V4YS Concert Review - Antibalas - Live at New Morning, Paris, 301012

Amayo

Finally back in Europe after a long absence, the Antibalas crew blew a red (hot) New Morning audience away, with 2h30 of their original spicy Afrobeat recipe.

Martin Perna

Led by some of his veteran members (among which founder & baritone sax Martin Perna, singer Amayo , trumpet wizard Jordan McLean, keyboards master Victor Axelrod or hurricane tenor sax Stuart Bogie), the combo was also visiting Paris with more recent members like the energetic young drummer Miles Arntzen whose dad, trumpet player Leif Arntzen, made a moving guest-starring during the show.

Jordan McLean

Alternating between tracks from their powerful new self-titled LP and their (now almost classic) covers of Bob Marley (Rat Race) & Fela (Open & Close or Swegbe & Pako...), they filled the room with a much-needed dose of energy & enthusiasm.

Miles Artnzen

Displaying their natural sense of sharing, they once again remembered me why, when I first saw them in 1999 for one of their first european gig at the time in London,  they immediately became my favorite live band. A mandatory experience if their tour stops by anywhere near you !




A glimpse of the atmosphere yesterday night, with this rough video of their cover of Open & Close from the one and only Fela Kuti :




Merci à Vincent B. pour la plupart des photos !