The fight of the century may have been going down, but the real action last Saturday night, May 2nd, was inside Irving Plaza. Everyone was excited to get down on one of the first nice nights of the year and what better way to do so than with a fantastic line up of funky dance acts and smooth soulful singers. The night boasted a stellar assortment of talents that were enjoyed by all. And because it was headlining band Turkuaz‘s last show in New York City until the Fall, everyone brought their A-Game and excitement along for the show.
Kat Wright & The Indomitable Soul Band got the night started, enchanting the audience from the very first song with smooth, sultry singing. Wright was backed by an incredible seven-piece band, complete with a full horn section, giving their sound more of a “big band” feel, with a great blend of soul and R&B.
In an interesting change of pace, Black Taxi brought some “dance-punk” tunes to capture a funky infectious excitement. Front man Ezra Huleatt flawlessly transitions from trumpet, to tambourine, to keys and vocals, sometimes even through a megaphone. The rest of the band impressively holds down the fort with ear catching harmonies and an electric energy that cannot be denied.
From the moment that Turkuaz began to play their first song, it was clear that the super upbeat enthusiasm could not be contained to the stage alone. The 9-piece “powerfunk” army invaded Irving Plaza, armed with a healthy dose of R&B, Soul, and strong world influences. The energy in the room was already high to begin with, but the level shot through the roof when Turkuaz embarked on their 90-minute headlining set.
The most fantastic part about their set and Turkuaz itself is that it is difficult to pinpoint one particular musician as the leader of the band. With four different lead vocalists, a killer horn section, and unique and intricate musical arrangements, all of the musicians in this band are insanely talented. This show was a great homecoming party for the Brooklyn-based funk outfit complete with good vibes and non-stop dancing. The group played tunes from their most recent album, Future 86, throughout the night
Turkuaz will be playing festivals across the country throughout the summer including Summer Camp, All Good Music Festival, and Catskill Chill. Check out their full summer schedule here.
– Marisa Frydman (@musicalmarisa)
