“Most Outstanding Group”
-Chicago Music Awards
“Best World Music Group”
-Chicago Reader
Help Us Record the Next Chapter
Celebrating 30 Years of Funkadesi in 2026
In our 30th anniversary year, we’re returning to the studio for our first full-length album in over 15 years. Independent music requires community support, and we’re inviting you to help bring this milestone project to life.
Studio sessions begin at the end of March. Your contribution helps fund recording, production, artwork, and behind-the-scenes documentation.
Celebrating 30 years in 2026, Funkadesi is beginning their year-long celebration with signature shows, workshops, and a return to the studio — CLICK HERE to support that effort!
Funkadesi has been wowing crowds with their blend of Indian bhangra, Bollywood & folk with reggae, funk, and Afro-Caribbean grooves, Funkadesi emphatically personifies inclusive joy. Winner of Chicago Music Award for Most Outstanding Group, Chicago-based Funkadesi delivers a virtuoso high energy musical experience. With members who are unprecedentedly diverse (Indian-American, African-American, Jamaican, Latino, and European-American), their music expresses their motto: “One family, many children. . . . Insisting we all belong.”
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES & WORKSHOPS:
2026 SHOWS & WORKSHOPS:
Sat, March 7 Funkadesi at Martyrs’, 7pm doors, 8pm show. All ages. Come out to one of our favorite back-in-the-day venues!
Funkadesi Headlines Main St. Fair
Sat June 27th 7-8:30pm
Main St. & Chicago Ave, Evanston
Sun June 28th 2-5pm, 18th St. Casa de Cultura
FREE, space limited
JUST ANNOUNCED: Funkadesi on Taste of Chicago Main Stage
Thursday, July 9 6-6:40pm
Funkadesi Bollywood Jam Band Featuring Pavithra Anand
enjoy the desi side of Funkadesi with a global jam band sound
Thursday, August 13 6-8pm
A 30th Anniversary Celebration: Funkadesi at Fitzgerald’s
Sat, Aug 29th 7:30pm doors, 8:30pm show
Funkadesi at Krannert Center
Thursday, September 3rd, 8-9pm, Stage Six
Funkadesi at Camp Bullfrog
Sept 26 Deets TBA
Save the Dates: 30th Anniversary Final Celebration
Dec 4-5, deets TBA!
Thank you family, friends, and fans for the Chicago Reader "Best of 2023" award for "Best World Music Group," and consecutive Chicago Music Awards "Most Outstanding Group" honors!
“There’s a lot of funk in that desi!”
– Barack Obama
“Funkadesi knows how to be fun and accessible, while grooving your socks off with their
reggae / Bhangra / roots music brew.”
– Latin Beat Magazine, Los Angeles
Photos courtesy of TEDx Chicago
Funkadesi on the TEDx Chicago stage
leading the TEDx crowd in a guided meditation with live improvised music.
Funkadesi had the honor of leading the TEDxChicago crowd through a guided visualization set to live music, followed by a performance. All band members are gifted healers, educators, and community advocates who are passionate about combining entertainment with education, experiential learning, and becoming better global citizens. Learn more about interactive workshops here.
Flashback to Our 25th Anniversary
In December of 2021, Funkadesi turned 25! Here’s a snippet of a feature documentary we showed that year, as part of the grand celebration! Thanks to filmmaker Sree Nallamothu for this collaboration!