Grammy-nominated New Orleans ensemble Tank and the Bangas are making their highly anticipated return to Milwaukee’s Turner Hall Ballroom on April 6, 2025, bringing their electrifying blend of funk, soul, and spoken word to the city’s historic venue. The performance, featuring special guests Elliott Skinner and DJ Zeus, will open its doors at 7:00 PM, with tickets going on sale January 17 at 10:00 AM.
Since their formation in 2011, Tank and the Bangas have established themselves as one of the most innovative forces in contemporary music. Led by the charismatic vocalist Tarriona “Tank” Ball, the group has consistently pushed the boundaries of genre, seamlessly weaving together elements of jazz, funk, soul, and spoken word into a sound that could only emerge from the rich cultural tapestry of New Orleans.
The band’s artistic journey has been marked by significant milestones, including their breakthrough moment as winners of NPR’s 2017 Tiny Desk Contest, which has since accumulated over 14 million views on YouTube. Their creative evolution continues to garner critical acclaim, as evidenced by their latest project, “The Heart, The Mind, The Soul,” which has earned them a 2025 Grammy Award nomination for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album. This recognition adds to their impressive list of accolades, including a previous Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2020.
Their latest project, “The Heart, The Mind, The Soul,” released digitally on August 30, 2024, with physical copies including bonus content released on October 11, 2024, showcases the group’s poetic roots and musical versatility. The three-part spoken word collection features distinct collaborations with renowned producers: James Poyser helming “The Heart,” Iman Omari crafting the dreamy loops of “The Mind,” and Robert Glasper producing “The Soul” alongside Austin Brown and Brian London. The album includes impressive collaborations with artists like Jill Scott, Samara Joy, aja monet, Yaya Bey, and J. Ivy.
The project represents Tank’s mission to elevate poetry as a musical genre, with each section exploring different aspects of her artistic expression. The songs flow seamlessly into each other, with lyrical ideas building throughout the album as the presentation evolves from spoken word to rap and song. From “A Poem Is” featuring Jill Scott to the introspective “Am I Still New Orleans” with Robert Glasper, the album demonstrates the band’s commitment to pushing creative boundaries while maintaining their signature sound.
Tank and the Bangas’ live performances are renowned for their dynamic energy and unpredictable nature, combining fiery soul, deft hip-hop, deep-groove R&B, and subtle jazz influences. Their return to Milwaukee promises to showcase the full spectrum of their musical capabilities, offering audiences a chance to experience firsthand the vibrant spirit and artistic innovation that has made them one of New Orleans’ most compelling contemporary acts.
Check out Radio Milwaukee’s Studio Session with Tank and The Bangas from 2022 where I interviewed Tank.