Voodoo Music Experience 2007 (New Orleans, LA) 10/26/07-10/28/07

This year marked the 10th season of the Voodoo Music Experience in New Orleans and it was surprising that less fanfare was made. Besides competition from an ever-expanding lineup of other big music fests (such as Vegoose) and a forced scaled-down in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Voodoo has persevered and returned last year as a successful two-day event. For it’s 10th time out, Voodoo expanded to a three-day event with an atmosphere that was as uniquely eclectic as the city that hosts it.

While a lineup featuring such a diverse batch of artists, it was the fans’ tshirts spotted around Bourbon Street that clearly revealed which acts were at the foundation of this year’s festival - reunited 90’s rockers. Namely, Rage Against the Machine and The Smashing Pumpkins. Both bands obliged the crowd’s alternative rock nostalgia, but Rage was clearly the group more excited to do so. Kicking off their set with “Testify,” Rage delievered an explosion of instant-gratification for the anxious attendees. The Pumpkins, on the other hand, seemed more enthusiastic about performing their new material than winning crowd favorite. Even their classic single “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” had been changed in a manner that rendered the song briefly unrecognizable when it popped up about five songs into their set.

Like The Smashing Pumpkins, Ghostland Observatory have an appopriate moniker to play a Halloween fest but also lived up to the festival’s name by performing musical voodoo. An obviously mixed crowd of both fans and those completely unfamiliar with Ghostland helped to pack the small tented stage they were unfortunately relegted to performing within. Under the spell cast by the electronic duo’s sound and energy, the crowd was compelled to dance and actively partake in what was easily one of the weekend’s highlight performances.

Walking through the crowd of costumed concertgoers drinking hurricanes, one got a sense of celebration that went beyond the music. In its 10th season, Voodoo can be distinguished from most music fests as one that truly reflects the unique culture and character of the host city. Despite it being my first time at the fest, I am happy to report that this may’ve been Voodoo’s strongest year - and I look forward to going back.