Bonde do Rolê-ing at the Grammercy Theater

I’d like to think of myself as some sort of lifelong hip music junkie… but in all honesty I, like many typical gawky teens of the 90′s, grew up wearing pants far too baggy for a 13-year-old girl with my walkman glued to the alternative Top-40 station. We were just fortunate back then that the Top-40 tunes had a bit more originality and auto-tone hadn’t disgraced the airwaves quite yet. Luckily, my tastes are a bit more refined now, and even though I can’t tell the difference between Drake and Chris Brown, I love nothing more than discovering a new band that has a great sound, that’s full of energy, and that makes me want to get up and dance.

While I consider my music tastes to be pretty eclectic (as in my Ipod playlist includes everything from Metallica to Big and Rich to Rihanna), I have a special affinity for Latin vibes. After spending three months in Latin America last summer and receiving some awesome playlists from local friends, I am now always on the lookout for new Latin groups. So, when my friend invited me to a concert this past Saturday for a Brazilian band that I had never heard of – BONDE DO ROLÊ - there was nothing that could keep me away.

We arrived at the GRAMMERCY THEATER on Park Avenue and 23^rd street at 11pm, and although the doors were supposed to open at 10:30pm, the line was still around the block and not moving – typical Latin mentality. My friend assured me that any wait was worth it for this band, and as he is an underground music guru, I decided to take his word for it.

We finally got inside at 11:30pm and BONDE DO ROLÊ was already stage. Immediately I could tell this was going to be a great show. People were pushing to the front of the stage, cheering, and moving their hips even though the music had not even started. And when it did, the place exploded.

open source video, online video platform, video streaming, video solutions

MC Laura Taylor in the spolight at the Bonde do Rolê concert at Gramery Theater.

Bonde do Rolê is an electropop group that is inspired by Funk Carioca, originally from Curitiba, Brazil. The members, MC’s Pedro D’Eyrot, Laura Taylor and DJ/MC Rodrigo Gorky, are creative and full of life, and their spicy attitudes were addictive. It’s no surprise that Bonde do Rolê were described as “Brazilian Party Starters” and one of the “Top 10 Bands to Watch” by Rolling Stone Magazine – the crowd could not get enough.

Not only was their sound fresh, funky, and full of energy, but Bonde do Rolê’s interaction with the audience was better than most concerts I have seen. Every member of the band jumped off the stage at one point, dancing through the crowd, high fiving excited guests, and even giving out a few lucky kisses. Yes, whipped cream was also involved.

MC Pedro D’Eyrot covered in whipped cream at Gramercy Theater on October 20, 2012

I couldn’t stop moving for the entire show, (a much-too-short 6 songs), and by the end I was hooked. I have been to many concerts, and this was one had some of the best energy I have experienced. You could tell that Bonde do Rolê loved every second of their performance, and their passion was reflected by the crowd. When the show ended, the band even came into the audience to share a beer and listen to the next group. I was lucky enough to be able thank them for a great show, to which DJ/MC Rodrigo Gorky responded, “We love NYC, and we love you,” – it was a perfect ending to a badass show.