It all started in 2011 when Romania’s Fanfare Ciocarlia squared up against Serbia’s Boban & Marko Markovic Orkestar. On one stage the two great veteran Gypsy brass orchestras went toe-2-toe. After constantly touring Europe and battling night-after-night only one orchestra was left in the ring…….Fanfare Ciocarlia! But a champion knows no peace. Now, Mahala Rai Banda, the youthful contenders from Burcharest, have stepped up and demanded a shot at the title. Let the battle begin! Where champions Fanfare Ciocarlia come from a tiny village in isolated northern Romania, Mahala Rai Banda arose from the Gypsy ghettoes on the outskirts of Bucharest. Where Fanfare Ciocarlia are steeped in traditional Gypsy music with roots in the 19th Century Mahala Rai Banda’s sound is that of 21st Century city dwellers: funk, reggae and manele inform their brass blast. Fanfare Ciocarlia are Balkan warriors, old and tough and very crafty. Mahala Rai Banda are young and fast and unforgiving. When both bands go head to head this promises to be a musical battle royal of epic proportions. Balkan Brass Battle Redux sees Fanfare’s Gypsy traditional music go up against Mahala Rai Banda’s urban street music. Each concert will see the audience deciding which band rocks hardest! Balkan Brass Battle Redux is the most exciting, visceral, big fun roots music event on earth! Let’s get ready to rummmmbbbble!!!