Get ready for another week of live music and cultural events in New Orleans. As usual, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out this week’s OffBeat Weekly Picks:
Photo by Noé Cugny
Fête du Void, the annual two-day camping, music and arts festival, will return for its sixth year in Oakdale, Louisiana. Running this weekend, September 28 to September 30, this year’s event promises an exciting lineup headlined and curated by The Iceman Special, the festival’s creators. Fête du Void boasts multiple indoor and outdoor stages showcasing talent from across the nation and a diverse array of food and art vendors. Among the featured musical acts are Lost Bayou Ramblers, ÌFÉ, SaxKixAve, The Iceman Special and many more. Founded with a focus on mental health and wellness by Hunter Romero and Charlie Murray of The Iceman Special, the festival aims to foster positivity and camaraderie. Romero expressed that Fête du Void embodies the rich cultural values of the South and serves as a unique musical and artistic experience. This Weekly Pick offers on-site camping options at the Hardwood Mill in Oakdale. Tickets are now available on the Fête du Void website, with prices starting at $135.
Photo by OffBeat staff
Several New Orleans favorites, such as Galactic, featuring Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph, Cyril Neville of the famous Neville family, Big Chief Juan Pardo and Roger Lewis, will grace the stage at Tipitina’s this weekend. This event is scheduled for Friday, September 29, at 8 p.m. As a part of the NOLA x NOLA concert series, this show promises to celebrate New Orleans’ rich musical heritage and bring a sense of community to the venue. Notably, Roger Lewis, the acclaimed Baritone Saxophonist from the Grammy Award-winning Dirty Dozen Brass Band, earned the spotlight as he was featured on the cover of OffBeat Magazine earlier this year. To purchase tickets to the event, click here.
Photo courtesy of the National Fried Chicken Festival
The National Fried Chicken Festival will take place on the New Orleans Lakefront on Saturday, September 30, and Sunday, October 1. This culinary event offers two days of fried chicken, live music and activities. The musical performances will include acts such as Big Freedia, Flow Tribe, Khris Royal, Big 6 Brass Band, Trumpet Mafia, The Soul Rebels, Shamarr Allen, Kermit Ruffins and more. Local and national vendors will showcase their fried chicken creations, allowing attendees to sample various flavors and styles. The festival also offers other food options like snowballs. After a hiatus in 2021, the event was reimagined as National Fried Chicken Festival Week. Tickets can be purchased through the festival’s website, with general admission day passes at $15, weekend passes at $25, and VIP options starting at $100.
Photo by Noé Cugny
Judith Owen will deliver a performance on Saturday, September 30, at 7:30 p.m. at the Toulouse Theatre. Judith Owen, the Welsh-American singer-songwriter, is known for her debut North American album, Emotions on a Postcard, released in 1996, and subsequent albums. She co-founded Twanky Records with her husband, Harry Shearer. In addition to her live performance, Judith will also appear on the upcoming Fridays Off…Beat podcast. Furthermore, OffBeat fans may remember that Judith Owen was recognized as the cover artist of our December 2022 issue. To purchase tickets to Judith’s show this weekend, visit Toulouse Theatre’s official website.
Cole Williams, photo by Michael Alford
Singer-songwriter Cole Williams will perform live at BK Historic House and Gardens on Sunday, October 1, at 6 p.m. Recently recognized as a 2023 Unsigned Only Music Competition Semi-Finalist for her song “A Better Woman,” Cole Williams has actively participated in the New Orleans music scene since moving from Brooklyn in 2015. She has collaborated with well-known artists such as Joey Bada$$, Chiddy Bang, and Aloe Blacc, showcasing her vocal and percussion skills. Besides her musical pursuits, she has graced the stages of notable music festivals, including the New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival and the French Quarter Festival. She also received a Best of the Beat nomination for “Best Female Vocalist” from OffBeat Magazine in 2017. Additionally, Cole shares her knowledge and experiences, contributing to the music community by participating in educational webinars, like the “International Touring” webinar presented by the ELLA Project alongside Ron Rona, Artistic Director of Preservation Hall. Click here to purchase tickets for this upcoming Weekly Pick.
