The Buku Music & Art Project kicks off this week and we could not be more excited.
In just a few short days we will be celebrating with our electronic dance music family in the beautiful city of New Orleans.
Are you excited? We sure are.
Below are 5 of the reasons we are giddy with excitement with Buku 2015 right around the corner.
1. The Lineup
Where do we even start? Buku’s carefully crafted lineup will feature more than 50 performances across five stages, including the VIP S.S. Blu-Ku stage.
After performing at Coachella, Ultra Music Festival (despite getting rained out), and The Governor’s Ball, Empire of the Sun looks to start off the 2015 festival season strong. Fellow headliner Bassnectar changes lives with every performance and STS9 is continuing their dominance with Alana Rocklin coming aboard to slay the bass and Saxton Waller melting faces with his lighting designs.
Fresh off his Worlds Tour that changed the way stories are told through an EDM set, Porter Robinson will be laying down a live performance that is sure to take things back to the style prominent with his earlier releases with OWSLA.
There is no doubt that the HDYNATION will be in full force for Flosstradamus, who throws one of the best parties in all of EDM. Continuing in the trap realm, RL Grime never fails to absolutely snap and will be in post season mode, ready to go after wrapping up his Void Tour just a few days ago.
As a godfather of electro-soul Gramatik is an absolute cannot miss. Just trust us on this one.
Odesza is in the middle of a meteoric rise following the release of their latest EP In Return and they are sure to come out guns blazing for what will undoubtedly be one of the best performances of the weekend.
Those seeking more ‘mature’ dance music stylings are in for a treat with Dirtybird Records front man Claude VonStroke who will have you dripping in sweat by the time he steps off the decks. In a similar vein, Hot Creations Founder and minimal tech/house mastermind Jamie Jones is a soft-spoken, silent assassin who lets his music do the talking, just the way we like it.
Thomas Jack is yet another one we are absolutely amped for. Those expecting a chilled out tropical house set are either going to leave pleasantly surprised or sorely disappointed. While Jack’s set will undoubtedly dabble in sunshiney melodies, he’s going to prove to those that his taste is much more expansive, and much, much deeper.
Yet another Dirtybird rep is bound to treat the crowd to something special when Justin Martin goes b2b with Eats Everything.
Mr Carmack, Slander, Bob Moses, Hermitude, Bixel Boys, and Mija are also worth circling on the festy schedule. Though their names fall towards the bottom of the lineup, this speaks more to the stacked talent seeping throughout the entire lineup rather than them being “no names,” so don’t get it twisted.
This isn’t your cookie cutter lineup filled with disposable sounds.
Every name on the ticket has their own unique identity and production style that is ready to open your eyes to something special.
Wherever you end up on your weekend adventures, there is no question that your ears will be filled with the music of incredibly talented artists.
2. Buku Culture
It’s called the Buku Music & Art Project for a reason – the post-modern industrial setting plays host to the most innovative graffiti artists, delicious food, awesome music, and even better people. Not to mention, the city of New Orleans is bursting with vibrant culture that creates a unique experience all in itself.
There is no question that the vibe is going to be on point and you are more than guaranteed to see something ‘next level’ cool.
3. Buku Late After Parties
The festival wasn’t enough? Still hungry for more after the venue shuts down? No worries. Buku’s official after parties have a little bit of something for everyone.
Thursday kicks off with Snails and Trollphace at Republic before giving way to Flosstradamus & Thomas Jack on Saturday.
Porter Robinson will bust out a live DJ set with support from Black Tiger Sex Machine and Goldfish at Republic on Saturday, while STS9 jams out with Hermitude at the Joy Theater. Not feeling those two options? Eats Everything, DJ Three, and more will be spinning at the Dragon’s Den.
If you’re not too plurnt out after three days of going in, G Jones will be rattling the shingles off the roof at Dragon’s Den to close out the weekend.
No matter what you choose, you can’t go wrong. Definitely take advantage of one of these parties.
4. DJ Competition Winner Performance
After stepping up to the decks to face off against four other artists back in January, the tandem of SFAM were hand selected for an official Buku lineup spot.
Having shared the stage with MK Ultra, Crizzly, Luminox, and Borgore, the New Orleans locals are guaranteed to throw down some heavy bass. Considering they have already beaten out a talent pool of hungry up-and-coming producers and that they will be performing in front of their hometown crowd, expect the throw down to be very, very real.
5. The Venue
This picture says it all – Industrial. Waterfront. New Orleans. EDM. Hard to beat that.
If these aren’t enough to get your blood pumping, then we don’t know what else to tell you.
This is just the beginning of the 2015 EDM festival season and we can’t think of a better way to kick it off than in New Orleans for the Buku Music & Art Project.
Buku will take over the Port of New Orleans from Friday, March 13 through Saturday, March 14. For more information on everything Buku and to purchase tickets, visit the official website by clicking here.
Can’t wait to be under that NOLA sky with our EDM fam’ next weekend.
Still not convinced? Check out this video on the Buku vibe below.
All photos via Facebook – Buku Music & Art Project
