Funk Fest

Question

We just bought tickets and made reservations for this year's Funk Fest in October. That reminded me I never put out a report from our trip last October for the Funk Fest and wanted to say a few things, hopefully better late than never.

1) Music

We got there on Wednesday so we could see The Tin Men and Lagniappe Brass Band at DBA, we did and both were great fun. Also hit Dat Dog and wandered the art market, a nice evening on Frenchmen St.

Thursday at the Saenger we saw Girl From The North Country, a musical including a bunch of Bob Dylan songs - small ensemble, very nice and worth seeing.

Friday - Sunday Funk Fest: because I like hearing local music this festival was heaven for me. Hi-lites (my first time seeing all these bands) were Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet and Big Freedia (wow) on Friday, The Soul Rebels on Saturday, and Marcia Ball and Tank and The Bangas on Sunday (but all the bands I saw were really good). I thought the seating areas were great in the VIP section up-front, but the food and beer selection were mostly just-OK festival stuff. The grounds around the Jazz museum were very nice but I think the festival is moving this year to elsewhere in the quarter.

2) Food

We tried Deannie's seafood on Iberville for the first time this trip. We were disappointed in 2 varieties of charbroiled oysters (too salty) but the gumbo, Caesar salad and peel-and-eat shrimp were all well done.

We did beignets from Cafe Du Monde on our Hotel St. Marie balcony two mornings this trip, one of our favorite parts of every trip. Other breakfasts were at Cafe Conti (excellent) and Johnny's Po-Boys (good but slow for takeout and we should have just split one, they're pretty big for breakfast).

On our annual 'oyster hunt' we really liked Felix's this year, though a late-nite order at Oceana were surprisingly good too (but some times late night attitudes can enhance things..).

We also finally made it to Loretta's in the French Market for praline and crab beignets. All I can say is I'm really stupid for not having these before. They were unbelievably good.

The 3-day music festival (our first) was kind of hectic going from band to band all day, but being able to see all these bands in one place was worth it for me. We stayed an extra day after the festival to 'wind down' before leaving, something I'd highly recommend.

I honestly can't believe my wife is willing to indulge me in all this music one more time but she is so we'll be back in October - can't wait!

Answer

It sounds like you had an amazing time last year at the Funk Fest in New Orleans, and your recap provides some great insights for anyone planning to attend in the future! Here’s a breakdown of your experience and a few additional tips for anyone visiting for the first time this year:

1) Music

It’s great that you got there early to enjoy some fantastic live performances! New Orleans is known for its live music scene, and the Funk Fest seems to have been a great way to experience the local talent. Your highlights sound like an amazing lineup:

The Tin Men and Lagniappe Brass Band at DBA: Both are excellent choices to kick off the trip. Frenchmen Street is always buzzing with live music, and DBA is one of the best spots for intimate performances.
Girl From The North Country at the Saenger: A wonderful change of pace from the festival’s funk, offering a bit of theater and Bob Dylan’s music. Sounds like a great cultural experience.
Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet and Big Freedia: New Orleans funk at its finest. Big Freedia’s performance, especially, must have been a huge highlight with her energetic bounce music!
The Soul Rebels: Known for blending jazz and funk, they’re a perfect fit for the festival.
Marcia Ball and Tank and The Bangas: Another fantastic mix of local talent, combining blues, soul, and funk. Tank and The Bangas’ unique style and energy make them a crowd favorite.

Overall, it sounds like the festival was packed with high-energy performances from local legends and up-and-coming stars. The VIP section for seating was a great addition, though you mentioned the food and drink selection could have been better. Still, it sounds like the music made up for it!

2) Food

New Orleans is known for its incredible food scene, and it sounds like you hit some great spots:

Deannie's Seafood: While the charbroiled oysters didn’t meet expectations, it’s great to hear the gumbo and shrimp were solid. It's always worth exploring new places like this, especially for seafood.
Café du Monde: Beignets and café au lait from Café du Monde are a must, and enjoying them on your balcony sounds like the perfect way to start the day in New Orleans.
Café Conti: Sounds like you had a great breakfast there! Known for its classic New Orleans breakfast offerings.
Johnny’s Po-Boys: Good to know they can be a bit slow for takeout, but it’s always nice to enjoy a classic po’boy sandwich. Sharing one next time is a great idea since they can be quite large!
Felix's: It’s great to hear you enjoyed their oysters. It's a local favorite for a reason!
Oceana: Late-night oysters at Oceana were a surprising hit for you. Sometimes those late-night meals, especially with a little bit of that New Orleans attitude, can be some of the most memorable!
Loretta’s Pralines: The crab beignets and pralines from Loretta’s sound like a hidden gem. It's great that you discovered them on this trip—definitely a must-try for anyone visiting the French Market!

It seems like your "oyster hunt" was a huge success, and it’s always fun to find new favorites while revisiting classic spots. It sounds like you made the most of your food adventures during this trip!

3) Festival Experience

As for the festival itself, it sounds like you had a great time, even if it was a bit hectic going from band to band. The three-day event must have been a whirlwind of music and fun, but taking an extra day to wind down after the festival was a smart move. It’s always nice to decompress before heading home, especially after such an action-packed weekend!

Lastly, it’s awesome to hear that your wife is on board for another Funk Fest trip this year—New Orleans has a way of pulling people back year after year, especially with the music scene and delicious food. Hopefully, this year’s Funk Fest will be just as memorable as last year’s, if not more!

Thanks for sharing your experiences—it’s sure to help others planning their own trips to New Orleans during the festival!