Nauti Spirits Distillery, Sunday, 3:45 pm
The Story
This pioneering Brooklyn-based brass band blends the rhythms of hard-driving North Indian Bhangra music with elements of funk, go-go, rock, hip-hop and Bollywood, creating an irresistible mix on the dance floor. Led by dhol player Sunny Jain, who was born to Punjabi parents in Rochester, New York, the six-piece band has drawn worldwide praise. NPR has dubbed them “the best party band in years” while Stereogum magazine said, “Red Baraat hits with the force of a spiritual awakening.”
Founded in 2008, Red Barat is an amalgam of South Asian wedding band, bhangra, funk party band, Balkan wedding band and New Orleans brass band. The band's first album, 2009's Chaal Baby, was followed by relentless national touring that saw them performing marathon shows at small clubs, the White House, Brooklyn Bowl and the Bonnaroo Festival. Red Baraat's second album, 2013’s Shruggy Ji, reached #1 on the Billboard World Albums chart. Gaadi of Truth followed in 2015 while 2016’s Livewire captured a performance at the KEXP studio in Seattle that incorporated electric guitar and live effects on some of the acoustic instruments. The ensemble's followed in 2017 with Bhangra Pirates and 2018’s Sound of the People. Their latest, 2020’s R.U.R.A. (Released Unreleased Released Again), features special guests Stewart Copeland of The Police, tabla master Karsh Kale and rapper Mandeep Sethi.
The Sound
Get ready for the most exotic, most exuberant party band you’ve ever encountered. Whether you know anything about the tradition of punjabi dance, you will be hard-pressed to resist Red Baraat’s wildly infectious, soul-grooving music. Signature numbers likes “Chaal Baby,” “Baraat to Nowhere” and “Shruggy Ji” will keep party people on the dance floor all night long.
