Pistol Pete's annual Mardi Gras Street Music Festival returns.
An ode to one of the biggest carnivals in the world, local blues bar Pistol Pete’s is once again celebrating all things Mardi Gras next month for a reimagined, three-day event.
Hailed locally as a family-favourite one-day celebration for the past three years, this year will look a little different to what locals are used to, channelling the New Orleans vibrations across two nights and one day in February.
The key takeaways
- The annual Mardi Gras Street Music Festival has been reimagined
- Pistol Pete’s will host five bands over three days
- Limited tickets are on sale now
Looking for a gig this weekend? Tones and I, Missy Higgins, Gordi and more to perform at Mt Duneed Estate this weekend.
Taking place within the local Southern-inspired venue, the event will see five of the country’s finest bands boasting the Big Brassy sounds of New Orleans.
Drench yourself in sequins and kick off the weekend on Friday, February 12 with a stellar performance locked in from Eamon Dilworth’s Crawfish Po’Boys. Inspired by the music of Dr John, Professor Longhair and Kermit Ruffins, the Sydney outfit brings together some of Australia’s finest jazz and funk musicians, including Stu Hunter and Julien Wilson. Led by Trumpeter, songwriter and vocalist Eamon, together this jazzy band create the sound of a big New Orleans street party that will have you shaking your tailfeathers.
If a Saturday night is where you sparkle, the Mardi Gras festivities continue with Skin & Bone Brass Band taking to the humble stage from 9:30pm on February 13. A jangling collection of rare gems, this Melbourne band are all about stitching glorious gospel harmonies into wild New Orleans street corner stomps. Expect to be up on your feet for the duration of their set.
Rounding out the good times, Sunday promises to be the main event with three bands keeping the party going all day long. No stranger to the blues hub on Little Malop Street, NOfonk! will be taking to the stage once again. Headed by Wayne Jury, they will be playing the best of New Orleans funk featuring songs by The Meters, Neville Brothers and loads more.
Joining the esteemed Wayne Jury, Melbourne’s Zydeco Jump add to the Mardi Gras fun. Formed in 1988 by accordionist George Butrumlis and drummer Gary Samolin, this four-piece has become one of the hottest Zydeco music band this side of the Mississippi River. Prepare your earholes for a wild mixture of two-steps, waltzes, blues, boogie, and great original compositions influenced by the Zydeco tradition. The end result is some of the best dance music you will ever hear.
Rounding out the Sunday lineup and the entire three-day event, Jules Boult and the Redeemers will also be bringing the jazz, blues and folk music to town. Joined by his full band, the award-winning singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and international recording artist will prove just why he has become a universally admired blues and jazz entertainer. His music remains true to the blues tradition – and his effortless demeanour, humour and performance style has been closely linked with that of the genre’s legendary predecessors.
Drawing from passions of both blues music and the Southern States, owner Pete Raimondo has absolutely nailed it with this upcoming jamboree, especially when paired with a menu that boasts the true flavours of southern Louisiana.
Prepare the glitter and the beads, circle the three dates on your calendar, and bring your friends down for a massive three days of Cajun-inspired frivolities – and as they say, “Laissez les bons temps rouler!”.
The event runs from Friday February 12 to Sunday, February 14. Limited tickets for all three days are now on sale via the website.
Pistol Pete’s Food N Blues is located at 93A Little Malop Street, Geelong.
