By: Hunter Odom
Fall is one of my favorite seasons in Baton Rouge. With football in the air, leaves changing, and temperatures soon to be in decline, now is the time to be outside marinating in this fantastic weather. One way to do so is to head downtown on Friday evenings and enjoy the “Live After 5” concert series. From 5- 8pm at Repentance Park (on the riverside of City Hall next to the Old State Capitol), Live After 5 offers free live music and access to several food and beer vendors.
Located in the heart of downtown, this series is continuously a popular spot for the entire Baton Rouge community. On any given Friday, one can find thousands of Baton Rouge’s young, old, rich, poor, and all other walks of life unwinding together to celebrate the weekend. With the stage facing City Hall, the crowd faces the west, making it a perfect venue to catch the sunset over the Mighty Mississippi while hearing the music resonate off the hallowed walls of Louisiana’s Old State Capitol. While the featured band performs, vendors at Galvez Plaza offer everything from fried food to cold beer that make for a great pregame for the night’s GIF.
Produced by the Downtown Business Association, the original goal of “Live After 5” was to encourage people to explore downtown and needless to say it has succeeded. Every year, the event becomes more popular with larger crowds and more sponsors. I have gotten a chance to experience this concert several times and it has yet to disappoint.
This Friday, the concert series features Bag of Donuts, a New Orleans-based party cover band that has dubbed their style “superpop.” Dressed in costumes you’d have to see to believe, this quartet has been covering popular songs for over twenty years and, like fine wine, they get better with age. Expect to hear popular songs from all musical eras from this festive group. My personal favorite would have to be their rendition of KISS’s “I Wanna Rock n’ Roll All Night.” To quote the band: “It’s like Mardi Gras all year long.”
If superpop isn’t really your style, no need to worry because this event attracts bands of all different genres (see next page for lineup). In the past, featured bands have included: The Benjy Davis Project, Flow Tribe, The Elements and many more. No matter who is playing, “Live After 5” is a great change-of-pace activity that is unique to Baton Rouge and something everyone should experience during their time here at PMH. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a free event. Remember to bring your blankets and folding chairs but leave your ice chests, pets, and tents at home. See you Friday!
GEAUX TIGERS!
Attached is the band schedule/lineup for “Live After 5:00” in September 2016.
September 16: BAG OF DONUTS, Party Cover
September 23: MICHAEL FOSTER PROJECT, Jazz, Funk, R&B, Hip-Hop
September 30: KENNY NEAL, Blues
October 7: RYAN FORET & FORET TRADITION, Swamp Pop
October 14: TRAVIS MATTE & THE KINGPINS, Zydeco/Cajun
October 21: DAVID ST. ROMAIN, Country
October 28: New Orleans Karma (Fifolet Halloween Festival), Party Cover