NYS Music 20​19

Tag: Antibalas

  • Antibalas introduces new single “Fight Am Finish,” plan two nights at Brooklyn Bowl in March

    Afrobeat legends Antibalas, fresh off celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2019, have just released their newest single, “Fight Am Finish.” The group will release their upcoming album Fu Chronicles on Daptone Records on February 7.

    antibalas fight am finish

    Singer Duke Amayo says of the track to Brooklyn Vegan:

    We have arrived at a time when we must be ‘Seshat in Red Gloves’ and punch throw the sand curtain of Lies and deceit.
    We must fight for the Truth.
    We must fight for Sustainability.
    We must fight for Peace.
    We must Fight for our Dreams.
    We must Fight am finish and never ever give up the good fight, for the Destiny of Truth is Exposure.

    Triple triple triple exposure!

    Antibalas will head out on an extensive winter/spring tour in 2020, with two shows at Brooklyn Bowl on March 20 and 21. Tickets are on sale Friday, November 22 at 12noon. Check out NYS Music’s gallery of their 20th anniversary performance at Brooklyn Bowl this past March.

    Antibalas 2020 Tour Dates

    Tuesday, February 11 — The Siren — San Luis Obispo, CA
    Wednesday, February 12 — Moe’s Alley — Santa Cruz, CA
    Thursday, February 13 — The Regent — Los Angeles, CA
    Friday, February 14 — The Independent — San Francisco, CA
    Saturday, February 15 — The New Parish — Oakland, CA
    Sunday, February 16 — The Independent — San Francisco, CA
    Thursday, February 20 — Neptune Theatre — Seattle, WA
    Friday, February 21 — Rickshaw Theater — Vancouver, BC
    Saturday, February 22 — PDX Jazz — Portland, OR
    Sunday, February 23 — The Olympic — Boise, ID
    Wednesday, February 26 — Knotty Pine — Victor ID
    Thursday, February 27 — The Commonwealth Room — Salt Lake City, UT
    Friday, February 28 — Washington’s — Fort Collins, CO
    Thursday, March 19 — The Sinclair — Boston, MA
    Friday, March 20 — Brooklyn Bowl — Brooklyn, NY
    Saturday, March 21 — Brooklyn Bowl — Brooklyn, NY
    Thursday, March 26 — Terminal West — Atlanta, GA
    Friday, March 27 — The Grey Eagle — Asheville, NC
    Saturday, March 28 — Cat’s Cradle — Carrboro, NC
    Friday, April 3 — Sleeping Village — Chicago, IL
    Saturday, April 4 — SPACE — Evanston, IL
    Friday, April 10 — Lee’s Palace — Toronto, ON
    Saturday, April 11 — Lee’s Palace — Toronto, ON
    Friday, April 17 — Theatre of The Living Arts — Philadelphia, PA

  • Antibalas Delivers Sweet Afrofunk at Industry City

    On Saturday night at Industry City, Antibalas delivered their infectious Afrofunk, closing out the Summer Series presented by City Farm Presents. They were joined by the sassy High and Mighty Brass band, rooted in sounds from New Orleans funk to R&B and hip-hop. Both bands exceeded expectations, despite missing parts of their regular lineup, in this new and exciting venue within a redeveloped section of Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

    High and Mighty Brass Band

    The High and Mighty Brass band brought their energy and unique covers to Industry City. The bands stealthy line up included Charlie Kay (vocals), Evan Howard (drums), Tyler Tritt (trumpet), Nolan Tsang (trumpet), Dan Lehner (trombone), Corey Wilcox (trombone), Vija Brown (guitar), Chauncey Yearwood (percussion and vocals), and Steve Duffy (sousaphone). Two notable covers included TLC’s “Waterfalls” and Ginuwine’s “Pony.” The band recently released “Pony” on video, shot in their hometown of NYC.

