If you’re looking for a night of music that moves both your feet and your soul, you’ll want to be at HudCo on Saturday, August 2, when Armo takes the stage. A brand-new project born from deep Afrobeat roots, Armo is more than just a side gig; it’s a spiritual and sonic evolution featuring members from Antibalas, Toubab Krewe, TV on the Radio, and more.
Armo’s story started where a lot of magical New York nights do: at Nublu, the legendary East Village club known for genre-bending jams and boundary-pushing energy. It was during an event produced by Relix Magazine editor-in-chief Mike Greenhaus, blending music and spirituality, that Amayo, longtime lead singer of Antibalas, took the mic. He called in a few trusted collaborators to back him up, and after an unrehearsed but electric set of original music and Fela Kuti covers, they grabbed a bite and made a decision: this wasn’t a one-time thing. A new band was born. That band became Armo.
While Armo clearly honors the Afrobeat tradition, they’re also not interested in staying in a box. With players hailing from eclectic acts like Toubab Krewe and TV on the Radio, the band brings a wide palette of sounds to the table.
“Like any band inspired by an established sound but still trying to break new ground,” band member Jordan Mclean explains, “we bring our diverse tastes and decision-making to make something new. It’s a process, and that’s what’s exciting.”
So what can people expect from an Armo live show? In short: heat. But not the aggressive kind, the spiritual kind. Expect groove-heavy rhythms, powerful horn lines, and vocals that hit you where it matters. You can dance hard, vibe quietly, or just soak it all in. It’s all welcome.
“You don’t have to dance to feel this music deeply,” says Mclean, “but it often brings people to their feet for an impromptu dance party. Or you can dance in your head and still get the full experience.”
The music is alive in more ways than one. With six members coming from different musical homes, Armo’s creative process is a shared experiment. Everyone has a voice. The setlist is always shifting. And no two performances are exactly the same.
“We never play the same song the same way twice. That’s our cornerstone.”
While the music doesn’t lean into politics explicitly, the band doesn’t shy away from messages of unity, compassion, and real talk about integrity, especially in a world where selfish leadership can dominate headlines.
“If someone hears a message in the lyrics or how a song is introduced, it’s about encouragement, not taking BS from public figures, and staying rooted in kindness and courage,” says Mclean.
There’s also a strong local connection: Armo’s drummer Kevin recently moved to Sleepy Hollow with his family, seeking a calmer rhythm outside Brooklyn’s hustle. Another member has lived in Tarrytown for over a decade. The Hudson Valley has clearly shaped not just their personal lives, but their musical energy.
“The train ride from Grand Central up the east coast of the Hudson is no less beautiful than the south of France,” Mclean jokes, but not really joking.
After HudCo, Armo isn’t slowing down. They’ve already played festivals and NYC club sets and are working on both studio and live recordings. Right now, the focus is all about refining the live show and continuing to build something authentic.
So, why should fans of Antibalas, or even people who’ve never heard a single Afrobeat track, come see Armo?
“It’s about our ever-expanding repertoire and the years we’ve put into interpreting these songs. We’ve been working on this sound for the better part of 30 years and still find new ways to express the current state of being human.”
Or, as George Clinton famously put it:
“Free your mind and your ass will follow.”
For tickets, click HERE.
