Your guide to the 2016 TransAtalantic Music Festival
2016 FESTIVAL LINEUP
Beirut
Beirut, formed in 2006, is an American folk pop band, fronted by founder and brainchild Zach Condon, whose music is synonymous with the exotic mysteries of world travel. Opting out of high school, Condon traveled through Europe at 16, immersing himself in Balkan folk and Gypsy music. Back home in Albuquerque, Condon recorded the songs that would make up Gulag Orkestar largely on his own, playing accordion, keyboards, saxophone, clarinet, mandolin, ukulele, horns, glockenspiel, and percussion along with Barnes’ drums and Trost’s cello and violin. An immediate sensation with next-generation folk-loving indie music fans. Here is our favorite song:
EMEFE
EMEFE has been making people dance uncontrollably since 2010, when the eight-member collective started as a horn driven, instrumental project with heavy afrobeat, funk and jazz influences. Frontman Miles Arntzen (a member of Antibalas) has evolved the group into a hybrid that opens the band up to exciting collaborations. EMEFE’s beats have been compared to a cross between Fela Kuti and Prince, with vocals reminiscent of the Talking Heads’ candor and the Beach Boys’ lush pop sensibility. The NYC-based group is visiting Miami Beach as part of a tour that kicks off at SXSW.
Troker
If Salvador Dali ever made a heist movie, then Mexico’s Troker would provide the perfect soundtrack. The six-piece group arose in the frenetic grooves and playful jam sessions of the underground jazz scene of Guadalajara. Their music is a blend of the composed and the improvised, where metal riffage merges with powerhouse funk drumming and DJ scratching, and horn lines pull from jazz and mariachi. Troker was the first band to play two consecutive years at the West Holts Stage at the legendary UK Glastonbury Festival. In 2014, they were both SXSW and WOMEX official showcasing artists. They are now touring internationally, as well as developing their own silent film project, The Grey Automobile.
Psychic Mirrors
Miami boogie supergroup Psychic Mirrors has at its center the one of a kind Mickey de Grand IV. His love of funk, low-slung boogie and synth-fun has recently led the group to the 2015 edition of the Academy in Tokyo and the Red Bull stage at SONAR in Barcelona. While the adjectives irreverent, imaginative and psychedelic all apply here, the best description comes from the band itself: “On some next level…”
Kazoots
A little bit voudou, a little bit rock and roll. Indie-Haitian group Kazoots is led by Inez Barlatier, in partnership with Jayan Bertrand. The lifelong friends grew up with their fathers’ iconic Haitian roots band Kazak in the 1990s. Kazoots fuses the two young musicians’ love of indie rock and folk music with percussive Caribbean rhythms, creating a fresh new sound. Jayan’s playing style ranges from psychedelic-blues to soukous, and beyond, complimenting Inez’ amazing voice.
Chantil Dukart
Chantil is a young singer who moved to Miami from Alaska, to pursue a music degree at the Frost School of Music at University of Miami. She has been writing music since she was 7 years old, and as her playing morphed through classical music, jazz, and popular music, so did her writing. Her band Chantil and the Dukes of Art play a mix of funk, jazz, mo-town, and r&b that complements her signature vocals.
Sunset Raga
Tabla master Rajesh Bhandari, accompanied by sitarist Rajesh Ramoutar, offer an Indian raga on the Beatles Mandala in Bandshell Park (Kevin Arrow’s mosaic masterpiece created for City of Miami Beach’s Art in Public Places) at 6 PM on April 9. Also in Bandshell Park, Trio Yoga‘s amazing acroyoga.
FOOD + DRINK
Come hungry – we got you covered! Delicious veggie treats from The Plant Miami, wood burning oven pizzas from Hot Satellite Pizza, plus a full bar. Surfrider Miami #plasticfree sustainability partners, have your re-usable festival cups too.
- Custom screen printed festival t-shirts and artist merch
- Food vendors Hot Satellite Pizza and The Plant Miami, plus a full bar,
Bandshell Park activities are free and open to public.
THE AFTER PARTIES
Friday, April 8
Gummdrops hosts Grey 8’s, Viceroi and Heavy Drag, plus Mr Jolt DJ at On The Rocks.
Saturday, April 9
DJ Sire and friends at Sandbar Lounge.
Both after show parties are 21+ up and free.
