With Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong checking into rehab in September, the band’s appearance in this year’s Voodoo Music + Arts Experience was cancelled, leaving a limited time frame for the event to find another high profile act to fill the void. But 2012’s Voodoo Experience did just that, announcing that rock mega group Metallica would be in Green Day’s spot headlining performances on Saturday, October 27.

This will be the 14th consecutive year for the festival in City Park, New Orleans, and it is scheduled for three days, from Friday, October 26, to Sunday, October 28. According to TalkTunesWorld, Voodoo is “the final musical event of the U.S. music festival season,” and its annual line-up features a range of musical genres that “reflects the cultural gumbo that defines this historic and beloved American city.”

Past Voodoo events have hosted a veritable who’s-who of the music industry, offering rosters filled with high-profile bands like KISS, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Beastie Boys. Event organizers this year have continued this trend, scheduling a slew of musical performances with headlining acts that include Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Jack White, Skrillex, and Nas. The festival’s official website has a full listing of performing artists and stage schedules. According to event promoters, “the festival is separated into 4 distinct areas: Le Ritual, Le Plur, Le Flambeau and Le Carnival,” each hosting music of different genres and “designed to showcase the unique personalities of the festival and New Orleans.”

Metallica is set to hit the stage at “Le Ritual” at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 27. This will reportedly be the band’s first local performance since 2008, and their first ever appearance at the Voodoo festival. In a statement released earlier in the month, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich said, “We are excited to be part of our first ever Voodoo Music + Arts Experience. Our good friends and fellow Bay Area residents Green Day had to unfortunately cancel their plans to be there, so we are more than happy to fill in for them in our own unique way.” In regards to Metallica serving as a last-minute replacement for Green Day, Stephen Rehage, founder of the Voodoo festival, said it is “like being part of rock & roll history in the making,” and he is “sure Metallica’s performance at Voodoo will be remembered for many years to come.”

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Tickets for the festival are on sale now and available through the event’s official website. General admission tickets can be purchased as 3-day passes or as single day tickets. VIP packages, called Loa Experience Credentials are also available. These packages include access to a special entrance, front row and balcony seating, and concierge services.

In addition to general admission, the festival also offers several options for those wishing to utilize the nearby campground. Camping passes range in price from $150 (4 nights/2 people) to the $2,500 Loa Grand package that includes a “ready to go” tent and backstage passes. For attendees not thrilled by the idea of camping outside, there are also several nearby hotels to provide accommodations.

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