The Festival

What kind of festival is Southern Gothic?

Southern Gothic Festival is an annual festival that highlights all aspects of Gothic and Industrial kulture. As this is our second year, we are focusing on live music, djing and performance acts.

Where are the events?

All the events for Southern Gothic are in and around the downtown area, some in the French Quarter, some outside of it. Everything is close enough to be walking distance, or a less than ten dollar cab ride.

When do the events run?

We will be running everything from sundown till dawn, Thursday through Saturday. Sunday we'll probably call it a day a bit earlier.

Who's running this circus?

Southern Gothic Festival is run by DJ Vendetta and Corrosion Productions, with the grand assistance and support from many of members the local Goth Industrial scene.

Is this an all ages event?

Louisiana law states that you have to be twenty-one to drink, but only over eighteen to attend. So if you're in that age bracket, come on down, but don't be a jerk and buy booze. Help us stay out of jail!

Are there day events?

There are no day activities included in the ticket price, however we will be arranging good rates on day activities and letting you know on this web site.

Will there be merchant room?

Yes!  We are offering a small merchant area, which we hope to expand year by year.  Look forward to tattoos, local artisans and a photobooth, amongst others (we're really psyched about the photo booth).

I have a band! Can we get in on this action?

Southern Gothic does most of its band bookings in the winter, so try us then.  We don't care if you're signed, we just care if you rock.

What kind of a bug is that on your logo?

The insect featured in our logo is the Cicada. This weird breed of locust lives here in the South, and swarms every seven years. The rest of the time they hide in the roots of trees, dreaming. The Southern Gothic organizers think the cicada is the perfect symbol for cyclical renewal, an American scarab, if you will. And we sure as hell weren't going to use an alligator on the t-shirt!

Why does Southern Gothic matter?

New Orleans has stood as a spiritual capital for Gothic Industrial kulture for decades. Between the city's reputation for wild living and loose morals, it's innate exoticism and the dark literary works of Anne Rice and Poppy Z. Brite, New Orleans has been heralded as a safe haven for all who wear black. She is a city weird enough, free enough, and wild enough to provide a suitable backdrop to our dark and passionate lives. And then in 2005, there was a hurricane. The scene population here was cut by seventy-five per cent, the economy was devastated and huge swathes of the city were rendered uninhabitable for years.

The Southern Gothic Festival is the accumulation of many people's effort since then to reclaim this city as the Gothic homeland which it has been for so long for us. What we are trying to do is rebuild the scene and bring many of you back to visit this place, and see that it is yours. Hurting and broken or not, New Orleans belongs to us. She gets us. Come down, celebrate our renewal with us, be part of our recovery. New Orleans needs Goth, just like Goth needs New Orleans.

New Orleans

Is New Orleans still wrecked from Hurricane Katrina?

Most of the really bad damage from the levee breaches of 2005 have been at least bulldozed if not repaired. The general decay you will see down here is just what New Orleans looks like.

What about the oil spill?

Although our seafood industry has not as yet recovered, we are not affected by the oil spill anymore.  Wearing an 'I heart BP' shirt is still a great way to get into a bar fight, though.

What about the Mississippi flooding?

Nope.  We're cool on that front.

Will it be hot?

Oh yeah. Big time.

But, um, hot bad!

We know Goth and hot isn't the world's greatest combination, but all the venues and hotel will be beautifully air-conditioned. Summer here is like winter in the north, and everything is designed to deal with it except the outside.

We do recommend wearing light-weight clothing, water proof make-up where appropriate and lots and lots of sunscreen. Nothing looks sillier than a corset with a farmer's tan (we found that out the hard way.)

Is it true you can walk around with your cocktail?

It sure is!  Be aware it is unlawful to consume alcoholic beverages from glass or metal containers on the street.  Please ask for a 'go cup' and transfer your drink before leaving a bar.

When do the bars close?

They don't. New Orleans has no curfew, and many bars run twenty-four hours a day.

Is Voodoo really still practiced?

Indeed, it is. Pockets of authentic voodoo, which has been practiced here since New Orleans' founding, can be found in neighborhoods like the Treme and the lower Ninth ward. The French Quarter features several shops and museums about Voodoo.

Isn't New Orleans high in crime?

We're not going to lie. New Orleans is rated as one of the most dangerous cities in America. The per-capita levels for murder, violent crime and car burglary are extremely high.

However, if you aren't out looking for trouble, you won't find it. Use your head, and you will be fine. Always lock your vehicles. Men are advised to keep their wallets in their front pockets, and women to keep an eyes on their handbags. And if anyone says they can guess 'where you got your shoes', the answer is 'On my feet'.

It is still highly recommended that if you feel unsure of a situation, stay in a group or take a cab. Your best weapon of self defense is your common sense.

What neighborhoods are safe at night?

The French Quarter, the CBD and Uptown are all generally considered as safe. All Southern Gothic events are in police patrolled areas and will have security to keep you from harm.