August is here and the temperature in the Missoula Valley continues to rise. With heated, funky jams, these eight concerts will raise the temperature even higher. Check out each artist, mark your calendars and don’t miss your next chance to get out and get groovy.

 

August 14: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

New Orleans-based Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue are set to return to Missoula on Monday, Aug 14th. This performance marks Shorty’s jump from opening The Wilma in 2016 to headlining the venue this time around.

Troy Andrews, a.k.a. Trombone Shorty, is known for fronting the blaring brass, deep-grooves, and hip-hop/pop swagger of his band with an intense energy that can bring anyone to their feet. Their most recent album, Parking Lot Symphony, was produced by grammy-winner Chris Seefried and features 12 tracks dripping with jazzy, New Orleans flavor.

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August 19: New Breed Brass Band

New-Orleans based New Breed Brass Band is set to play The Top Hat on Saturday, Aug 19th. A 9-piece ensemble, the group seeks to bring new flavor to second-line brass. They have opened for big-names like The Fray and Red Baraat.

Mostly young-adults, some of the group members are family members of brass greats. For instance, Jenard Andrews on snare (previously w/ ReBirth and Dirty Dozen) is the nephew of Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, who says…

“These kids take the music and the ethos seriously.  They get it.  The way I see it, the future of the New Orleans brass band tradition is in their hands.  I really believe that”

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September 8: Reverend Slanky

The local favorite, Reverend Slanky, will be returning to The Top Hat on Friday, Sept 8th. The seven-piece funk outfit has been playing the state for over ten years. They yield a lively repertoire of music from funk to afro-latino grooves that is sure to get audiences on their feet.

Photo Gallery: Down North & Reverend Slanky at The Top Hat (12/11/2015)

The current Slanky lineup is Cody Hollow on vocals & percussion, Sam White on saxophone, Jarom Hein on trumpet, Phil Stempin on Band, Chris Entz on Guitar, Chris Naro on drums and vocals, and Bob Packwood on keyboards.

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September 20: Turkuaz

After an incredible performance with The New Mastersounds this past fall, pop-funk group Turkuaz will return to The Top Hat on September 20th. The vibrant, funky ensemble started as a popular ‘dance band’ that sold out shows in Brooklyn. More popularity allowed the artists to switch direction to original content.

On their last album, Digitonium, songs are influenced by funk, pop, rock, and essentially any groove that “gets people up and moving.” The songs are carefully crafted to get the floor shaking and “leave attendees wanting more.” So whether you weren’t done dancing the last time, or it’s your first Turkuaz experience, come to The Top Hat on Sept 20th to get groovy.

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October 5: TAUK

Having sold out The Top Hat in July of 2016, East coast jam-rockers TAUK will bring their heavy instrumental fusion back to Missoula with support from Portland-based electronic power trio Yak Attack on October 5th.

On their third studio album Sir Nebula, TAUK tap into their singular chemistry to elevate and expand their all-instrumental blend of funk, hip-hop, progressive rock, and jazz. Revealing both their refined musicality and unbridled creativity, the Oyster Bay, New York-bred rock-fusion four-piece (guitarist Matt Jalbert, bassist Charlie Dolan, keyboardist/organist Alric “A.C.” Carter, and drummer Isaac Teel) push into new sonic terrain and build entire worlds within each richly textured soundscape.

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October 11: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong

On the 11th of October, the funky Baltimore-based unit Pigeons Playing Ping Pong will return to The Top Hat for one of the vivacious and “out-there” performances these birds are known for. The quartet plays between various genres, but the heaviest influences are attributed to funk and psychedelic rock.

“Pigeons Playing Ping Pong brings end-of-the-world enthusiasm to their high-energy psychedelic funk. Their infectious electro-funk grooves, undeniable live energy and contagious smiles have their rabid fan-base “the Flock” growing exponentially” – PPPP Bio

Those present at the group’s February performance will expect nothing less than excellent musicianship11, tight jams, wild energy, and the appropriate dose of weird come October.

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October 22: GRiZ

After an ambitious sprint through festival season, future funk artist GRiZ will return to Missoula for a concert at The Wilma on October 22nd. Known for his epic blend of funk, jazz, hip hop and electronic muisc, Grant Kwiecinski (aka GRiZ) has experienced nothing but rapid increases in recognition over recent years.

The electronic producer and artist has been consistently dripping singles in the past weeks from his newest remix album, Good Will Continue (out now). Fans of electronic festivals and concerts should check this energy-charged sonic fusion come October.

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November 2: The Floozies

Brothers Matt and Mark Hill, a.k.a The Floozies, will return to The Top Hat for their Funk Jesus tour on Thursday, Nov 2nd. The duo eschews contemporary electronic influences by employing various genres including jazz, funk, hip-hop, disco and afro-beat.

Fun Fact: The Floozies never use a set list and live-record nearly all of their samples–a jazz mentality in the world of electronic music.

November 2nd will be their fourth time in Missoula, having previously played The Top Hat and opened at The Wilma. The group’s eclectic mix results in a unique brand of electronica comparable to that produced by future-funk artists like GRiZ. The Floozies have headlined Red Rocks and played big-name festivals; doing their time as road warriors and breathing new meaning into live-electronic music.

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Be sure to mark your calendars and buy tickets early, while supplies last. Tickets are available through the above links, associated event pages, over the phone at (877) 987-6487 or at The Top Hat’s Box office in downtown Missoula. The full lineup for The Wilma, The Kettlehouse Amphitheater, and The Top Hat can be found here.