Fête du Void

Soundcheck by Sam Pav

Fête du Void is one of the most unique and enriching experiences among Louisiana festivals. Nestled in the heart of Oakdale, this annual gathering is a two-day camping, music, arts and wellness festival filled with electrifying performances from start to finish.

Held the first weekend in October, Fête du Void features a diverse lineup of stellar musicians and artists while offering attendees infinite ways to get involved. Thoughtfully curated, this festival has something for everyone.

Fête du Void is more than a festival; it’s an experience that transforms you. Immersive, exhilarating and soul-expanding, this event, created by The Iceman Special, is an adventurous escape into an alternate reality, where entrancing sights and sounds reverberate through your senses like luminescent waves. Despite the magic and the madness, Fête du Void remains grounded as a nonprofit and collective movement that sustains Louisiana music, history, and culture.

The Iceman Special

Who is The Iceman Special, and what exactly is Fête du Void? The Iceman Special is a swamp funk rock band with Louisiana roots that run deep. Comprised of brothers Charlie and Will Murry, Hunter Romero and Steve Staples, the band created Fête du Void with the intention of expanding their live shows into a multidimensional experience. 

This led to the formation of the Void; an expansive, purposeful space where musicians, artists and individuals can come together as a collective. Originally the acronym “Vision of Infinite Dimensions,” Fête du Void, or “The Void,” is a sphere of infinite creative potential beyond time and space.

Fête du Void is a vibrant canvas attendees can fully immerse themselves in while simultaneously contributing their unique expression. It’s an unparalleled celebration of Louisiana’s cultural spirit, embodying ideals of community, freedom of expression, growth and togetherness.

Fête du Void made its debut in 2016 at a hunting camp in Iowa, where friends of the Iceman Special gathered for a night of camping, festivities and live performances. After an unforgettable night of bringing the house down (literally — the roof almost collapsed during a Quadroholics performance) The Iceman Special knew Fête du Void needed a new location for the following year.

In 2017 and 2018, Fête du Void was held on an ostrich farm in Sulphur. Though the festival wasn’t yet open to the public, the farm provided more space to feature additional musicians, artists and vendors, thus expanding the Void.

In 2019, to support further growth, the festival moved again to Cypress Creek. This was the festival’s first big year, extending from a one-day event to two days and nights. Unfortunately, bad weather at Cypress Creek prompted a last-minute evacuation, but in hindsight, the rain delivered a surprising twist of fate.

As an emergency Plan B, all attendees quickly relocated to The Hardwood Mill in Oakdale, a vast, historic property spanning several miles. Founded by the Murry brothers’ great-grandfather in the early 1900s, The Hardwood Mill was the first lumber mill in Central Louisiana. It once employed over 1,000 people, playing a crucial role in the development of Oakdale. Over the years, the mill has also served as a mechanic garage and, more recently, as The Hardwood Mill Restaurant, owned by the brothers’ parents, Bill and Susan Murry.

As fate would have it, Plan B became Plan A, and The Hardwood Mill has been the home of Fête du Void since 2019. Over 100 years later, The Hardwood Mill is still making history for bringing people together, this time for a Louisiana cultural revolution. When The Iceman Special aren’t on tour, they work year-round to restore the expansive property, still uncovering and reclaiming historical pieces to this day.

Into The Void  

The eighth annual Fête du Void kicks off with a pre-party on Thursday, Oct. 3, followed by the actual festival on Friday, concluding with a closing ceremony late Saturday night. Unlike other festivals, you can bring your own food, drinks, and anything else you’d like (within festival rules) to customize your Void experience. Attendees can deck out campsites however they wish, so you can kick back and feel at home for the weekend. It’s important to note that although The Void transcends time and space, Louisiana weather can still be unpredictable, so be prepared for all conditions. Pack accordingly, and don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes and an open mind.

The Void has over 10 different areas where attendees can catch live music, performance art and other happenings. The main stages for music are The Warehouse, a dynamic space housing a skating rink, a full arcade, and art classes; Avon’s, an illuminated stage in the woods (paying tribute to historic Oakdale’s Avon’s Drive-In); El Barrio (The Neighborhood), which was once the mechanic’s garage; The Skidder, a stage on an actual skidder (an old logging machine); Tootie Town, a late-night stage that transforms into a small village; and The Ruins, a recently reclaimed, ancient area that was once a railroad bridge. There’s also Uncle Tiki’s, a full-service bar in the woods where you can enjoy a drink and catch a comedy show.

While traversing The Void, you’re enveloped in a rich tapestry of sights and sounds that nourish the soul and senses. You’ll notice a diverse crowd, many adorned in vibrant costumes and wearing radiant smiles. Good vibes abound.

Aside from music, you can peruse Vendor Row, where you’ll discover a variety of small businesses, artisans, chefs, artists and other independent creatives, all skilled in their craft. As you wander the historic grounds, you’ll also encounter vivid art installations, live paintings, art cars and performance art. If you want to explore The Void on wheels, you can rent a bike from Big Tall Al Small’s Bike Mall or pack your skates for the skating rink in The Warehouse.

The center of Fête du Void is the Zen Den, a restorative space where attendees can unwind and go within. The Zen Den offers numerous healing workshops, yoga sessions and other wellness activities, and features The Zen-Zebo, a stage for solo artist performances.

You can find a variety of activities and interactive classes throughout Fête du Void, such as sound baths, ecstatic dance, pilates, improv song circles, cooking demos, puppet-making, tea parties, writing workshops, and more. The Void also hosts an ice cream social, a lofi hip hop freestyle session paired with free ice cream, and a late-night spelling bee that’s always a hit.

Fête du Void is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting over six charities, including Sky High for Kids, which supports children undergoing cancer treatment, and 232-Help, a local organization that provides mental health advocacy and resources for those in need.

After the festival ends in October, Fête du Void kicks off their annual toy drive in partnership with the Romero Family to support Sky High for Kids and other children’s hospitals. Drop-off locations are available in Lake Charles, Oakdale, Lafayette and New Orleans.

Fête du Void also hosts Krampus, an annual pre-Christmas fundraising event at The Hardwood Mill. Krampus concludes the toy drive with a gumbo cook-off; live music; a silent auction; and a week-long Allen Parish clean-up along the Calcasieu River, Kisatchie Forest and surrounding areas.

Krewe de Void, or The Krewe, is another important aspect of Fête du Void; it’s a team of like-minded individuals connected through The Iceman Special and the festival. The Krewe helps The Void’s mission by volunteering at events and supporting Louisiana’s music scene year-round. The Iceman Special also hosts Carnivoid, the Krewe’s Mardi Gras ball held annually in New Orleans. Through these causes and state-wide events, the essence and impact of Fête du Void reaches far beyond The Hardwood Mill.

Fête du Void is a making an impact not only as a festival and nonprofit but as a movement that amplifies and preserves Louisiana culture for years to come. Founded on the intention that individuals can unite as a collective to share music, art, healing and purpose, Fête du Void is an immersive experience that offers a profound discovery of regional music and culture while nourishing you with gratitude for life.

If you’re passionate about music, culture, art or wellness, Fête du Void is your festival. It’s a Louisiana cultural revolution in your backyard.

Fête du Void is October 3 to 5, featuring The Iceman Special, Swamp Dogg, Maggie Koerner, Toubab Krewe, Benny Bloom & The Late Bloomers, Trap Jazz, La Reezy, New Translations, Dr. Romance, Mike Broussard & Nu’Edition Zydeko, DJ Digital, Hollyrock, The Quickening, Zach Ed-wards, The Quadroholics, and many more. For tickets and more information, visit feteduvoid.com.