and April 28 at 2:15 p.m. on LUS Scene Internationale.
Alsarah and the Nubatones
For the first time ever, Sudan will be represented at Festival International. Alsarah and the Nubatones’ music is self-described as “East-African Retro-Pop,” blending East-African tunes with Arabic sounds and traditions. The group’s sound grew out of conversations about “Nubian ‘songs of return’, modern migration patterns and the cultural exchanges between Sudan and Egypt.” Their unique style is an exciting addition to the Festival lineup this year.
Don’t pass up the opportunity to expand your musical horizons with Alsarah and the Nubatones at one of their two performances: April 25 at 5:45 p.m. on LUS Scene Internationale and April 26 at 5:30 p.m. on Scene TV5 Monde Lafayette.
The Blue Monday All-Stars’ Living Legends Tribute
In a must-see performance that brings together local musicians, The Blue Monday All-Stars’ Living Legends Tribute is a salute to legendary Louisiana artists and a show of support for Festival’s Blue Monday Mission. Smokehouse Porter, Mamie Porter, Henry Gray, Ian Smith, and Jason Parfait will join the Blue Monday All-Stars and special guests Gerald Gruenig, Lil Buck Sinegal, Sir Reginal Dural, Marc Broussard, Carol Fran, Julie Williams, and Tiffany Lamson for this unforgettable performance.
This is one show you don’t want to miss. The performance will be on April 25 at 8:15 p.m. on LUS Scene Internationale.
Be sure not to miss these amazing performances, along with any number of other bands from this year’s outstanding lineup.
