Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

These eight brass blood brothers are definitely horn-y, as they charmed their way through a half-hour on-stage soundcheck by chatting up the ladies in the audience. Once they actually started playing, they channeled all their post-border-crossing frustrations into a furious set combining New Orleans, klezmer, hip-hop and Afrobeat influences (including a Fela Kuti cover). The ecstatic crowd convinced them that, belligerent border guards aside, Canada will have them back anytime.