AUGUST 29th 2025
THE BUDOS BAND

Review by Erin Mussolum
Photos by Peter Ruttan

http://www.metaltitans.com/concertpics/the-budos-band/

Last night at the legendary Commodore Ballroom, The Budos Band turned a regular Thursday into something unforgettable. If you’ve ever been to the Commodore, you know the place has a certain vibe—the spring-loaded dance floor, the old-school art deco details, the way the lights bounce off that massive disco ball. It’s one of those rooms that feels alive when the right band hits the stage. And trust me, The Budos Band was the right band. Known for their unique blend of funk, soul, Afrobeat, and heavy psych rock, the Staten Island collective brought raw energy and swagger that had the crowd grooving from the very first note.

The venue was buzzing well before the band hit the stage. Fans packed in shoulder to shoulder, beers in hand, ready for the sonic storm to hit. They opened with “Old Engine Oil,” and the room rocked. That deep, sludgy bassline rolled through the floorboards, and the horns came in like a brass battalion charging into a bloody battle. The Budos Band don’t need a frontman—those horns are the voice, they spoke very loud and clear. Right away, the whole crowd started moving. No hesitation, no warming up—just instant groove.

The Budos Band thrives on atmosphere, and their setlist reflected that cinematic intensity. Tracks like “Long in the Tooth” and “Aphasia” came across like the soundtrack to a lost 1970s crime film—dark, smoky, and dripping with attitude. The brass section was razor-sharp, blasting out melodies that cut through the thick fuzz of guitar riffs and swirling organ lines. Every player seemed locked into the same pulse, a hypnotic rhythm that compelled the audience to move.

What sets The Budos Band apart is the weight of their sound. While their roots are in funk and soul, the live performance leans into something heavier, almost doom-laden at times, like Black Sabbath crashing a James Brown session. Songs like “Arcane Rambler” showcased that darker edge, with riffs so thick they rattled the floorboards. Yet even in the heaviest moments, the groove never faltered. It was tight, relentless, and impossibly cool.

One of the night’s highlights came midway through the set with “The Sticks.” The band stretched it out into an extended jam, horns swirling in call-and-response over a relentless rhythm section. The crowd was digging it—dancing, cheering, and shouting along to every rise and fall in the arrangement. The band without a single lyric, The Budos Band managed to create an atmosphere that felt euphoric and dangerous at the same time.

The chemistry among the musicians was undeniable. There were no flashy solos or over-the-top theatrics—just pure, locked-in musicianship. Each member played their part with precision and ease, contributing to the collective force rather than stealing the spotlight.

After nearly 90 minutes of unrelenting groove, The Budos Band closed with fan favorite “Up From the South,” sending the crowd into one last frenzy before leaving the stage to deafening cheers.

In an era dominated by digital beats and synthetic sounds, The Budos Band prove that nothing hits harder than real instruments played with passion and grit. Their Vancouver performance wasn’t just a concert—it was a full-on experience, a sweaty, ecstatic ritual of rhythm and soul.