Honey Island Swamp Band Celebrates 20 Years with Anniversary Tour

New Orleans-based roots band brings their eclectic sound to Avon Theater

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:00am

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The Honey Island Swamp Band, a thrilling and eclectic roots music group formed in San Francisco after Hurricane Katrina, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a special tour. The band, known for blending country, soul, funk, and blues influences into a distinctly New Orleanian sound, will be performing at the Avon Theater, bringing their latest album "Custom Deluxe" to life on stage.

Why it matters

The Honey Island Swamp Band has become a fixture in the New Orleans music scene, evolving their sound over the past two decades to embody contemporary roots music. Their 20th anniversary tour is a milestone for the band and an opportunity for fans to experience their unique blend of genres that has earned them critical acclaim.

The details

Formed in 2005 after the band members were displaced from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina, the Honey Island Swamp Band has since relocated back to their hometown. Their latest album "Custom Deluxe" showcases the band's ability to render song structures elastic and prioritize the song itself, with tracks like the kinetic "High River Rag," the authoritative "Wildfire," and the blues-rocking "Sugar For Sugar." The band's modus operandi is to create melody-driven, vocal-driven, and lyric-driven music that sounds both new and familiar.

  • The Honey Island Swamp Band formed in San Francisco in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina.
  • The band has since relocated back to New Orleans.
  • The band is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a special tour.

The players

Honey Island Swamp Band

A thrilling and eclectic roots music group that blends country, soul, funk, and blues influences into a distinctly New Orleanian sound.

Aaron Wilkinson

The bandleader and multi-instrumentalist of the Honey Island Swamp Band.

Lee Yankee

The guitarist and vocalist of the Honey Island Swamp Band.

Sam Price

The bassist of the Honey Island Swamp Band.

Chris Spies

The keyboardist of the Honey Island Swamp Band.

Garland Paul

The drummer and vocalist of the Honey Island Swamp Band.

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What they’re saying

“We're definitely melody-driven, vocal-driven, lyric-driven. We like something that's new, yet sounds like it could have been a hit that you didn't know about.”

— Aaron Wilkinson, Bandleader and multi-instrumentalist

What’s next

The Honey Island Swamp Band will continue their 20th anniversary tour with upcoming performances in New Orleans and other cities across the South.

The takeaway

The Honey Island Swamp Band's 20-year journey is a testament to the enduring appeal of roots music that blends diverse influences. Their ability to evolve their sound while staying true to their New Orleans roots has earned them a loyal following and critical acclaim, making their anniversary tour a must-see event for fans of contemporary Americana and Southern-tinged music.