Memorial Day Music Festival at Lulu’s in Mobile, AL

Band Bonanza Happening At The Gulf Shores Bar Of Jimmy Buffett’s Sister

A few days after Jimmy Buffett opened his new Margaritaville restaurant bar and casino in Biloxi, his sister is hosting another party on the Gulf Coast.

Lulu’s, in Gulf Shores, AL, is holding what it calls “LuLuPalooza” on Memorial Day Weekend. It’s a two-day band bonanza fearing a series of New Orleans-style bands on May 26-27.  There are three bands each day, starting at 4 p.m., and going until about 10 p.m.

And get this – it’s all free! (Lulu’s believes “live music is always our gift to you, and our way of celebrating and supporting area musicians”).

Lulu’s is the bar owned by Buffett’s sister. The Buffetts are from Mobile and while the brother left to eventually gain international fame, the sister stayed closer to home. It’s located on the north side of the Intracoastal Waterway at Ala. 59.

Since the bar is right on the beach, people don’t even have to go into it; they can just sit on the sand and listen. But since there’s great music and a bar right there, why would you not go in and have drinks!?

In addition to the music, there’s an artist painting on a glass canvas, capturing the mood as it happens. If you’ve never seen this, it’s really cool. The artist is Randy “Frenchy” Frechette

Here’s a rundown of the acts, with commentary from Lawrence F. Specker of the Mobile Press-Register:

Saturday:

Honey Island Swamp Band, 4 p.m. — Formed after Hurricane Katrina, this New Orleans-based group has built a regional following thanks to music that combines funky roots with an eclectic mix of contemporary influences.

Eric Lindell, 6:15 p.m. — This California guitarist is sometimes pigeonholed as a bluesman, but his music is rich with country and folk influences.

The Lee Boys, 8:30 p.m.— Leading practitioners of the “sacred steel” tradition popularized by Robert Randolph. Developed primarily in House of God Churches, it’s a genre in which the pedal steel guitar is used as the cornerstone of a high-energy blend founded on gospel and R&B.

Sunday

Dread Clampitt, 4 p.m. — This group describes its sound as “a tasty sonic gumbo of influences ranging from bluegrass, rock & roll, blues, jazz and Louisiana Bayou funk complete with three part harmonies and pinch of Southern humor thrown in for good measure.”

Bonerama, 6:15 p.m. — If you’ve ever heard yourself say, “Man, that rock band is really incredibly funky, but they need two or three more trombones to put it over the top,” this is the band you were thinking of. For samples visit www.boneramamusic.com.

Roddie Romero & the Hub City All Stars, 8:30 p.m. — Butler said Cajun and Creole music star Romero has some special history at LuLu’s: In 2010 he opened a massive Gulf Shores beach concert for Jimmy Buffett (whose sister, Lucy Buffett, owns LuLu’s) and also played a memorable show at LuLu’s.