Five Acts You Have To Catch At The Buku Music + Art Project (March 8, 9 in New Orleans)

Music Festival season is fast approaching and while we couldn’t possibly be more excited, sometimes you have to prioritize artists when you go to shows with so much to choose from. Buku Music + Art Project is definitely going to be one of the most insane festivals of the year and recently, I found myself wondering who I would consider to be the Must Sees at this quality packed extravaganza.  

Headliners for the Buku Project include Kid Cudi, Primus, Flux Pavilion, Zedd, Flying Lotus, Datsik, R3hab, Calvin Harris, Passion Pit, Kendrick Lamar, STS9, Public Enemy, Nero, Sander Van Doorn Major Lazer, Big Gigantic and Japandroids. And that’s just the names in bold!! If  the music wasn’t enough, make sure to check out the art gallery from last year as well to give your mind some experiences as well as your ears.

 The range of music at this fest made it tough for me to decide on only five, but there ya have it. So here for your pleasure, in no particular order, are the top five artists I would refuse to miss at Buku. 

1. Primus

I have to start this list off with Primus simply because of how unique and awesome their sound is. Ask anyone who is familiar with Primus  what they would describe their sound as and you are sure to hear at least a few different answers. While they remain firmly in the category of rock, their repertoire combines this with everything from funk to “psychedelic polka” as described by member Les Claypool himself.  Their tour this year, which includes their appearance at Buku,  will be  the first time ever they will have an “enhanced live show”.

2. Big Gigantic

If you know nothing about this dynamic duo, know that I have seen them 3 times and still jump at any show they do anywhere near me. Big Gigantic is composed of saxophonist/producer Dominic Lalli and Jeremy Salken on the drums.  These two guys bring the aural and visual funk like no one else as the sax reaches for the soul, the drums move the mind and body and the synths keep you smiling till after the show is over.

3. Datsik

What else can be said about Datsik besides the fact that he might in fact womp your body motionless. This virtuoso of ball-busting bass came onto the scene in 2009 and quickly made a name for himself with his dark and robotic yet funky tunes that make dubheads thrash like madmen in an asylum. If you are feeling rowdy and rambunctious the first day of Buku, I recommend you get the poison out at Datsik’s set and see if you don’t feel awesome by the end.

4. Public Enemy

Public Enemy is as their name implies, known to say and do what they will and rap music has been all the better for it. This hip hop group is one of a choice few from the earlier days responsible for infusing societal, political and cultural awareness into the form of a hip hop song with poetic and complex themes and addictive beats.  This is sure to be one of the best hip hop shows in a long time, so make sure not to pass them up. Check below for a track remixed with Benny Benassi

5. Flosstradamus

Combining hip-hop beats and dubstep womps and drops, Flosstradamus wraps up the list due to his ability to get a venue moving whether or not you have any idea what songs are being played. Flosstradamus was one of the first artists to gain attention with the emergence and popularity of trap music and not without cause.  Even if trap isn’t your thing, stay 10 minutes and see if you dont end up nodding your head and being taken aback by the mad style enclosed therein.

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