Festival International de Louisiane has released its 2019 performance lineup. This year’s artists will include performers like Dobet Gnahoré (Ivory Coast), Moonlight Benjamin (Haiti), and the United States’ very own master of funk pedal steel: Robert Randolph & the Family Band.
The Festival’s 33rd-year will feature a lineup of international performers representing 24 different countries and regions, combining new artists with returning favorites.
New to the festival this year are El Septeto Santiaguero, of Cuba, and Doctor Nativo, of Guatemala, both of which are known to get crowds moving with their high-energy Latin rhythms. New Brunswick’s Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire will return to this year’s festival.
Festival International says they are focused on bringing French-speaking musicians to the festival each year to share their language and cultures with Lafayette. Festivalgoers will experience artist performances from francophone countries like Haiti (Moonlight Benjamin and Boukman Eksperyans), Niger (Mdou Moctar) and France (Bagad Plougastell and Akalé Wubé).
The festival will feature many Louisiana artists including Grammy Award winners, blues legends and rising stars.
The Blue Monday Allstars’ Living Legends Tribute will bring the talent of Carol Fran, Henry Gray and Lil’ Buck Sinegal onto one stage. Joining them will be special guests: Smokehouse Porter & Miss Mamie; Marc Broussard; Lee Allen Zeno; Steve Adams; Tony Goulas; Kent August; Ron Eades and much more.
Other local favorites performing during Festival include Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band, Lane Mack & The Balladeers and Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. New Orleans Grammy Award nominees Cha Wa, and 2017 NPR Tiny Desk Concert Winner Tank & the Bangas will also perform.
More information on the full schedule, special exhibits, and events will be released soon. The Full Lineup and video can be found online.
