The gist: Festival International 2022 has a dizzying array of international and local talent. The Current’s readers, friends and staff have some pics to help you choose.
Les Filles de Illighadad. Selected by local smart-kids-in-turtlenecks and Steely Dan acolytes Scenic World. Sunday, 3:45 p.m., Scene Tito’s Handmade Vodka Lafayette. They had this endorsement:
“Their guitarist, Fatou Seidi Ghali, is one of the only Tuareg female guitarists in Niger. Her mesmerizing guitar style along with the meditative group vocals make them a must-see band this year!”
DahkaBrahka. Saturday, 9 p.m., Scene Tito’s Handmade Vodka Lafayette. Selected by Christiaan Mader, The Current’s hipster-in-chief. Here’s his thought bubble:
“From Kyiv, the band has used their U.S. tour as a platform to denounce Russia’s invasion of their home country. Their performance is bound to be a collision of art and protest, rare on the FIL stage.”
Bombino. Saturday, 7:15 p.m., Scene Tito’s Handmade Vodka Lafayette. Selected by Jonny Campos of Lost Bayou Ramblers. Here’s his Grammy Award-winning recommendation:
“Bombino was the first Tuareg guitar player I’d ever seen before I knew what Tuareg was. His phrasing and voice are incredible plus his record Agadez is a mainstay in the Rambler van on tour.”
Lost Bayou Ramblers, Roddie Romero, KC Jones. Check the full schedule here. Selected by KATC weather prophet Rob Perillo. Here’s his forecast:
“With so many diverse talented artists, it’s difficult for me to pick one international group, so I go to where I know, and that’s the veritable buffet of our local artists at Festival.”
Where to find our expert panel:
- Scenic World at LUS La Craft Biergarten stage; Saturday, 2:45 p.m.
- Lost Bayou Ramblers & 79ers Gang at La Galerie KATC/National Park Service Stage; Saturday, 7 p.m.
- Christiaan Mader wherever food is sold
- Rob Perillo with his favorite band Hat and the Sun Blocks; under Downtown’s shadiest tree