Hannibal Buress Announces Three-Day ‘Isola Fest’ Comedy And Music Festival In Mississippi



Chicago comedian, actor and entrepreneur Hannibal Buress has announced the first Isola Fest, taking place Dec. 13-15 in Isola, Miss., headlined by Buress with support from artists including T-Pain, Flying Lotus, Open Mike Eagle and others.

The rural Mississippi town, named after the word “Isolation” and with a population of 800 people, is being billed as the “perfect backdrop for Buress’ three-day event”that will combine comedy, music, games, food and more under one roof at the “Playas Palace.” 
“I’m having a festival December 13-15th in rural Mississippi,” Buress says in a statement. “That’s kind of short notice but I’m good with it. Isola is short for Isolation. I know this sounds like some Fyre Festival part 2 type situation but we have things pretty much in order.  Our sandwiches are just as equally trash as theirs though. Some things you just can’t control. This is the town my mother’s side of the family is from.  My cousin owns a venue called Playaz Palace so I’m getting a deal on these nights.  The lineup is gonna be great. T-Pain, Flying Lotus, Open Mike Eagle, Eryn Allen Kane, Serengeti, and Khris Royal are all performing. It’s going to be a great time.” The festival website notes that Buress’ mother’s family is from Isola, Miss. 
He really is “having a festival,” as Pollstar has learned, with a representative saying the event is produced by Bamboozle Bessie Productions, adding, “It’s all in house.” 
Other talent on the Iso-LA Fest bill include Serengeti, Eryn Allen Kane, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Khris Royal and more are promised to be announced. Tickets are available ranging from $30 – $100. 
Buress has stoked media fires over recent weeks, including igniting a politically charged Twitter storm as well as re-confirming that he’s not MF Doom on stage with Flying Lotus at Adult Swim Festival.
The festival is notably happening just more than a week after the announcement, unheard of even for the artist-curated event, and definitely one in such a small market. Travis Scott’s Astroworld was announced on short notice and its lineup didn’t drop until a day before the event took place, but fans did know Scott was headlining already.