big bands in the park

Last night, after waiting for technical difficulties to be resolved, we saw Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra in Central Park as part of the Joe's Pub in the Park series. Before Antibalas played, two openers played: first Nublu Orchestra and then Burnt Sugar. The night was cold but the sounds got warmer as the evening continued. Nublu was cool and too twiddly. Burnt Sugar was frustrating as I sensed so much potential in the 19 or so performers on stage, but the moments of real feeling came and went. Things came together in the headliner; Antibalas made the waiting in line for free tickets worthwhile. Antibalas played a political number "indictment", which I downloaded from Itunes as soon as we got back,as well as a Fela cover.