The NOLA Crawfish Festival‘s second day built on the foundation of love already established with more food, more fun and more of the music that defines New Orleans. Situated in the “daze between” Jazz Fest weekends, a pairing between Shaggy, the NOLA Crawfish King and NOLA Brewing Company made for the perfect environment to host a musical celebration.
Yesterday marked the second day of the festival, bringing an incredible lineup of musicians to the forefront. Legends like George Porter Jr., Papa Gros, Papa Mali, Billy Iuso, June Yamagishi and many more were all on hand for the second day festivities. Let’s take a look at some of the artists and highlights from day two of the NOLA Crawfish Festival.
Billy Iuso & The Restless Natives
Guitarist Billy Iuso is a shining example of the Crescent City’s musical fire power. Though not a native, Iuso has been grandfathered in to the local music scene through his relentless work to bridge the gap between funk and rock. Since arriving in the early 2000’s, Iuso has tirelessly gigged around town with his band, The Restless Natives, as well as hundreds if not thousand of sit ins with the many friends he’s amassed along his long journey from his birthplace in New Jersey to his beloved bayou home. Check out a couple of his tunes from yesterday’s stellar set on the Tap Room stage below.
George Porter Jr. Trio with June Yamagishi
What is there left to say about George Porter Jr. that hasn’t been said countless times before? Easily one of the most respected and revered bass players of this or any age, Porter is one of the most respected elder statesman of the music world. As one of the founders of the legendary band The Meters, he is responsible for much of what the world thinks of as funk music. His playing style is as unmistakable as the energy he brings to each and every performance. Let’s watch what the man can do with a pair of tracks from his Trio’s performance at NOLA Crawfish, along with special guest and guitar wonder June Yamagishi, including a spectacularly funky “Turn On Your Love Light.”
Papa Mali & Friends
The bayous of Louisiana have given birth to an amazing array of flora and fauna, and few musicians more exemplify the spirit of their cajun country heritage than the drawling, sprawling guitarist Papa Mali. Heralding from Shreveport, LA, Mali found his life’s mission defined on the streets of New Orleans after witnessing legends like George Porter Jr. and Dr. John. Mali was joined by former 7 Walkers band mate Matt Hubbard and funky local bassist Eric Vogel, along with special guest Brian J of the Pimps Of Joytime. Watch a couple of stellar clips from the show below.
John “Papa” Gros & Friends
The second Papa to bring the noise to the second day of the NOLA Crawfish Festival was funky and soulful keyboard player John Gros. Equally adept at ribald, barrel-rolling piano solos as he is at bringing the house to a stand still with his whisper quiet vocals and ivory tickling, Gros (pronounced “Grow”) brought a stellar cadre of the city’s finest to help him close out the second day of the festival. The cheers were long and loud as he took the stage, and seemed to rise with the end of each tune he shared with the audience. Yamagishi stayed handy after his previous musical destruction with George Porter Jr. to help Gros and company finish the day in fine style.
With two incredible days in the books, fans are buzzing at the final day’s pair of super jams, a crawfish cook-off to be judged by some of the artists themselves and one more chance to sample the limited edition suds from the NOLA Brewery. Check out the full schedule below, and find more information here.
Check out a full gallery of photos below, courtesy of Marc Millman and Sam Shinault:
