Photo Credit: Steve Levine

This past weekend, NOLA Funk Festival returned for its annual offering of musical performances celebrating the sound and spirit of Louisiana’s rich tapestry of artistic influences, drawing on roots, jazz, blues, soul, and, of course, funk.

Sidestepping Friday’s festivities, Saturday, October 18, brought an array of talent across three stages, including up-and-comer River Eckert, in addition to established Crescent City acts like the Honey Island Swamp Band with Mark Mullins, New Orleans Suspects Ft. Jennifer Hartswick, George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, Big Chief Juan Pardo’s Tribal Gold, leading to the day’s final offering, Master P Ft. The Soul Rebels. 

The final day of music presented another staggering lineup of performances, beginning with early afternoon stagings by Space & Harmony, Good Enough For Good Times, and Bucktown All Stars, prior to the highly anticipated arrival of Tony Hall & The S.O. Soul Stars’ Tribute to James Brown, featuring Fred Wesley. Other lauded live frames brought out Funky Meters 2.0, The Headhunters, Galactic, with respected guest Irma Thomas. 

Before the festival came to an official close, The Rumble appeared on the Positive Vibrations Stage ahead of the event’s final frame, which was billed as a Celebration of 50 Years of The Wild Tchoupitoulas. This Mardi Gras Indian group was originally led by George “Big Chief Jolly” Landry (whose nephews were Aaron, Art, Charles and Cyril Neville). The Wild Tchoupitoulas’ 1976 self-titled album, which featured musical backing from The Meters, was added to the U.S. Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2012. 

On location was photographer Steve Levine. Swipe through the photos below.

Saturday, October 18:

Sunday, October 19: