Inspired by artists such as Tuba Fats, Louis Armstrong, JJ Johnson, Stevie Wonder and Jackie McLean. Hot 8 Brass Band are just that, 8 of the hottest brass players out of New Orleans bringing the funk to our shores for the first time. Hot 8 Brass Band have always believed in contributing to their culture by playing in traditional Second Line parades, expressions of freedom and community through music and interaction. They have earned a great reputation on the streets, with seemingly boundless work ethic and energy, and have been known to pack in nine shows in a single day. Here they will bring their party energy to Sydney for an exclusive Falls Festival ONE sideshow only at The Basement.

//CANCELLED//

"Hot 8 music is feel good music...music with a message. It's life music."

Summer heat keeps getting thicker and thicker with Straightup announcement of the HOTTEST brass funk band out of the USA to date. HEAT!!! It's HOT 8 BRASS BAND on tour!!!

New Orleans' Hot 8 Brass Band was founded in 1995 by tuba player Bennie Pete, Jerome "Bay Bay" Jones (trombone) and Harry "Swamp Thang" Cook (bass drum) to play brass band music professionally. Inspired by artists such as Tuba Fats, Leroy Jones, Louis Armstrong, JJ Johnson, Stevie Wonder and Jackie McLean, and have variously recorded and performed with some of those mentioned and more. They also cite each other as influences.

Tru Thoughts record label first heard Hot 8 Brass Band when Quantic (having got his hands on a rare copy) played their cover of "Sexual Healing" in a New York DJ set. Witnessing the unprecedented round of applause that sprang up, they knew this band had something special. So they had a scout around for more of Hot 8's music.

Over the next few months Tru Thoughts signed Hot 8, and released "Sexual Healing" as a limited edition single in 2007. All 500 copies were snapped up immediately, making it the fastest-selling single in the label's history. Following a flood of enquiries, it was given a wider release, and the album 'Rock with the Hot 8' followed shortly after to widespread acclaim. Listen to the elegant jumble of jazz and soul, traditional boisterous brass band music and unmistakable hip hop attitude, and you will know this music could only have come from New Orleans. The band's first UK live dates came in 2008, with a sell-out tour, which won an army of dedicated new fans. The second single, "What's My Name? (Rock With The Hot 8)" - a Snoop Dogg cover - was a huge crowd-pleaser.

Hot 8 Brass Band have always believed in contributing to their culture by playing in traditional Second Line parades, expressions of freedom and community through music and interaction. They have earned a great reputation on the streets, with seemingly boundless work ethic and energy, and have been known to pack in nine shows in a single day. Having survived one of the worst natural and political disasters the USA has ever known - Hurricane Katrina - Hot 8 have thrown themselves into the subsequent relief and awareness projects to aid their community's redevelopment and recovery. They have been a key band in "SAVE OUR BRASS!" a local grass roots project that brought music to evacuee shelters and temporary trailer parks; and reached out to displaced New Orleanais via "Finding Our Folk". As well as the devastation of Katrina the Hot 8 Brass Band have faced more than their share of adversity. Four band members have died (two of them lost to violent acts on the local streets) and the band are now active figures in the group "Silence is Violence," an anti-violence campaign that was founded following the murder in December 2006 of Hot 8 member Dinerral Shavers.

In the few years after their first album, the band found themselves busier than ever, and their profile rose to such a level they were invited to support the likes of Mos Def, Lauryn Hill and Mary J Blige; performed in front of Wesley Snipes and Oprah Winfrey; and played several international tours taking in Glastonbury, the Big Chill (where they were chosen as the highlight by the UK's Observer newspaper), Roskilde and London's Scala among others. Highly respected among fellow musicians, they have guested on albums by the Blind Boys of Alabama and Basement Jaxx. The band and their story were also featured in Spike Lee's post-Katrina documentary When the Levees Broke, and the follow-up When the Creek Don't Rise; and HBO's hit television series Treme.

November 2012 saw the long awaited second LP release; 'The Life & Times Of...' was itself the first in a two album set designed to showcase two sides to the band. Preceded by a double A-side featuring "Ghost Town", a poignant and rambunctious cover of The Specials classic, and "Let Me Do My Thing", a breath taking original storytelling cut, the album showcased the party side of the band, gaining four and five star reviews in publications including The Observer, Songlines and MOJO, and worldwide daytime and specialist radio support.

The next instalment followed in Spring 2013 in the shape of 'Tombstone'; still with the emphatic Hot 8 groove, but lyrically and thematically more reflective, it is an emotional tribute to fallen band members and the funeral parades which centre on this music. "These records will celebrate the times we have had both before and after the storm. Burying our dead and letting their spirits soar, celebrating our city and the lives that our band mates have lived individually and collectively as Hot 8," explains band leader and tuba playerBennie Pete.

This most recent brace of albums has been celebrated in 2013 with festival sets including the legendary Fuji Rock, and major live tours of the US, UK and Europe. True to the Hot 8's universal appeal, they have found themselves in great demand wherever they have been, performing sessions and interviews for a diverse array of media including Guardian Music, Cerys Matthews (BBC 6Music), BBC 1Xtra Breakfast, Loose Ends (BBC R4), BBC World Service, Craig Charles (BBC 6Music) and The Sunday Times.

To say we are excited by this tour is a vast understatement. Hot 8 Brass Band are to come to Australian shores for the debut tour playing the Falls Festival nationally as well as Sydney and Melbourne side show dates. 

TICKETING INFO

DOORS OPEN AT 7.30PM

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
When General Admission Ticket sales have closed on the day of the show they may still be available at the door on the night. 

All patrons must be over the age of 18

Once purchased tickets are non-refundable & non-transferable
(applies to both Standing and Dinner sales)

Please ensure you bring photo ID as proof of age.

A booking fee applies to all advance tickets. (All quoted prices include tax).

Dress is Smart/Casual at Manager's discretion. No thongs.

RESTAURANT (LA LUPITA) OPENING TIMES
LUNCH: Wed - Fri (12pm - 3pm) || DINNER: Tues - Sat (5pm - Late)

NOTE: Restaurant Hours are subject to venue/function bookings.