Tank and the Bangas Headline Music 4 Shelter Benefit Concert

Last updated on November 16th, 2022 at 09:37 am

Grammy nominated funk group Tank and the Bangas headlined Simpson Housing Services’ annual Music 4 Shelter benefit concert. The bill also included local artists Soul Beautiful, Purple Funk Metropolis, and DJ Shannon Blowtorch. It was an uplifting night of positive live music that benefitted a good cause.

Simpson Housing Services, which is in their fortieth year, has a mission to support and advocate for people experiencing homelessness. The nonprofit serves about 2,000 people annually who are experiencing and transitioning out of homelessness.

“With stable housing, I was able to get back to school and get an education while staying home with my kids,” one of the monitors read, quoting an individual who has benefitted from the work done by Simpson Housing Services.

Throughout the night, the importance of having a stable home was front and center. Jess Pierce, Simpson Housing Services employee and member of the group Soul Beautiful, asked attendees to take out their house keys.

“Remember how lucky you are to have a house key in your pocket,” she shared. “Not everyone is lucky enough to have one.”

Click here to listen to Jess Pierce talk more about Simpson Housing Services and learn how her work has impacted the young residents at 66 West in Edina.

The group Purple Funk Metropolis felt honored to be sharing their talents for a good cause.

“Some people are good at public speaking, others are devoted activists or organizers or donors,” the band reflected. “We can use our talents to strengthen our community and make positive, necessary change.”

Attendees were encouraged to make donations throughout the night. Additionally, they were invited to bid on auction items donated by the community. People had a chance to win prize packs from Doom Tree Records, the Minnesota Vikings, and more.

The main draw of the night was the incredible music. DJ Shannon Blowtorch curated an energetic and positive vibe. The evening was a reminder how unifying great live music can be.

Purple Funk Metropolis impressed with their musicianship and charisma. Primarily an instrumental group, they were the perfect party starters.

Soul Beautiful unified the audience with their brilliant call and response. During their jam band style session, they talked about the importance of housing and got everyone cheering, “Music 4 Shelter!”

The headliners Tank and the Bangas brought everyone to their feet. The Grammy-nominated group took the stage in an introduction that rivaled an arena rock show. Their performance was filled with hard hitting instrumentals, powerful vocals, and an enthralling audience response.

In a preshow interview, Tank shared why this cause was important to her.

“I definitely know what it’s like to have a home and shelter…and have it literally ripped from you,” she reflected. “There is nothing like feeling safe and feeling at home.”

The group is incredibly proud of their hometown of New Orleans. During the performance, they played with the kind of heart and passion that you can only find in the big easy.

Fans felt every emotion throughout their performance. Following the conclusion of their set, emcee Jess Pierce got the crowd chanting for more. If there was ever a band that needed an encore, it was Tank and the Bangas.

Writing as a housing advocate myself, I’ve seen the impact of Simpson Housing Services’ work firsthand. Their team is committed to addressing the systems that lock individuals out of home, and are steadfast to ensure all the people they serve are in a place of stability.

Seeing community members fill the Fillmore in Minneapolis for a good cause was empowering and unforgettable. If you are able, I highly encourage you to consider making a gift today to help Simpson Housing Services continue their good work.