Last year,
NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series welcomed a lot of great music, but one act really pushed Bob Boilen’s capacity to the bursting point as Mucca Pazza crammed the 23-member band behind the famed set/desk.
Now, almost a year later, the band hailing from Chicago will be landing in Grand Rapids and will be facing the same challenges as they did on the NPR program as they attempt to fit all the members on the tiny stage at the Pyramid Scheme.
What sets them apart from the Detroit Party Marching Band (another amazing band to see when they return to GR) is that Mucca Pazza (Italian for ‘Mad Cow’) performs music from Prokoviev to Morricone to straight up band-camp funk-rock, but just not in the tradition of those matchy-matchy uniforms your band camp kids wore in marching band.
Instead, they are much looser in their presentation with a nod to the let’s-see-if-this-works mismatch style of costuming these castaway pieces loosely associated with the theme of a marching band. It is not just a musical but a visual treat to see them live.
Much Pazza has four solid recordings under their belt, plus a nice collection of collaborations with names like Andrew Bird and Exene Cervenka and a slew of music credits from darling TV series like “Weeds” and “Transparent.” This band is sure to be just what you need to get your heart pumping and blood flowing during a time most would be happy to sit at home. (Please don’t sit at home when an act like this comes to GR.)
Admission: $25 / All ages event