The organizers have moved the annual event up on the calendar in order to take advantage of better weather. They have also continued the tradition of hiring stellar musicians who are connected to the Maple Leaf Bar. Here are some of the highlights.
Since food is really the main driver of people to the Po-Boy Fest, the music starts earlier than most other festivals. Darcy Malone and the Tangle kick off the festivities at 10:15 AM inside the Maple Leaf Bar. I suspect this is the earliest a band has ever graced the historic stage. The Leaf will take a break from music to show the Saints game on the big screen beginning at noon.
Pint Alley, the smaller stage located at Leonidas and Willow streets, gets going at 10:30 AM with the 101 Runners Mardi Gras Indian band. This group features an all-star band led by percussionist Chris Jones and fronted by Big Chief Juan Pardo.
The main stage at Oak and Eagle streets kicks off at 11:30 AM with Funk Monkey. This band is an offshoot of the trombone-driven ensemble Bonerama and features Bert Cotton on guitar and Greg Hicks on trombone. They play soul jazz inspired by greats like Grant Green.
The Iko Allstars follows on the main stage. This group mines the music of the Grateful Dead with a decidedly New Orleans feel. Guitarists Papa Mali and Billy Iuso share vocal duties. I saw their most recent set at Tipitina’s celebrating Jerry Garcia’s birthday in August and it was off the hook.
Bassist Reggie Scanlan of the Radiators and the New Orleans Suspects anchors the rhythm section, which, like the Dead, features two drummers, Johnny Vidacovich and Mike Fou. Keyboardist Drew Meez rounds out the group. They hit at 1:45 PM.
Over on the Pint Alley stage, the Honey Island Swamp Band hits at 3 PM and the Lost Bayou Ramblers close out the stage at 5:30 PM.
A new band made up of musicians who have played together for decades debuts at 6:15 PM on the main stage. The Ambushin’ Bastards features guitarist and vocalist Dave Malone of the Radiators and Raw Oyster Cult, the aforementioned bassist Reggie Scanlan, keyboardist John Gros, late of Papa Grows Funk and currently celebrating a new solo album, drummer Doug Belote, and guitarist Jake Eckert of the New Orleans Suspects. They will be reprising their well-received tribute to the great Louisiana songwriter, Bobby Charles of “Walkin’ to New Orleans” fame.
The music continues inside the Maple Leaf until the wee-wee hours—especially if the Saints win!
