Festival International de Louisiane Announces 2023 Lineup
Lafayette, LA – Festival International de Louisiane presented by LUS Fiber has released its 2023 performance lineup. The 37th Annual Festival International lineup features performers from diverse musical genres around the globe, combining new artists with some returning Fest favorites.
The eclectic lineup features five-time GRAMMY Award winner Angélique Kidjo of Benin, who will return to the stages this spring to “wow” audiences with her striking voice and powerful messages that have taken her to the very top of the international music scene. Representing South Korea is ADG7 (aka Ak Dan Gwang Chil). This nine-piece ensemble draws equal inspiration from newly reclaimed Korean folk styles of gut and minyo and the contemporary Eurocentric stylings of modern K-Pop for music for a mix that will surprise you with its raucous, danceable energy.
In celebration of Lafayette’s Bicentennial year, Festival International, LCVC and Lafayette Parish Bicentennial are elated to present Lauren Daigle at the Opening Ceremonies for Festival 2023. These organizations are proud to highlight and honor the talent of this Louisiana native, as she has broken geographic and musical boundaries, revealing Daigle as one of the most impressive vocalists of our time.
“Our team is so excited for Festival to get here in April to share this incredible, diverse music lineup with our community,” said Programming Director of 24 years, Lisa Stafford. “There is truly something for everyone — from the traditional music of Bassekou Kouyate, to metropolitan music of Tank & the Bangas, our Saturday headliner at Scène LUS Internationale.
“With this being Lafayette’s big Bicentennial year,” Stafford continued, “it is a great time to celebrate and honor our culture and the music that Louisiana has shared with the world. We are so proud of our local talent, we’re thankful that LCVC and Lafayette Parish Bicentennial are working with us, and we’re excited to experience cultures of the world together again at Festival 2023.”
As always, Festival International emphasizes bringing in Francophone musicians to share diverse language and culture with audiences. Internationally acclaimed French sensation Dub Inc, known for blending reggae and dancehall music with lyrics in French, English and Kabyl (an Algerian language) are a standout act for the festival this year. Officials anticipate this group will “take crowds to the next level” as they are known to do.
Other Francophone acts to catch include the fabulous Lisa Leblanc (New Brunswick), RAM (Haiti), Les Hays Babies (New Brunswick), San Salvador (France) and Lafayette groups Cedric Watson & Bijou Créole and Bonsoir, Catin.
Festival International is known for sharing the sounds of traditional African music with Lafayette audiences. Joining the lineup is Bassekou Kouyate, a true master of the ngoni, which is an ancient and distant ancestor to the banjo that is found throughout West Africa. Another act that cannot be missed is Sona Jobarteh, whose musical work stands on the mighty shoulders of The West African Griot Tradition; she is a living archive of the Gambian people.
Also coming in strong this year is an incredible lineup of Latino acts, from both near and far. La Tribu de Abrante is a 12-piece orchestra from Puerto Rico that bring traditional bomba and plena melodies, along with salsa, Latin jazz, funk, reggaeton, and urban pop to get crowds moving. Las Cafeteras have taken the music scene by storm, remixing roots music to create a sonic explosion of Afro-Mexican rhythms, electronic beats and powerful rhymes. Local “Mambo Queen of the South”, Malentina, and her seven-piece band promise a dazzling performance with influences from her life in Puerto Rico and here in Lafayette.
The full schedule will be released in March. Stay tuned for special events, performances, special exhibits, cirque de la rue [street animation], poetry, art exhibits and more. The Full Lineup and video can be found online at www.festivalinternational.org
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