festival previews

Oh, New Orleans: my stanky sweet southern mistress. Ever since first visiting the city for Jazz Fest in 2006, I’ve unexpectedly returned on an annual or biannual basis to revel in your easygoing charm. Of course, these trips have all revolved around live music, starting with my first Voodoo Experience in the fall of 2006. Some of them have also been unplanned last-minute jaunts of joy – such as last year’s trip to catch Saturday of Voodoo Experience 2008. The Lil’ Wayne show that day was my first review for BOT, so this year’s Voodoo is also an anniversary celebration of sorts. Here’s hoping my wedding dress still fits, NOLA – because we’ll be getting down honeymoon-style for 3 straight days of amazing music and epic post-fest adventures. We’re gonna be all over this fest like vomit on Bourbon Street.

Check out a preview of Voodoo’s Saturday (Halloween!) festivities, including loads of videos after the jump.

The BOT crew are steadily gearing up for a trip down to New Orleans to attend the 2009 Voodoo Experience for the fourth year in a row. We've got the whole gang going this year, and are coming up with several great ideas for costumes to suit us at this year's festival.

So many of our favorite acts are set to hit the numerous stages surrounding City Park next weekend, including a bevy of first day performances from the likes of Eminem, Ween, Justice, The Black Keys and a whole bunch more. In my preview of Friday, October 30th, I've talked about the bands I'm most excited about seeing. As always, though, visual stimuli deviates me from my intended schedule, so expect different and expanded coverage after the festival concludes.

In the coming days, Toast and Bacon will be bringing you their favorites from both Saturday and Sunday, but for now check out my preview of Friday, October 30th at the 2009 Voodoo Experience after the jump.

I can't believe that it's been a whole year since my last trip up to Michigan for the inaugural Rothbury Festival, which garnered rave reviews from everybody in the BOT staff. I'll be rolling solo this year, but am not worried because there are a world of friends to be made at one of the friendliest place in the world. If not, I can always lose myself in the Sherwood Forest to kill a few hours.... I'll be running around taking tons of pictures of as many artists as I can, and hope to capture the festival as best as possible from Toubab Krewe's opening chords on Thursday until Umphrey's McGee says goodbye on Sunday. If you're a vet to Rothbury, you already know, but if this is your first time, welcome to the best festival ever.

Check out the full schedule here, and the map here. If you need any advice about your first trip up to Rothbury, or have any questions to be answered, there's a wealth of information to be had on the Infobury message board. Also, If you're a Rothbury vet, please feel free to leave any helpful advice to the noobs in our comment section below.

I'll be tweeting live from Rothbury, so feel free to follow BOT on Twitter to keep up with the action as it happens.

See ya in Sherwood...