NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Two major names in music are coming together Saturday, January 16th at 4 p.m. to lead a second line through New Orleans’ French Quarter, honoring the late David Bowie.
Arcade Fire frontman Win Butler and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band have invited the public to join the parade, running from the jazz hall (726 St. Peter St.) to the Mississippi River and back. They’re asking participants to dress in Bowie-inspired attire or “something more strange.”
Butler appears to be a big fan of New Orleans. He and the band have performed numerous times at Jazz Fest, leading a second line through the crowd. He also surprised the audience at the Preservation Hall’s “Midnight Preserves” concert series, leading a rendition of the Mardi Gras classic, “Iko Iko.”
Arcade Fire and Bowie worked together in the later years of his life. They performed Arcade Fire’s hit “Wake Up” during a concert in 2005. Bowie later appeared on the band’s 2013 album, “Reflector.”
Bowie passed away from cancer this week at the age of 69. The Facebook event page for the parade offers a somber quote from Bowie himself.“
The truth is of course is that there is no journey. We are arriving and departing all at the same time.”
Earlier this week on Facebook, the band wrote him a message.
“David Bowie was one of the band’s earliest supporters and champions. He not only created the world that made it possible for our band to exist, he welcomed us into it with grace and warmth. We will take to the grave the moments we shared; talking, playing music and collaborating as some of the most profound and memorable moments of our lives. A true artist even in his passing, the world is more bright and mysterious because of him, and we will continue to shout prayers into the atmosphere he created.”
The Route:
Departing from Preservation Hall on St. Peter to Royal
RIGHT on Royal to Toulouse
LEFT on Toulouse to the river
STOP for (10) ten minutes
continue along the river to St. Louis
RIGHT on to St. Louis
RIGHT on Chartres
LEFT on Toulouse to One Eyed Jacks
Our Anne Cutler will be at the second line and hopes to see you too! For more music updates, follow her on Twitter @AnneCutler.