Bayou Rockfest hits Cut Off

Sound waves from guitars fill the air. Amplifiers so loud they make the bayou ripple.

Thirty-four hours of music jam-packed into a single weekend

And all the hot boudin and jambalaya you can eat.

Sounds like the Bayou Rockfest Aug. 13-15 at the Cut Off Youth Center makes for a rockin’ good time.

Presented by Lil Ebbi Entertainment, the event headlines local band DNA and Hydrovibe featuring local singer Heather St. Marie on Saturday night.

“Come support your local and statewide musicians,” show director Toby Hebert said. “These guys work very hard to do what they do, and I think people should come out and see what they can do.”

Surrounding the main-event acts are 38 bands – many of which are local as well – competing in a Battle of the Bands.

“I have been checking out all of these bands on the Internet. Every one is different,” Hebert said. “They have different varieties from heavy metal to screamers to classic rock. I love all types of music, so every one of them is really good.”

The first foot pedal gets kicked at 5:50 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, with music raging until 1:30 a.m. The competition continues Saturday, Aug. 14, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., and Sunday, Aug. 15, 10:40 a.m. to 8:20 p.m.

“It’s going to be a tough contest,” Hebert said. “I tell bands, ‘If you come in and you win, congratulations. But if you don’t win, you gave it your all. The main thing is to come out and enjoy yourself.'”

Among the bands competing for the $2,000 first prize are Touching the Absolute, 24 Miles, Zinc, Sugar Cane Ninja, The Stranger, Unlimited and The Sound of Gravity.

Each band is given 40 minutes to showcase its talents. The bands can play originals or covers.

Although Hebert said he has already reached the show’s limit of 38 bands, he still urges bands to sign up in case current bands drop out. He’s also looking to create a database of bands to keep in mind for future shows.

There is no entry fee for bands; however, each member of the group must sell five tickets to the show.

Six judges score the competition with the winner taking home a $2,000 cash prize.

“They’re judging anything from band interaction, performance and total package. If I paid $50 to go watch you in concert, did you give me everything you had, and are you worth my $50 that I worked hard for?” he asked.

The Bayou Rockfest is more than just another band-athon.

Hebert said 10 vendors are attending. And there’ll be bounce houses, interactive games, laser tag, a bungee jump, bike and car show, and the COYC’s swimming pool is open.

Tickets are $15 for the entire weekend, and children 12-and-under get in free.

“It’ll be a festival,” said Hebert. “I think there’s going to be some very good performances here, and it’s an all-age show, so you’ll be able to bring your children and have a good time.”

But the most important portion of the show has nothing to do with music.

Hebert is setting up an auction with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to oil spill relief efforts.

“We want to get a lot of people to donate because we want to give a lot of money for the oil spill relief,” the organizer said.

Donations for the auction are still welcomed, and Hebert has already received some pretty valuable memorabilia.

“We have some items donated by some pretty big name acts – people that will be in the Hall of Fame one day,” he said.

Items are auctioned throughout the event, but Hebert said the biggest items come up for auction before the headliners play Saturday night.

If anyone would like to donate an item, register a band or to simply get more information about the event, contact Hebert at (985) 677-1003.