225BatonRouge.com

Neither evil spirits nor storm damage can keep the good times at bay. The Voodoo Music Experience returns to its original site in New Orleans’ City Park this month, surrounding the recently reopened Museum of Art.

While headliners Red Hot Chili Peppers and recently resurrected Duran Duran may have retro appeal, the rest of the lineup features the cream of the U.S. festival circuit. Scheduled artists include national acts such as Drive-By Truckers and My Chemical Romance, as well as local favorites like Kermit Ruffins and Big Sam’s Funky Nation.

Here are 225’s picks:

The Flaming Lips—

Certainly the weirdest thing ever to come out of Oklahoma City, The Flaming Lips are the current kings of the festival scene, bringing a mix of orchestral, positivist surrealism and elaborate stage shows. We’re talking bunny costumes, fake blood and singer Wayne Coyne roaming above the crowd in a giant bubble. They’ve played plenty of festivals this summer, so their singular brand of weirdness should be a well-oiled, freak-out machine by the time they get here. flaminglips.com

Kings of Leon—

The Followill clan that make up the Kings of Leon burst on the scene with hi-octane, Southern rock-fueled Youth and Young Manhood in 2003, and they’ve gained momentum ever since. Their mix of Skynyrd-style Southern boogie and classic British rock was a welcome sound to many who thought big time rock ’n’ roll was on its last legs. kingsofleon.com.

Wu-Tang Clan—

The Staten Island-based collective of MC’s has been the home base of some of rap’s biggest stars for about 15 years running. Ol’ Dirty Bastard, RZA, Method Man, Ghostface Killah and scores of others have enjoyed Wu-affiliations. After ODB’s death in 2004, the often-splintered crew has regrouped, touring in support of their Legends of the Wu-Tang DVD and bringing one of the most impressive live rap shows ever seen. wutangcorp.com.

Broken Social Scene—

Kevin Drew started the all-star band in 1999 by bringing in friends from other bands. Seven years down the road, Broken Social Scene often swells to 17 members, including soulful female singer Feist, who lent sultry appeal to The New Deal’s Gone Gone Gone and Evan Cranley of indie band Stars. The band has been touring the world, supporting last year’s phenomenal self-titled album, earning a spot on every critic’s Top-10 list out there. arts-crafts.ca/bss.

voodoomusicfest.com