    Amayo from Antibalas

    Antibalas took the stage and continued the high energy affair with their signature blend of Afrobeat, which incorporates elements of improvisation, jazz, funk and traditional drumming. Vocalist and original member Amayo engaged the crowd with his positive vibes and inspirational spirit throughout the night. The talented band members on stage included Jordan Mclean (trumpet), Marcos Garcia (guitar), Reinaldo De Jesus (percussion), Giancarlo Luiggi (shekere), Timothy J Allen (guitar), Kevin Rackza (drums), Raymon Mason (trumpet), Eric Biondo (trumpet), Michael Buckley (baritone sax), Lynn Ligammari (saxophone), and Vince Chiarito (bass). Notably missing from the lineup was the founder, saxophonist Martin Perna, however the replacements held their own, making for a memorable night of music in Brooklyn.

    Antibalas Horns

  • In Focus: Antibalas Celebrates 20 Years at Brooklyn Bowl

    With lead singer Amayo preaching ‘deep unconditional love’ throughout the night, Antibalas performed to a sold out crowd on the second night of their 20th anniversary run at Brooklyn Bowl this past Saturday.

    The fusion of African and Cuban music that Antibalas has brought to audiences for two decades is one that is rich in history and message, bringing the influence and sounds of Fela Kuti to a new generation. For nearly two hours, the 12-piece band and special guests took to the stage, creating a rich, full sound that moved the captive and diverse audience. Here’s to at least two more decades of Antibalas!

  • Antibalas 20th Anniversary Tour brings band back to Brooklyn

    Antibalas return to their Brooklyn roots this weekend for their 20th anniversary tour’s final U.S. shows. They’ll play two nights at Brooklyn Bowl, with Innov Gnawa joining them on Friday, March 15, and Poetic Thrust starting the night off on Saturday, March 16.

    The musical collective known as Antibalas (Spanish for bullet-proof or anti-bullets) was conceived of in Mexico City and formed in Brooklyn in the late ’90s. The early formation of the group was composed of the band’s founder Martín Perna and later included several other members (Gabriel Roth, Michael Wagner, Del Stribling aka Binky Griptite, Victor Axelrod, Fernando Bugaloo Velez, Anda Szilagyi) from the Soul Providers / Dap Kings band. performing their first show in May 1998 at St. Nick’s Pub in Harlem NY.

    The music of Fela Kuti is well represented in the Antibalas sound, and was part of the band’s early connection with percussionist Amayo, who grew up in Lagos, Nigeria who was fluent in the music of Fela. Within months of his first show with the band at The Cooler, he began composing and performing lyrics and assuming the role of the group’s lead vocalist / frontman.

    Antibalas recently released their sixth studio album on Daptone, Where the Gods are in Peace.  Though recognized for their fluency in Afrobeat and funk music, the band is known to collaborate with diverse groups and artists, from Angélique Kidjo to Jovanotti to Medeski Martin & Wood to Public Enemy, and served as the house band at Carnegie Hall in 2014 (Music of Paul Simon), 2015 (Music of David Byrne & Talking Heads) and 2017’s Music of Aretha Franklin.

    Join Antibalas and guests Innov Gnawa and Poetic Thrust this weekend at Brooklyn Bowl and celebrate 20 year’s of Afro-Cuban funk and rhythm.

    antibalas anniversary

    Check out the rest of Antibalas’ 20th Anniversary Tour Dates.

    March 14 – The Warehouse at FTC – Fairfield, CT
    March 15 – Brooklyn Bowl – Brooklyn, NY
    March 16 – Brooklyn Bowl – Brooklyn, NY
    March 30 – The Shrine – Lagos, Nigeria
    April 3 – FuzzYon – La Roche Sur Yon, FR
    April 4 – La Sirene – La Rochelle, FR
    April 5 – Le Temps Machine – Joue Les Tour, FR
    April 6 – Festival Banlieues Bleues – Epinay, FR
    April 7 – La Nef – Angouleme, FR
    April 9 – Le Moloco – Audaincourt, FR
    April 10 – Cully Jazz Festival – Cully, CH
    April 12 – Moods – Zurich, CH
    April 13 – Le Plan – Ris Orangis, FR
    April 16 – Het Depot – Leuven, BE
    April 17 – Maison Folie – Lille, FR
    April 19 – Jazz Cafe – London, UK
    April 20 – The Sugar Club – Dublin, IE
    April 21 – The Sugar Club – Dublin, IE