This year’s Downtown Rising is going back to its roots, boasting a lineup of home grown talent supporting ascending national talent.
For Social Entertainment’s Gus Rezende, Downtown Rising is an investment. A thriving Downtown creates a thriving region, he believes, but none of that happens without the next generation taking up the baton and running with it.
“We are celebrating all those artists and painters and musicians and designers and graphic designers and journalists that use Downtown as a hub for them to grow culturally, personally and professionally,” he says.
The event’s goal has always been to showcase an eclectic mix of up and coming talent while bringing the city together through music — a language Lafayette speaks fluently. In the past, one-day festival has showcased acts like Cold War Kids, Big Freedia and Tank and the Bangas.
The career of headliner Boogie T, the moniker of New Iberia-born DJ Brock Thornton, has taken off, leading the self-described “sh***y EDM DJ from the swamp” to top billing at some of the largest music festivals in the country, most recently at Lost Lands Music Festival in Legend Valley, Ohio.
In its fourth year, Downtown Rising continues its tradition of pairing national touring acts with local talent.
Brandon Journet, better known as DJ Digital, has been a staple in radio and mixing for over 20 years. He’s best known locally for his work at 107.9, but he’s gone on to host XXL’s Higher Level Radio, a nationally syndicated program.
Drake “LoveBenoir” LeBlanc, will make his debut as a live DJ. A local filmmaker and entrepreneur, LeBlanc has workeds highlight francophone culture in Lafayette. He co-founded Téle-Louisiane, a multi-lingual media platform that partnered with organizations such as Louisiana Public Broadcasting, France 24, and CODOFIL.
Also on this year’s bill: The Iceman Special, The Debtors, DJ Inzy, FreeBase and lil_art_hoe.
Park International will have its work cut out for it according to Rezende, with this year’s Downtown Rising likely bringing its biggest stage production to date, but the team is ready to take it on.
“We can’t wait for the experience that the visitors will have,” he says.
Get your tickets early! The first 50 people to use the promo code “CURRENT” will receive $5 off general admission tickets, priced at $25. Get your tickets here.