Antibalas

I've been to a lot of concerts in the 3 years since I've returns to Atlanta, and Zap Mama & Antibalas is my new high watermark.

The music was powerful and vibrant, the show itself was beautiful to watch and experience with an overwhelming sense of raw fun and enjoyment being displayed by those on stage. The crowd was probably the best I've had the pleasure of being amongst (especially at Variety Playhouse).

Zap Mama's Marie Daulne is wildly charismatic and talented, and the other members were radiating with positive energy -- Manou's bass solo left me absolutely slackjawed. Antibalas provided bombastic sound and spirit that was the definition of infectious. When both acts share the stage, they truly embody the sentiment behind 'more than the sum of their parts'.

If you have the opportunity to watch either act, alone or ideally together, I *emphatically* recommend that you attend.