Yoga Turn Up With GRiZ
When you’re on the road for a festival two states away, you truly start to embrace your inner yogi; there’s nothing quite like a lengthy stretch to revive your limbs and refresh your mind. Sexy saxman Grant Kwiecinski, aka GRiZ, agrees 100%. One of our favorite moments from last year’s BUKU was our impromptu yoga sesh with the funky headliner pre-show. After slugging down a king size bag of Sour Patch Kids, we proceeded to center our chi’s and strengthen our vinyasa flows with GRiZ coaching us along the way. We never would’ve guessed funk and yoga would go hand in hand, but we refuse to have it any other way, now.
Bone Thugs N Harmony Rare Full Reunion
Bone Thugs N Harmony are truly a group that need no introduction. Riding on the heavy success from their platinum selling albums throughout the 90’s, it was a dream come true to see all four thugs owning the stage, including Flesh-N-Bone, who had been largely incarcerated during most of the group’s touring career. Performing several staple songs, such as ‘1st Of The Month’, ‘Crossroads’, ‘Thug Luv’, and more, they also whipped out tributes to Eazy E, 2Pac, and of course, the Notorious B.I.G. Twenty years worth of music by Bone Thugs was unleashed upon the ruggish crowd that night at the Power Plant stage, and we’ve been replaying the moment ever since.
Zeds Dead ‘Secret’ Live Graffiti –Although Zeds Dead took the Float Den stage on the first day of the festival, it was during day two that fans were in for a real surprise. Most attendees passing by the BUKU Graffiti Wall, an open space for artists to create during the festival, were oblivious to one half of the Zeds Dead producer team Zach, aka Hooks, working on a spray paint canvas of his own. Luckily, we were tipped off by an awesome volunteer to take in this spontaneous BUKU moment!
Partying Aboard the S.S. BUKU
The exclusive boat stage known as the S.S. BUKU played host to some of the best antics of the weekend while simultaneously homing the VIP only performances. Dancing a mere foot away from house legends Holy Ghost! DJ booth and getting dizzy with B-Boy MC Gas Lamp Killer, it was the raddest VIP experience we’ve had at a festival yet. The open bar flowed all day and night long, and the musical lineup remained stacked the entire weekend. Do yourselves a favor and join us on the boat by upgrading your pass, now.
Shmoozin’ at Back Alley Stage
With it’s lightly dimmed ambience and stunning riverfront view, the Back Alley Stage laid on the sexy BUKU vibes thick, making it no mystery why we spent a lot of our time letting loose at this stage. Getting down to the future R&B/underground electronic sounds of Cashmere Cat in particular was a highlight, as his newly hyped status was at its peak during his performance at BUKU. The crowd’s energy was almost too much for the back alley to hold, making it that much more epic.
Big Freedia Twerk Class
What made BUKU so unique was the obvious ability for the festival’s curators to think outside of the box – sure you can create an instant party with bumpin’ speakers and a cool stage, but keeping the party creative is what truly takes talent. Hosting off-the-wall entertainment such as twerking lessons taught by the twerk master Big Freedia, an all local BUKU couture fashion show and an insanely New Orleans authentic meets festival-insanity cook off, we were up to our necks in unique and fun BUKU esque shenanigans from which to choose. Name another festival that comes close. (Hint, we already tried; it’s impossible).
After Partyin’ Bar Hops
NYC is hailed as the city that never sleeps, but we think New Orleans has the Big Apple beat. Last year we barely made it through the daytime shenanigans to attend the raging after parties hosted by the BUKU crew, so we know from experience: prepare to bring your A game if you’re gonna party it up like a true Cajun. The BUKU Late Nights are planted throughout various venues and clubs in historic Nola, so not only do you get to rage it beyond the fest, but you get to taste the authentic and wild flavor of New Orleans nightlife. Sounds like a win win in our book!
The countdown to our Nola adventure begins now. Grab your weekend passes before they sell out and meet us there! May the BUKU be with you.
