by Ezabelle Janssen, Staff Writer

BAY ST. LOUIS (GG) — There is a house in Bay St. Louis, they call 100 Men Hall. And it’s been brewin’ many a voyeur joy.

On Saturday, April 19th, 100 Men Hall beat the bunny, hosting the annual, jumpin,’ Swamp Grass Get Down, with a special twist, honoring the 15th anniversary of the Louisiana T-Bois music festival.

The event showcased why the South is a prominent music hub, with many local roots and blues musicians.

But why T-Bois? Beginning as an intimate crawfish boil, it has continued to grow into what it is today: a “Cajun Burning Man,” known for its great Southern music and the traditional igniting of large-scale sculptures. Since 2009, “Alligator,” Mike Falgout has organized and nurtured the festival, and found himself partaking in our local event.

The Swamp Grass Get Down got everyone on the dance floor, whether it be grass or linoleum. Bandleader Aaron Wilkinson of the Honey Island Swamp Band, performing at Swamp Grass for the second time, explained the difference, as a performer, between the two areas of the venue.

“Outside, obviously the weather can be a problem, people are a little less focused, they’re doing their own thing, but that’s cool too. So your approach is a little different; you’re more just trying to set a vibe and everybody’s enjoying the weather, so you’re kind of plugging into that energy. Whereas when you’re inside, it’s very focused on you and it’s a little more of an intimate performance. So, like, you have to keep your volume at an appropriate level and just provide a more intimate experience.”

Their performance certainly was a vibe! He continued to highlight his band’s experience on the outside stage this year, “I was really excited to play out here. Mike does such a good job with everything, and we have a history, too. We’ve played his festival, the Tbois fest, back in the day, just like all these other bands have. So, I knew he was going to set us up in a good situation. I didn’t really put it together until we got on the stage, ‘okay this is sunset, the sun’s going down, weather’s getting really nice, it’s really pretty, everybody’s been here for a while, they’re lubricated, fired-up,’ it was beautiful, perfect.”

The Honey Island Swamp Band truly gave an unforgettable performance.  To match the accelerando, during their song “On Fire,” two fire dancers performed in front of the stage. The New Orleans roots band brought the heat!

A perfect lineup that captivated the audience from start to finish.

DJ Doug Funnie skipped and scratched while honoring that timeless Louisiana groove, appealing to both young and old audiences.  Dave Jordan & The Nia displayed their Southern roots through the emotional tracks, country twang, and rockin’ instrumentals.

Nonc Nu & Da Wild Matous came from “Down Da Bayou,” as their song states, using traditional Cajun instruments such as a washboard and accordion. Their music is a welcome sign to New Orleans, letting you know “where the flounders at,” and that the “Saints won the Superbowl, only God knows.”

Alvin Youngblood Hart’s Muscle Theory, a Mississippian, has been praised by Bob Dylan, and we can see why!

The only blues around were those sung by Hart, which captivated the cochlea.

The night ended as T-Bois does, with the grand finale featuring the musical stylings of Anders Osborne, accompanied by the esteemed saxophonist Brad Walker. The two became an electric pair, shaking the hall.  The sax had a warm, smoky tone that melted into the guitar’s rhythm, and the vocals were rich and full, packed with a wealth of emotion. Providing an intimate and addictive vibe.

Truly a masterclass of South Mississippi’s musical heritage. Surprise! Aaron Wilkerson jumped on stage for an impromptu harmonica performance. 

Photos by Ezabelle Janssen/The Gazebo Gazette.