Craft Beer Week has just ended, and that means that WORT’s Block Party is just around the corner. One of the many local bands joining us that weekend is the Afrofunk/Afrobeat group, Immigré.
Immigré is not a musical group that fits in a box, unless of course you count the fishing hut they spent hours practicing in when they first started. Afrobeat is already a mixture of styles, but they take it a step even further by injecting their own distinct voice. The result is a one of a kind hypnotic feel with a groove that makes it hard to sit still. Swirling guitar and funky bass lines are topped off by an intimidating rhythm section. These form a solid foundation for horn melodies that are cleverly highlighted by pulsating electric piano.
WORT’s Block Party features the Annual ‘No Crap On Tap’ craft beer garden again this year, and Immigré has been known to fuel some of their practices with craft beer. They enjoy many local brews, but Ale Asylum’s vast selection and Karben 4 Brewing are among some of their favorites.
It would make sense that Immigré would lean toward a brewery like Ale Asylum, with its impressively large selection of quality craft brews, because Immigré is a group with an impressively large selection of quality musicians! The band makes an impression before they even play a single note with the sheer size of the ensemble. While the large group is amassing on stage, you might catch a familiar face or two if you are a regular Madison music patron. That’s because many of its members have been playing funk across the Midwest for years in various groups. The Big Payback, Tani Diakite and the Afrofunkstars, The Mustache/Better Yeti, and the Youngblood Brass Band all have Immigré members in their ranks.
Immigré can’t wait for this year’s block party! In the meantime, you can enjoy some of their great music on their Reverbnation page. Follow Immigré and WORT on social media, and join the event page for news leading up to the party. We can’t wait to see you on May 21st for the 20th Annual WORT 89.9FM Block Party & 14th Annual No Crap On Tap!
