Magic, Masquerades, Music, and Mayhem have long been associated with
New Orleans’s culture. It is no surprise that we find ourselves entering into this old
historic city on the weekend of All Hallows Eve to Worship the Music in one of
America’s strongest growing traditions, VooDoo Fest. With the exception of
2005, when Katrina destructively descended upon the city, the bayou has had its
waters rippled with the sounds of heavy weights since 2000 A.D.
Now, as Voo Doo Fest approaches its 15th annual celebration and it seems that the
strength of this years line up was curated to draw spirits from all corners of the
country. Eclectically speaking, this line up is all across the board, and I am mad
curious to see how they blend.
Combining deadmau5 on a roster with Jack Ü, Alesso, the great Giorgio
Moroder, Santigold, Duke Dumont, Destructo, along with growing acts like Jauz, Nina
Las Vegas, Mija and Joywave is like handing out electronic ear sugar to a sea of candy
ravers. Ozzy will be gracing us with his unholy presence while Florence and the Machine
spreads her glowing wings once a gain to a crowd of thousands. Modest Mouse,
Jane’s Addiction, Girl Talk, Metric, The Joy Formidable, Django Django and Peaches
will haunt our hipsters.
For anyone going here is a quick survival guide that will help you through the weekend:
Flying
If you haven’t yet booked your air travel, you’re kind of cutting it close!
Driving
Voodoo takes place on the festival ground of City Park in New Orleans. If you have a VIP pass, your ticket package may include a parking permit–or you may be able to buy a parking pass. If you are general there are pay for parking areas outlined on the maps you will find on the cite
Parking: Parking lots from 5-15 minute walk from the festival range from $60-$100. Shuttles look to be the most cost-effective option. Map below
By the way–if you don’t purchase a parking pass, be prepared for a nightmarish situation trying to find street parking. You’ll be better off using an alternative form of transport if you don’t want to throw down for a pass.
Taxis
You can take a taxi to get dropped off at Voodoo and there will also be a very clearly marked area for picking up taxis when you’re leaving. Just remember how many people will be there, though, and plan to fight for cabs. Here is a list of cab companies in the area, all of which were recommended by the festival in previous years:
- United Cabs Co: 504-522-9771
- Checker-Yellow: 504-943-2411
- White Fleet Cab Co: 504-822-3800
- Coleman Cab Co: 504-586-0222
- Yellow-Checker Cabs: 504-525-3311
Also UBER can be helpful here.
Public Transit
There’s a streetcar stop located by the festival entrance in front of the Museum of Art. The only problem? There are only two cars that leave after the headliner finishes, so by our calculations that means .10 percent of the crowd can squeeze onto them.
Biking
The festival heavily recommends biking to get to City Park, and New Orleans is pretty friendly for cyclists. You should enjoy the ability to get to and from the festival without waiting in any traffic, but make sure you make additional plans if you’re going to be drinking throughout the day!
WHERE TO STAY
Hotels
Voodoo partners with tons of New Orleans hotels to offer affordable rates during their festival weekend. You can enter in the dates you want to stay here and check out what they’ve got!
Camping
Voodoo offers camping. Clicking on that link will give you all the info you need and lead you to a site where you can purchase camping passes. If you decide to go this route, don’t forget to bring extra cushions for sleeping–no one likes to be sore when they wake up–and plenty of water!
Alternative Lodging
Air BNB is an innovative alternative to hotels. The site lets people list their extra rooms, apartments, homes, etc., and rent them out for a night, weekend or more. There are still availabilities if you search on there!
Couch Surfing is similar to Air BNB, and you might get the opportunity to stay with someone who is going to Voodoo themselves.
Maybe this is a bit of a “duh” suggestion, but send out a tweet or two–you probably don’t know everyone following you and maybe a friend can help!
WHAT TO PACK
Don’t skimp on what you bring to New Orleans. It’s better to be safe and over-prepared than sorry and under-prepared.
- Water – Take a water bottle especially if you’re planning on standing in line before doors open.
- Cash – Most purchases will require cash. There are ATMs, but you’ll have to sacrifice your children in transaction fees.
- Sunscreen (no aerosol cans), bug repellant
- Poncho – Don’t be that guy near the front with an umbrella if it starts raining, okay?
- Hand sanitizer – Perhaps the best way to fight off the germs.
- Phone charger – Just in case you need it…and you know you will.
Finally, here are a few notable items that Voodoo does or does not let you bring….these are items that people very often have questions about, and not every festival follows the same protocol:
- YES small, soft backpacks and purses
- YES small blankets and beach towels
- YES small flashlights
- YES backpacks that hold water–but they have to be empty
- YES Collapsible, soft folding chairs
- NO tents (except in designated camping areas)
- NO pets
- NO audio or video recorders, or still cameras with lenses longer than 4 inches
- NO laser pointers
WHAT TO WEAR
Congratulations! You’re going to Voodoo, which means it’s actually not going to be blisteringly hot at your festival of choice. The high should be in the mid-70s with lows dipping into the 60s. Remember, Voodoo is a rain or shine event!
Also, don’t forget the very simple fact that you’re going to be in New Orleans! Bourbon Street is barely getting started by the time the festival ends, so remember to bring extra clothes for the nightlife after you’ve had the chance to shower off your festival day.
- Backpack – Way, way easier to carry than a shoulder bag or holding stuff all day.
- Two pairs of comfortable shoes – Make sure they’re already broken in. Nothing worse than getting blisters from a pair of brand-new boots.
- Shorts – At least for the daytime. It’s not so hot that pants will be miserable, but we’re worried about the possibility of rain when it comes to jeans.
- Watch – Your iPhone won’t last forever, you know, so just check your wrist instead
- Extra socks – Seriously. You want to walk around in wet socks all day if it rains?
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Costume
Drink Water Constantly
Here’s a list of fun things to do in the emergency room after you’ve passed out from dehydration: [content not found]
Overdo the Booze
See above with that whole thing about passing out.
Prepare for the Worst
Nice people tend to return lost items or put them in the lost and found. Consider making your name, phone number or a friend’s phone number very obviously noticeable on your possessions.
With so many different sounds coming from such a heavy hitting line up, along with
visionary artist decorating the grounds with installation , and deadmau5
unveiling a new futuristic staging, Voodoo Fest 2015 is probably the best way
anyone could finish out this years festival season. Being that is mere minutes from
the French Quarter in a city whose bars just don’t close, you can bet there will a lot of
pranking and rebel rousing as swarm of costumed and candy masked mischief makers
fill the city for this unholy weekend. So, if you find yourself down in
New Orleans make sure not to miss this deadly dance party, it might just haunt you
for the rest of you life…….
Check it out: http://www.Worshipthemusic.com
