The final day of the NOLA Crawfish Fest brought record attendance to the perfect environment in hosting a musical celebration during Jazz Fest’s “daze between” event. Thanks to Shaggy, the NOLA Crawfish King, and NOLA Brewing Company, the three-day gathering brought top to bottom New Orleans experiences, bringing together a trifecta of Southeast Louisiana perfection – the absolute best crawfish, music, and beer the city has to offer.
Day One Of The NOLA Crawfish Festival Hosts Neville Jacobs, Honey Island Swamp Band & More
The music kicked off with the NOLA Crawfish Fest MVP, featuring Jon Cleary, Nigel Hall, Tony Hall, Raymond Weber, and Derwin “Big D” Perkins, who shared two hours of New Orleans-infused funktastic classics and throwbacks. The set included funk staples “Groove Me, “Go Go Juice,” When You Get Back,” and others. Videos to come.
Meanwhile, several teams participated in “The Ultimate Crawfish Cook-Off,” mixing and broiling their unique crawfish recipes for the judges to taste. The Soul Big Brass band kept the music alive, with special guest Natalie Cressman, while the judges made their way through the contestants.Â
This year’s celebrity judges included NOLA rockers Anders Osborne and Dave Malone of The Radiators and Raw Oyster Cult, award-winning chef Nathanial Zimet of Boucherie, renowned chef Kristen Essig, Al Scramuzza the original “Crawfish King”, and Miss Louisiana 2016, Maaliyah Papillion.
Congratulation to Sam D’Arcangelo and Zach Stewart for winning The Ultimate Crawfish Cook-Off!
Legends returned to the Warehouse stage for the “Crawfish Fest All-Stars” featuring George Porter, Jr., Terence Higgins, Billy Iuso, Dave Malone, and special guest Anders Osborne. A definite highlight from the week, their set included NOLA staples like “Them Changes,” “Crawfish Head,” “I’ll Take You There,” as well as a cover of Prince‘s “Raspberry Beret.” Videos to come.
All in all, the NOLA Crawfish Fest was a great success. Attendees were treated to specialty food, beers, and some of the most happening music in town. We can’t wait for next year!
Setlist: “Crawfish Fest All-Stars” featuring George Porter, Jr., Terrence Higgins, Billy Iuso, Dave Malone, and Anders Osborne, NOLA Crawfish Festival, New Orleans, LA – 4/27/16:
Papaya (DM)
Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues (BI) +
George jam +
Them changes (GP) +
Do or Die (BI) + %
Ohio (AO) + %
Crawfish head (DM) * %
See it through (BI) (w Aria Iuso on Vocals ) * %
I’ll Take You There (GP)
When you got a Heartache (DM)
Raspberry Beret (BI)
The Dragon (GP)
I Like it Like That (DM)
Love Slip Up On Ya ( BI & GP)
+ w/ Jason Crosby on Keys
% w/ Anders Osborne
* w/ Mitch Woods on Keys
[Photos courtesy of Sam Shinault]
