The Best Soul and Funk Bands to See at the Music Fest

Get a taste of the best soul and funk bands that will be performing at the Music Fest this year!

The Dap-Kings

With a attack that’s as tight as it is heavy, The Dap-Kings make it impossible not to move your feet. They’ve been Sharon Jones’ backing band for years, but they’re more than capable of carrying a show on their own. If you’re looking for a soul and funk band that will make you dance all night long, The Dap-Kings are the ones to see.

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings are an American funk and soul band signed to Daptone Records. They have been active since 1996, releasing seven studio albums, three holiday albums, and one live album. The band has its roots in 1970s funk, but they are also influenced by 1960s soul music. The band’s sound has been compared to that of James Brown and Otis Redding, as well as to the work of Brown’s backing band, the J.B.’s. Sharon Jones (born May 4, 1956) is the lead singer of the group.

The Dap-Kings are:
-Bassist Spencer Wiggins
-Drummer Zedric Turner
-Saxophonist Binky Griptite
-Trombonist Joseph “Joey” Fabus
-Trumpeter Anda Szilagyi

Charles Bradley

Funk and soul singer Charles Bradley was born in Gainesville, Florida, in 1948. He spent most of his childhood in Brooklyn, New York. In 1962, he began working as a James Brown impersonator under the name “Black Velvet.” In the early 1970s, Bradley toured with the gospel group The Holy Wonders. In 1996, he met Gabriel Roth, co-founder of Daptone Records. Roth convinced Bradley to start recording music. Bradley’s debut album, No Time for Dreaming, was released in 2011.

Bradley is known for his powerful live performances. He has toured with acts such as Jack White, Paul McCartney, and The Roots. His most recent album, Changes, was released in 2016.

Lee Fields and the Expressions

If you’re looking for some good soul and funk at the music festival, be sure to check out Lee Fields and the Expressions. With a strong focus on horns and rhythm, this band will get you grooving in no time. They often throw in a few R&B classics as well, so you’re sure to hear some familiar tunes.

The Budos Band

The Budos Band is one of the most dynamic and best soul and funk bands around today. From their early days as a Staten Island-based instrumental group, they have evolved into a powerhouse nine-piece band that knows how to get a crowd moving. With a horn section that will blow you away and a rhythm section that will keep you hooked, the Budos Band is not to be missed.

Antibalas

Antibalas is a 12-piece Afrobeat band that formed in Brooklyn in 1998. The band is known for its high-energy live shows, and its blend of Afrobeat, salsa, jazz, and funk. Antibalas has released six studio albums, and has been featured on NPR, The New York Times, and Rolling Stone.

The Soul Rebels

The Soul Rebels are an eight-piece band from New Orleans that blend brass and funk styles. Formed in 1992, the band has been influenced by artists such as James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, and The Meters. The Soul Rebels have toured internationally and have collaborated with a variety of artists including Metallica, Macklemore, Yelawolf, Robert Glasper, Gogol Bordello, and Elvis Costello.

The Suffers

The Suffers are a Houston-based eight-piece band that blend soul, R&B, gospel, and funk into a sound that is both vintage and fresh. Their debut album, Gotten Back: The Suffers Greatest Hits, was released in 2016 to critical acclaim, and the band has been touring relentlessly since then. They have played at festivals all over the world, and their live show is not to be missed.