Antibalas Bring Afrobeat to Mountain Jam

The Brooklyn-based Afrobeat band Antibalas took the Mountain Jam stage by storm during an early set on the second day of the festival. They were riding a blast of energy from their recent run of shows with Arcade Fire in France.

Singer Amayo danced gleefully about the stage as the horn section kept up a steady harmonic blast. Behind the band swung the rhythm of Afrobeat, a style derived from the Nigerian-style funk music played by the legendary Fela Kuti in the '70s.

The energy just about blew over this audience of Jammers – a particularly impressive feat, considering Antibalas' run of shows in Paris on June 3 and 4 supporting Arcade Fire. (Antibalas saxophone player Stuart Bogie plays with Arcade Fire.)

Earlier in the day, the band Instagrammed as they furiously drove north from New York City:

You'd never know that just an hour before, Antibalas were crammed into a vehicle, heading back from a European extravaganza. Even crazier: Antibalas are playing again at 1AM.

Here are some pictures from Antibalas' killer Mountain Jam set: