Join us this year as we celebrate Funk Fest, part of the Amplified Series sponsored by the City of Dayton.

Funk Amplified Lineup:

• 5:45 p.m. Freakquency
• 6:45 p.m. Plazmatic
• 8 p.m. The Bar-Kays

The Bar-Kays – Despite unimaginable obstacles, the Bar-Kays have endured as one of the longest-running funk and soul groups of all time. They began in Memphis, Tennessee, as a studio session group, backing major artists at Stax Records like Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes.

The bands would go on to have dozens of charting singles from the 1960s to the 19080s, including “Soul Finger: (US Billboard Hot 100 number 17, R&B number 3) in 1967, “Son of Shaft” (R&B number 10) in 1972, and “Boogie Body Land” (R&B number 7) in 1980.)

The Bar-Kays were inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2015; and have endured as one of the longest-running funk and soul groups ever.

Plazmatic – Plazmatic is a Cincinnati-based band specializing in captivating live performances with high production value. The band is currently booking regional festivals, shows, and private events while establishing themselves as a first-call group in the regional jam scene.

The group has performed at some of Cincinnati’s premier venues including Madison Live, Radio Artifact, and the Woodward Theater, while also performing in the broader region. The group has also been called on for major regional events (Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, FC Cincinnati games) and music festivals (Kinda Spoopy, Rislofest).

The band, whose style draws heavily from golden-era funk, the modern jam scene, as well as rock and jazz, released their EP “Midnight Somewhere” in May 2025. The group’s sound is defined by thick grooves and improvisation over non-traditional song structures. The band’s unforgettable live shows blend original compositions, funky covers, improvisational jams, and a knack for getting audiences to dance.

Freakquency – Freakquency is a “Funk Fusion” band from Dayton, Ohio that started in 2015. It has existed in various iterations since then, but the finalized quartet of musicians was set in 2022. Freakquency’s music is as varied as the backgrounds of its musicians; from hip hop and R&B, to jazz and blues, to metal and hardcore, and of course Dayton funk, all blended to make killer music! Freakquency shows could charitably be described as a “rollercoaster”, going from smooth, to heavy, to dance, but ALWAYS funky. This combination led Freakquency to win the Dayton Battle Of The Bands in 2024! Call the music whatever you like, but it is undeniably and always Freakquency.