A new festival will create a unique culinary and music experience combining country with rock’n’roll and south of the border with Americana. Culinary masterminds will create a food layout from BBQ and tacos blended together with a south Louisiana flair.

Bandito Food & Music Festival make its debut Saturday, June 22 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Baton Rouge’s Galvez Plaza. 

The festival features a diverse music lineup from the alt-country genre Son Volt, Old 97’s, The Bottle Rockets and Shooter Jennings alongside local acts The Grinders, side project of Meriwether’s Drew Reilly, and the Hitchhiker. Festival Producer Eric Carnegie is thrilled to provide a top musical lineup in Baton Rouge for the festival. “To be able to bring this much musical talent in one day is something we know will peak the interest of not only the people of Baton Rouge but the surrounding areas and states as well,” he said.

Food vendors include Jay Ducote’s Gov’t Taco and Jay D’s Barbecue, Mestizo Louisiana Mexican Cuisine, and BRQ Seafood and Barbecue. More restaurants will be announced in coming weeks. All vendors will compete for the title of the Best BBQ and Best Taco during the day at the festival. “This kind of event coming to downtown Baton Rouge shows that our city is alive and well and ready to celebrate many cultures, food and music!” said Ducote.

Dash Rip Rock will help close out the Bandito festivities at the Bandito Post-Party Show at Happy’s Irish Pub on Saturday, June 22. Several events will take place leading up to the Bandito Food and Music Festival beginning in April. “The Road to Bandito” concert series kicks off on Wednesday, April 10 at Happy’s with Robert Ellis and Ian O’Neil. More shows will be announced soon.

For more information on the festival, click here.