Lucky 13

Thirteen might not bode well for some, but for New Orleans, the 13th ritual of The Voodoo Music Experience will see some of the biggest names in rock, pop, hip-hop and our native Louisiana music arrive at City Park the weekend of Oct. 28. Offering something for everyone, with plenty of food and drinks and three-day passes for $150, Voodoo is more than worth the drive for Baton Rouge music lovers.

In a city where old meets new every day, this year’s lineup draws from across the decades to bring a melting pot of star acts still running strong and new performers on the rise.

Among the big-name acts are a recently reunited Soundgarden, making the Seattle band’s only festival performance of 2011, rap icon Snoop Dogg, who’s back for a second time in City Park since 2001, 1970s rockers Cheap Trick, and iconic Kinks founder Ray Davies.

Nineties mainstay Blink 182 will also make its Voodoo debut this year while pop-punk band My Chemical Romance and blues-punk heavyweights Social Distortion are both back for their third rounds at Voodoo.

Sprinkled in among these behemoths of the last two decades, festivalgoers will find acts that have become powerhouses in their own right in the last few years. Just one example is rock supergroup The Raconteurs, led by Jack White and Brendan Benson, making a welcome return to Louisiana with its hard-charging brand of bluesy garage rock.

X, a 1980s punk staple, and the bizarre Japanese punk group Peelander-Z will be some of the more experimental additions to the event and prime for curiosity-seekers. Eclectic Brooklyn band TV on the Radio is sure to be the biggest name for indie rock fans, but there will be plenty of other draws, including Louisiana’s own GIVERS and the catchy pop duo Mates of State. One of the hardest-working bands in indie music, Portugal. The Man, will visit Voodoo while touring in support of its seventh album in as many years.

Mash-up extraordinaire Girl Talk, DJ Z-Trip, Major Lazer, A-Trak and Mike Relm are bound to draw the biggest dance parties at Voodoo with their deejay sets.

For those wanting to celebrate local jazz, blues and zydeco music, Voodoo does not disappoint. Natives Dr. John and the Lower 911, Soul Rebels Brass Band and Morning 40 Federation are on the bill. From deep within Cajun country, the Grammy-nominated Lost Bayou Ramblers make their Voodoo debut as well.

Instead of making a comprehensive announcement in late June, as in previous years, The Voodoo Experience has rolled out this year’s lineup day by day on its website, Facebook page and Twitter account, leaving the door open for some last-minute additions.

Visit thevoodooexperience.com for updates, tickets and details.