Red Bull Street Kings brass band competition returning to New Orleans

New Breed Brass Band - Performance New Breed Brass Band preform at Red Bull Street Kings in the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans, LA, USA, on 26 October, 2013 // Robert Snow / Red Bull Content Pool // SI201310270295 // Usage for editorial use only // (Source: Red Bull Street Kings)

By Shan Bailey

NEW ORLEANS (NOLA WEEKEND) - After nearly 10 years, Red Bull Street Kings brass band competition will return to make soundwaves in New Orleans at the Music Box Village on Sept. 24.

The event, hosted by the energy drink makers, will celebrate the New Orleans brass band legacy in New Orleans and the city’s progressive hip-hop culture. Organizers call this year’s event their “most dynamic” yet.

Four New Orleans brass bands, Kings of Brass (K.O.B), Sporty’s Brass Band, Big 6 Brass Band and Young Pinstripe Brass Band, will go head-to-head in a two-round battle for bragging rights. Only two bands will advance to the finals.

Red Bull Street Kings first made an appearance in New Orleans under the Claiborne Avenue bridge in 2010, and a second show was staged in 2013.

This year will bring the soundclash to the Bywater where bands will get judged by New Orleans hip-hop legends Mia X and Mannie Fresh. Christie Jourdain of the Original Pinettes Brass Band, New Orleans Deputy Director of Arts and Culture Alana Harris, and Edna Karr band director Chris Herrero will also judge the competition.

Organizers say bands will be scored on stage appearance, material, energy, musicality, and innovation.

TBC Brass Band. // Christian Pondella / Red Bull Content Pool // SI201010240195 // Usage for editorial use only // (Source: Red Bull Street Kings)

In the first round, each band will second-line into the venue, performing a traditional brass song. The second round will pay tribute to the rich legacy of New Orleans music, paired with present-day artists in the ultimate collaboration. Each group will infuse the sound of a Southern-based hip-hop artist, including Stone Cold Jizzle, Alfred Banks, $leazy EZ, and Treety. The band left standing after three rounds of competition will be crowned the winner and receive a grand prize.

“This type of collaboration with brass can only be done in New Orleans,” hip-hop artist Treety said in a release. “The culture, the people and the bands are different here.”

Radio personality and entertainer Downtown Lesli Brown will host the event, and guest performers are also scheduled to appear throughout the event.

Previous Red Bull Street Kings winners include the Stooges Brass Band in 2010, and the Original Pinettes who were named the Street Queens in 2013.

“This is not just a novelty,” Natasha Harris of the Original Pinettes said in a release. “This is career, this is culture, this is family. To let the world see what we do in New Orleans is wonderful.”

Doors open for the event at 2 p.m., and general admission tickets are on sale for $5 here. Organizers say all proceeds from ticket sales will support the Dinerral Shavers Foundation, Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp, and Roots of Music.

The Music Box Village is located at 4557 N. Rampart St. in New Orleans.

Copyright 2022 WVUE. All rights reserved.

Shan Bailey

Shan Bailey

Shan Bailey is the digital content producer and on-air personality for FOX 8 Nola Weekend. Shan is a creative storyteller who is passionate about creating compelling content that connects with audiences.