Fight the Big Bull brings funky, experimental sounds to Duke Gardens

All photos by Kevin Norris

The 9-piece Virginia brass band Fight the Big Bull made their way south Wednesday evening to share their groovy, experimental music with a sweltering crowd at Duke Gardens.

Many may remember the band from their massive contribution to Megafaun's Sounds of the South shows at the Hayti Center in Durham last year (see photos and a review of one of those shows HERE).

This time, the band were showcasing their own music which blends jazz, swing, experimental and likely any number of other categories. What comes out of the blender of styles is something unique. It's a showcase of rhythm and space.

Sometimes their music is bombastic and funky, with everyone playing at once, but the sparser moments are quite striking as members step back for extended periods of time while others are showcased in solos or duets.

The band played right up to sunset, closing the main set with a rousing instrumental version of The Band's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." The song closed with a singalong of the last chorus. After leaving the stage, they returned for a quick, one-song encore before calling it a night.

Fight the Big Bull are worth checking out, and Triangle residents will have the chance again when the band come to Raleigh on Saturday, September 10, to perform at the Hopscotch Music Festival. They'll play the Pour House at 10:30 p.m. that night.