The Essentials

Eight players and a horn section give The Essentials a big, brassy funk sound. The band comes from Sydney's Northern Beaches, and the set mixes vintage funk with newer funk and a bit of pop, every song picked to get people dancing and hold them there. A tight rhythm section drives it, guitar and keys add the funk, and the horns lift the choruses. Out front is singer Sara Azrina, who has the power to lead a band that size. With that much sound on stage, they're best in a room that wants a proper party.