It has 28 shows in 27 days with 26 people and one 1992 Bluebird bus that runs on vegetable oil.
It is the F Yeah Fest, which made its sole Louisiana stop at the Spanish Moon on Wednesday.
Comedians Nick Flanagan, Josh Fadem and bands Death Set, Matt and Kim and Team Robespierre will perform. Space 1026, an art collective from Philadelphia, Campaign for Burma and Rock the Vote will also tour.
The festival, started by Sean Carlson five years ago in Los Angeles, is an event which brings together comedians, artists and musicians.
“It was horrible the first time it was put on,” Carlson said. “But my friends talked me into doing it again, and the next year it sold out.”
The festival continued for the next four years. This is the first year for the event to go on tour.
“It became my dream to bring it on the road,” Carlson said.
Shortly before beginning the tour, Carlson purchased the baby blue bus from a Mormon church and converted it to run on vegetable oil. It was driven from Los Angeles to New York City to pick up the 26 passengers.
“Right before we left on tour we found out about the bus,” said Mike House, bassist for Team Robespierre. “We were a little apprehensive at first.”
Because of the bus’ age, band members and comedians alike were worried about mechanical problems. No issues arose – until Sunday.
“We have a U-Haul hitched to the back of the bus,” House said. “We were backing out of this steep driveway, and the trailer hitch got stuck on the concrete. The front wheels of the bus were off the ground.”
House said this was at 6 a.m. before a 12-hour ride.
After everyone managed to get the bus “unstuck,” the engine wouldn’t start.
“We thought we blew our transmission and needed a new one. But some friendly motorists stopped to help us, and they literally touched the engine and it turned on,” House said. “They were our heroes. Miraculously, we made it to the next show on time.”
Then comes the issue of fuel.
“The bus runs on veggie grease,” Carlson said.
A group called the “Greasers” scout out restaurants and find out where the good grease is.
“Then we stick a pump into the dumpster and pump the oil into the fuel tank,” House said.
Everyone on the tour has a job to do, including selling merchandise and cleaning the bus.
“There are people who find us a place to stay at night. We have a cook who makes really good barbecue, and people who deal with mechanical stuff,” House said.
House said the only thing missing is a tour manager.
“No one really wants it because it’s a big job, but I think we’re going to pick someone tonight,” he said.
Carlson, who had the original idea, is not the manager.
“I’m just the organizer!” Carlson said. “If anything, I’d be the uncle of tour because I can get away with stuff and acting like an idiot.”
Carlson picked the bands according to his taste.
“I’d say Death Set is like a McFlurry with hot sauce,” Carlson said. “Everyone has their own sound.”
With so many people in a small space for long periods of time, strong connections will be made.
“We’ve become a unit,” House said. “Everyone is really cool. Traveling with these people is just amazing. You have to connect with people, or you’ll just go crazy.”
While most learning has been from trial and error, Carlson admits there has been some problems.
“But it’s great,” Carlson said. “We’re all kids who like to have Fun on this never-ending field trip.”
The tour will end in Baltimore, with a conclusion in Los Angeles for the annual F Yeah Festival.