Voodoo Fest 2008: Artists get political

Well kids, I'm back from a crazy lil' weekend in New Orleans, the site of the annual Voodoofest. In it's tenth year the three-day festival hosted some of the biggest acts in music, that ranged from chart toppers Lil' Wayne and Panic At The Disco to alternative giants Stone Temple Pilots and Nine Inch Nails.

Joss Stone hits the stage at the 10th Annual Voodoo Fest in New Orleans, L.A. (Jasper McNichols, WPIX / October 24, 2008)

With a historical election looming, talking politics became the ongoing theme for just about every act that hit the stage. Read how Voodoo artists got their politics on after the jump.

Neo soul singer Joss Stone, who rocked the house on Friday encouraged concert goers to vote while producer/hip hop artist extraordinaire Wyclef Jean told the crowd Barack Obama needs to be the next president. At one point Wyclef even shouted "If you support Obama throw dem hands in the air." In turn, many threw their hands in the air and waved them around violently - as if they didn't care.

On a side note: Wyclef's set was unbelievable from start to finish. But I'll get to that in a bit.

It's no secret Louisiana is a conservative-leaning state, having voted republican in the past two presidential elections. This, as recent polls suggest John McCain will take the state come election day.

Personally, I thought It was a bold move for many of the artists to share their political views with the crowd, considering the power of the 'boo' and the perennial favorite 'you suck.'

During Wyclef's set, he was brutal with McCain lashing out at the Arizona senator, prompting many frustrated concert goers to just walk away in protest. When you see stuff like that, it really serves as a testament as to how divided Americans are, if they're going to let a few political statements put a damper on their day.

Other artists took the subtle approach, making references to the election and then moving on. Shortly after his first song, Lil' Wayne informed the audience he was registered to vote. That's as political as it got with Weezy.

The subtle but effective political approach taken by Trent Reznor of NIN during their performance of "The Hand That Feeds." (Andrew Ramos, WPIX / October 25, 2008)

But then Saturday's headliners, Nine Inch Nails took it a step further with a very clever visual. During their performance of "The Hand That Feeds" a giant headshot of President Bush popped up in a plasma that joined Trent Reznor on stage. As the song progressed, George W. morphed into Republican presidential candidate John McCain. It was genius because that was just it. No rant, no Obama this, McCain that, just a simple visual that said plenty. Loved it! (If you were at the show and didn't notice the subtle morph you are not alone. It was only brought to my attention when a friend yelled out: Dude, it's turning into McCain!)

Politics aside, it was an awesome show that was totally worth the panic attacks I suffered on the three-hour plane ride over. Now that was not fun. Check out some of the pics I snapped during the weekend.

Joss Stone... can she look more lovely? (Andrew Ramos, WPIX / October 24, 2008)

As the crowd waited for Lil' Wayne to hit the stage, a mysterious smog appeared over the park. I think it was just one of those hazy days. Yeah, exactly. It was a hazy day. That's what it was. It was an unbe-weed-able hazy day. (Andrew Ramos, WPIX / October 25, 2008)

The awesome Wyclef Jean spit some freestyle and knowledge during his set, even plucking concert goers from the crowd onto the stage. (Andrew Ramos, WPIX / October 25, 2008)

Lil' Wayne prays to the God Almighty during his set, asking for guidance, love, and of course someone to lick the wrapper. (Andrew Ramos, WPIX / October 25, 2008)