The Soul Rebels

The life of the party? That would be The Soul Rebels, an eight-piece brass band that blends funk and soul with elements of hip-hop, jazz, rock, and pop to evoke the atmosphere of a dance club. The band, which toured four continents in 2014 alone, took root from the shared desire of original members Lumar LeBlanc and Derrick Moss to combine the music they heard on the radio with the brass band traditions of their native New Orleans. “The Soul Rebels are the missing link between Public Enemy and Louis Armstrong,” writes a critic for The Village Voice. On tour, the band has collaborated live with Metallica, Green Day, Maceo Parker, Galactic, Slick Rick, Joey Bada$$, Big Freedia, and The String Cheese Incident and shared stages with Kanye West, John Mayer, Cee Lo Green, Jack White, Estelle, Alabama Shakes, Dave Matthews, Arcade Fire, and The Allman Brothers Band. “The Soul Rebels,” a Vibe reviewer notes, “are rebelling against one, albeit detestable thing: starchy paint-by-numbers music.” When not touring, the group’s weekly gig at New Orleans’ Le Bon Temps Roulé overflows with the kind of contagious, shout-along horns-and-percussion mayhem the musicians take with them wherever they perform.

The Soul Rebels performance is part of artsUP, a full afternoon of free performances, demonstrations, tours, and activities showcasing the arts at Penn State.

Artistic Viewpoints is not offered before this concert.

The Soul Rebels concert does not qualify for a discounted Choice series.