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Ozzy embraces Halloween after Muse's monstrous
production, but Weezer steals the show

Voodoo Music Experience 2010
City Park, New Orleans, LA
October 29 - 31, 2010
MGMT
MGMT
Weezer
Weezer
Muse
Muse

Story and Photos by Andy Argyrakis & Mike Kane

Just a few days before the 2010 edition of Voodoo Music Experience, an announcement was made proclaiming City Park as the ongoing sight for the famed New Orleans festival through at least 2019. Aside from being the perfect place to hold one of America 's largest gatherings of alternative and indie rockers, it was a testament to the event's consistency year after year. Now on par with all the major multi-band bills, but with a flavor and character one of a kind to the Crescent City, this year was right in step when it came to merging a handful of ultra-famous acts with rising stars of the underground.

Muse, Ozzy and My Morning jacket at the top

It just a few short years, Brit rockers Muse went from playing small clubs and theatres piggybacking on the coattails of Radiohead before exploding with mainstream acclaim and an epic rock sound of its own that blurs progressive and alternative instrumentation. Following a previous Lollapalooza headlining position and tour with U2, the group finished off Friday night with a set steeped in towering production, including massive screens broadcasting abstract imagery as it blazed through nearly two hours of blistering experimentation. All the while, Muse appeared innovative (though sometimes much too loud) while unloading everything from the charging "Uprising" to the heady "Supermassive Black Hole" and a plethora of cerebral jam sessions.

The following evening, Ozzy Osbourne fully embodied the spirit of Halloween with a spectacle similar in size to his predecessor, but a hard rock/heavy metal sound that could make even the ghastliest ghoul's blood curl. Granted, "The Prince of Darkness" doesn't seem as menacing following his MTV reality show stardom and he isn't quite as sharp forty-plus years into the game. But even with that semi-caricature status, a searing band of backers half his age helped his latest album Scream, plus older solo tunes and a handful of Black Sabbath cuts, sound nothing short of harrowing.

Sunday night found the caliber of ringleaders tapering considerably with My Morning Jacket, an ample afternoon dweller or supporting act at most (as it's done previously at Coachella and Bonnaroo), but not quite ready to follow in the footsteps of Muse or Ozzy. The thinner by comparison crowd was filled with mostly fervent followers of the psychedelically-tinged Louisville rock n' rollers, who kicked up some dust grooving to the group's squashy jams.

Second in command

Given its influential history thus far (not to mention hit parade), it's unfathomable why Weezer wasn't in a top spot since its blistering 75-minute set was amongst the most enthralling of the entire weekend. Master of melodic sensibilities Rivers Cuomo led the group through all its main staples of sunshine-infused satire, including "Hash Pipe," "Undone (The Sweater Song)," "Surf Wax America" and "Island In the Sun." Even more alluring than the songs themselves was the front man's engaging antics, which included climbing several speaker rigs, running out to the soundboard and serenading the back of the crowd from the top of a portable bathroom.

Though not as well known by name, Street Sweeper Social Club is filled with familiar members, namely guitarist Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave) and front man/emcee Boots Riley (The Coup). After cutting their teeth on a tour supporting Nine Inch Nails and Jane's Addiction, the rap/rock duo started hitting a live stride, which was evident throughout several socially conscious cuts wrapped around the co-leaders' explosive stage presence.

Other noteworthy names included Macy Gray, the neo-soul siren best known for the cackling R&B classic "I Try," but one who's unique fashion sense and far ranging crooning abilities continues to enchant and mystify (a package taken even further by the curious newcomer Janelle Monae). Taking a break from The Wallflowers, Jakob Dylan & Three Legs found the singer/songwriter indulging his alternative country side (with a handful of stripped down Wallflowers songs for the familiarity factor) that was loosely reminiscent of his even more famous father's stylistic trajectory.

Colorful quick takes

From the newer class, rapper Drake demonstrated his ability to sniff out a single while switching between rap and hip-hop that have crowned this Canadian the second coming of Lil Wayne. The always dark and foreboding Interpol continued to resurrect the ghost of Joy Division, doused with some New York-derived post-punk attitude. Fellow Big Apple boys MGMT continued to climb the popularity ladder thanks to an unavoidably alluring blend of keyboard-tinted retro rock (all while dressed as the "Scooby Doo" cast), while Metric stepped up the synthesizer quotient to bring about additional recollections of the new wave era.

A welcome expansion to Voodoo this year included a slew of world class DJs, who kept the beats blasting well into the wee hours. Internationally-heralded turntable wizards like Paul Oakenfold and deadmau5 transformed the public park into an intimate dance club, adding some diversity to the otherwise rock-centric occasion. The legendary Chrissie Hynde best embodied the ability to transition from esteemed leader of The Pretenders to her rootsy new band JP, Chrissie & The Fairground Boys, while everyone from Cage the Elephant to Florence and the Machine and The Airborne Toxic Event helped usher in the future of indie rock.

As Voodoo fledges into the future, variety will always be welcomed, though the core purpose of showcasing the modern rock ranks (and its like-minded offshoots) was once again upheld with integrity. And considering this year fell smack dab in the center of Halloween weekend once again, it served as the ultimate platform for costumed celebration that only added to the welcomed craziness and endless array of color.

Related articles:

Voodoo Music Experience 2009
Voodoo Music Experience 2008
Voodoo Music Experience 2007
Voodoo Music Experience 2006
Voodoo Music Experience 2005
Voodoo Music Experience 2002

Janelle Monae
Janelle Monae
Janelle Monae
Janelle Monae
Janelle Monae
Janelle Monae
Janelle Monae
Janelle Monae
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket
Muse
Muse
Muse
Muse
Muse
Muse
Muse
Muse
Muse
Muse
Muse
Muse
Interpol
Interpol
Interpol
Interpol
Interpol
Interpol
Interpol
Interpol
Interpol
Interpol
Interpol
Interpol
Cage the Elephant
Cage the Elephant
Cage the Elephant
Cage the Elephant

Voodoo Photo Gallery #1
Voodoo Photo Gallery #2

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