Buku, I’ll Miss You: A Review of Buku Festival 2014
Today, I sit in my desk at work. A year ago, however, I was on my way to New Orleans for BUKU Music + Arts Project 2014, a 2-day music festival with an EDM, hip-hop, and indie pop heavy lineup.
I recently did a post for Helene in Between reviewing my experience at BUKU 2014, but for those of you who missed it, and because I haven’t done a music post in a while, AND because I can’t stop thinking about it as I sit here at my desk, here’s another little recap.
Basically, it was a crazy fun weekend that really opened my eyes up to the whole EDM scene. I had been to a music festival in New Orleans already (read about my experience at Voodoo Music Festival 2014 here), but I had never been to an EDM festival before. So, I was excited to see what it was all about.
I went with a friend of mine who is an EXPERT in all things EDM/house/trap music-based, which was great because he knew all of the artists and I basically just followed him around all weekend.
Here are 5 things I learned that weekend:
- These kinds of festivals are somewhat more about the party than the music.
- A lot of bros are really, really into EDM. “Bros” meaning the tank top wearing, beefed up, completely hairless bros.
- Most EDM DJs are scrawny white guys. And most EDM lovers are also white guys.
- These kinds of festivals should be like 21+ or something. Drunk 18 year olds are scary creatures.
- Camelbacks are a godsend.
Was BUKU basically what I expected it to be?
Yes. There were a lot of people there that I would never think/want to hang out with on a normal basis. At one point there was a guy next to me yelling “DROP IT! DROP IT!!!!!” during a set. “IT” being “the bass.” Sometimes all the various DJ sets would blend together and it was easy to forget who you were even listening to. Its Friday and Saturday from 2PM to 2AM. That’s two very LONG days. So it definitely takes a certain kind of person to be able to deal with it all.
But with all that being said, BUKU also exceeded my expectations.
The venue, Mardi Gras World, was a great environment and we were lucky to have great weather. The festival was small enough in size to be perfect for someone (like me) who had never experienced the EDM scene before. The food and drinks weren’t ridiculously overpriced. There were also really cool art vendors. Everyone there was generally friendly and didn’t have any problems with people trying to get closer to the stage–although… I’m sure the friendliest people were the ones who were on the most drugs.
The lineup included plenty of artists who I would definitely not classify as “EDM,” so you could still enjoy some great acts even if that realm of music is not your thing. I got to see Ellie Goulding, The Flaming Lips, Explosions in the Sky, Sleigh Bells, Phantogram, and many others. So although I attended many of the DJ sets and really enjoyed myself, it was nice to take a break from the bass drops and synthesizers every now and then. So all festival-goers were satisfied.
Was it absolutely exhausting? Yes. Was it sometimes overwhelming? Yes. Did a drunk 18-year-old try to grind with me? Ugh, unfortunately yes. I am still scarred.
But was it all worth it? Definitely.
I’m sad that I’m missing it this year, especially with the awesome lineup, but this gal’s gotta save money for the big move! So for now, I’ll reminisce on last year!
