The Voodoo Music Music + Arts Experience is celebrated in one of America’s most famously haunted cities (New Orleans, Louisiana) every Halloween weekend. In it’s seventeenth year, the self-described “musical gumbo” features a killer lineup focused heavily on alt-rockers. The 3-day festival with its spooky vibe has Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, and The Killers as the top billings. With seventy acts performing, there’s plenty of music for everyone's enjoyment this weekend. Here are our top five must-see bands.
Mondo Cozmo
From an outside view, it appears that Mondo Cozmo is an overnight sensation. With just a debut album (2017’s Plastic Soul) under their belt, the band just wrapped up their first headlining tour. Guys like Eddie Vedder and Bob Dylan to iconic bands such as U2 and The Beatles have influenced Josh Ostrander, the man behind the Mondo Cozmo moniker. From Plastic Soul, you can expect to hear the sweeping single “Shine,” the emotionally rousing “Plastic Soul,” and the charming, “Hold Onto Me.” After performances at Life Is Beautiful, Austin City Limits, Outside Lands, and Lollapalooza earlier this year, Mondo Cozmo continues to be a buzz band on the rise. Mondo Cozmo plays Friday at 4:00pm on the South Course stage as well as at 6:00pm on the Toyota Music Den stage.
Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness
California-based indie-pop artist Andrew McMahon is a fighter. The cancer survivor came back stronger than ever this year with his sophomore album, Zombies on Broadway. The Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin singer-songwriter reinvented himself in 2014 with the In The Wilderness moniker by releasing an eponymous album under that title. In 2017, he experienced performances at Lollapalooza, High & Low Festival, Life Is Beautiful, and Austin City Limits. The jubilant musician will definitely play his number one performed song “Cecilia and the Satellite,” which is named after his daughter and “So Close,” the buoyant single off his latest record. For fans of Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin, don’t fret, McMahon always throws in a few of his most memorable tunes into his set. Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness plays Friday at 6:00pm on the Wisner stage.
Brand New
The presence of the elusive rock band Brand New will undoubtedly bring their legion of fans to gather in front of their stage on Saturday. The band scored their first number one album in August with the surprise release of Science Fiction, their first record in eight years. Currently touring behind their new fifth album, the band is playing a firm set-in-stone set that features songs from 2006’s The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me, 2009’s Daisy, and nearly half the set list coming from Science Fiction. They are also including a pair of tunes from Deja Entendu, “Sic Transit Gloria…Glory Fades” and “I Will Play My Game Beneath the Spin Light,” into their set on this tour. Brand New isn’t the Brand New from over a decade ago, but their enigmatic demeanor, progressing sound, and spirited creativity are worth checking out this weekend. Brand New plays Saturday at 7:30pm on the Altar stage.
Colony House
Tennessee natives Colony House returned earlier this year with their sophomore record, Only The Lonely. It was a follow-up to 2014’s When I Was Younger. From their debut, they have songs like “Caught Me By Surprise,” with its indelible hooks and “Learning How To Love,” a tune about young love and the inevitable change it brings with it. Off their major label debut, Only The Lonely, “You and I” is the perfect mix of flashy indie-pop with charming melodies, washed out guitars, and a heavy hitting beat. Expect a handful of catchy, emotive tunes when the young band hits the stage Saturday. Colony House plays Saturday at 3:30pm on the Altar Stage.
Cold War Kids
On their sixth album, LA Divine, Cold War Kids paid homage to the city of Angels and its eccentric splendor. The release is the follow-up to 2014's Hold My Home, which featured the certified Gold single, “First." The band’s overall sonic tone for LA Divine had shifted by uniting crafty, laden hooks with their signature post-punk tenacity. The hypnotic “Love is Mystical” features a stomping piano and a vivacious bassline. Nathan Willett, known his imposing vocals, belts the lyrics, Love is mystical, love will break the chains…give you the power to believe again. Anticipate the LA natives to play their past hits such as “Miracle Mile,” the shout-out loud anthem with its dynamic hooks and addicting chorus with Willett pleading with you to, Come up for air. The other jam is their decade-old single, “Hospital Beds,” a cut that’s far less theatrical than the new material with edgy riffs and bleak lyrics. After six albums, Cold War Kids is the type of veteran band you can appreciate hearing live for not only their mainstream jams, but deep cuts as well. Cold War Kids plays Sunday at 3:30pm on the Altar stage.
See the full lineup + schedule on Voodoo Music + Arts Experience's official site.
