NASHVILLE |DATE: November 11, 2005
FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/KRISTINE ASHTON-MAGNUSON/
MITCH SCHNEIDER
VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE 2005
TRIUMPHS AGAINST ALL ODDS
What’s remarkable about the 2005 VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE is that it even happened at all.
Despite the incredible odds of mounting a music festival in New Orleans only two months after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the annual VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE was a triumphant moment for the return of live music to the city, with plans already in motion for the 2006 event.
As Keith Spera noted in the TIMES PICAYUNE: “Two months ago, it appeared the Voodoo Music Experience would be another Katrina casualty. But you'd never have known it on Saturday, when the festival's trademark mix of local and national acts rocked Riverview Park…On an afternoon of flawless weather…attendees streamed into Riverview Park, the swath of reclaimed land between Audubon Zoo and the Mississippi River, for 12 hours of music and distraction.”
Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, The Secret Machines and New Orleans’ own World Leader Pretend were among the 25 artists who turned in strong sets for Saturday, October 29’s day-long concert at New Orleans’ Riverview Park (behind the Audubon Zoo). More than 25,000 people from all walks of life–relief workers to politicians to fire fighters and everyday citizens–all came together in celebration of a city they love and look forward to rebuilding. It marked the first major multi-musical performance in the two months since Hurricane Katrina’s effects were felt in this hallowed city.
Saturday also marked day one of a two-day concert event whereby two cities were united with a common goal: to celebrate and renew the city of New Orleans. Following Saturday’s New Orleans’ show, the musicians traveled onto Memphis for Sunday’s show which served as a fund-raiser for the New Orleans Restoration Fund (NORF). A final tally of monies raised is pending. This marks the first time in VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE’S history that the event was split into two cities and the first time the event did not take place in New Orleans’ City Park.
“It truly was a struggle to move forward with this year’s event,” says VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE producer Stephen Rehage. “This was definitely one of the more difficult things I’ve done in my life. In the end, knowing that we were able to give something back to our New Orleans hometown made it all worthwhile.”
MTV NEWS correspondent James Montgomery noted of Saturday’s New Orleans’ concert: “…Voodoo Music Experience was so important. A Halloween-weekend tradition since '99, Voodoo has always served two purposes: First and foremost, it pays tribute to the city's diverse and deep musical culture…the crowds filed out of Riverview Park, tired and a bit muddy but happy. They all knew that it was going to take more than good luck to dig their city out of the ruins and to get their lives back on track–but at least for one night, they weren't constantly reminded of that fact. And their exit created another positive sight: a serpentine line of traffic. The last time many of the audience members saw so many tail lights, they were fleeing New Orleans. Now, they were heading home.”
Saturday marked a homecoming for not only the local musicians performing on the WWOZ stage, but also for NINE INCH NAILS’ headliner Trent Reznor, who told the crowd, “It’s good to be home.” REZNOR–who lived in New Orleans for 12 years–was committed from the get-go to returning to New Orleans and performing for the people and was the main advocate for moving the festival back there.
“If it hadn’t been for Trent Reznor we may not have come back to New Orleans so soon,” Rehage adds. “But with Trent and the city officials fully behind us, we know that coming home was the right answer.”
Queens of the Stone Age front man Joshua Home said “I was here before Katrina, during Katrina, and I will be here after Katrina,” when asked how he felt about his musical roll in the rebuilding effort.
World Leader Pretend Guitarist Matt Martin told the DAILY TEXAN, “Music means the world to people in New Orleans and it means the world to us that we can be a part of bringing that back. To just have one day of entertainment is a huge morale boost.”
And the TIMES PICAYUNE noted of Cowboy Mouth drummer Fred LeBlanc: “For years, LeBlanc has preached a sermon about the joys of New Orleans. It has never seemed more appropriate than at Voodoo. ‘Baton Rouge is nice,’ he said. ‘Atlanta is OK. I got nothing against Texas. But New Orleans is the greatest city in the world.’”
But the musicians weren’t the only ones voicing their support:
Mayor C. Ray Nagin took to the stage to welcome his citizens back and ask for a moment of silence to honor everyone affected by the hurricane. “You just don't know how good you look! We're sending a statement to the world that New Orleans is back, music is back, our rhythm is back. Everything that people love about New Orleans is back.”
New Orleans City Councilmember Jacquelyn Bechtel Clarkson followed the Mayor’s speech, presenting Rehage with a proclamation and key to the city. She too expressed her thanks, “We say to you Mr. Rehage, thank you, we love you and God bless you.”
Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu told the TIMES PICAYUNE, “This is a symbol of how quickly the music industry can get back on its feet. Plus it's a great opportunity for fellowship. Everybody feels like they've been living on an isolated island.”
Additionally, the concert attendees had warm wishes for the VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE. As New Orleans fireman Adam Labored told TIGER WEEKLY (LSU): “It’s so great to have people show that they care about their city and the people helping to rebuild it. I am very grateful to the Voodoo Music Experience for showing their appreciation.” LSU sophomore Ashley Defunct added, “Everyone needed the escape from reality, just one day to enjoy themselves like regular people.”
Stay tuned for news of the 2006 VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE set for Halloween weekend in New Orleans.
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