AUSTIN CITY LIMITS-CIMAFUNK & THE TRIBE Premieres NOV. 12 (PBS) -“Afro-Cuban Funk Sensations Thrill in Ecstatic Hour”
“a churning cyclone of sound …an ecstatic blur of hard funk, island rhythms and copious swagger. one of the most euphoric sets in “ACL” history. a performance that cements Cimafunk’s status as a rising global phenom” –Austin Statesman
Austin City Limits (ACL) fans will be on their feet for a supercharged hour showcasing Afro-Cuban funk sensation Cimafunk. Hailing from Havana Cuba, the celebrated showman and his eight-piece powerhouse band, The Tribe, make a thrilling ACL debut with standouts from Cimafunk’s acclaimed album El Alimento. The new installment rounds out the first half of ACL’s Season 48 and premieres November 12 at 8pm CT/9pm ET. The complete line-up for the full broadcast season will be announced shortly, with new episodes premiering beginning January 7, 2023. The program, recorded live at ACL’s studio home in Austin, Texas, continues its run as the longest-running music television show in history, providing viewers a front-row seat to the best in live performance for 48 years as the music institution nears a remarkable half-century milestone. ACL airs weekly on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings) and full episodes are made available to stream online at pbs.org/austincitylimits immediately following the initial broadcast. The show’s official hashtag is #acltv.
In a remarkable ACL debut, Cimafunk & The Tribe deliver an electric, unique blend of high-energy funk, Caribbean rhythms and Afrobeat. Cimafunk and his band are earning raves for their incredible live performances tearing up stages across the globe. The freewheeling set explodes with a spectacular James Brown-influenced rhythm for the blazing “Relajao,” with Cimafunk flexing his dazzling vocals and radiant starpower alongside dance moves from percussionists Big Happy and Machete, a finger-busting bass solo from Caramelo, horns (and backing vocals) from Hilaria and Katy Cacao, and a merciless groove from drummer Dr. Zapa. “Put your hands up!” Cimafunk exclaims as he introduces “Funk Aspirin,” the band’s collaboration with funk legend George Clinton which opens 2021’s widely-hailed El Alimento. “Never forget,” the sweat-soaked Cimafunk laughs as the set reaches a fever pitch, “Shake that booty!” They close with “Me Voy,” the 2018 hit that made Cimafunk a household name in Cuba, bringing lucky audience members onstage and taking the groove to the next level.
“Cimafunk’s ACL debut was breathtaking,” says ACL executive producer Terry Lickona “He barely took a breath himself, and for that matter neither did the crowd, which was too busy dancing and screaming themselves. It was one of those rare shows where the performer and audience literally came together as one.”
“Austin is starting to feel like home away from home, and I wanted to bring the energy to Austin City Limits,” says Cimafunk. “It got really funky and sweaty in there with a lot of groove!”
Cimafunk & The Tribe
LA PAPA
SALVAJE
SE ACABO
BEAT CON FLOW
APRETADO
RELAJAO
FUNK ASPIRIN
ME VOY
Watch live on PBS, or stream anytime. The complete line-up for the full 14-week season, including seven new episodes to air beginning January 2023, will be announced at a later date. The series will continue to air fan-favorite encore episodes through the end of 2022. Viewers can visit acltv.com for news regarding episode schedules, future tapings and select live stream updates or by following ACL on Facebook, Twitter and IG. Fans can also browse the ACL YouTube channel for exclusive songs, behind-the-scenes videos and full-length artist interviews.
Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits (ACL) offers viewers unparalleled access to featured acts in an intimate setting that provides a platform for artists to deliver inspired, memorable, full-length performances. Now in its 48th Season, the program is taped live before a concert audience from The Moody Theater in downtown Austin. Austin City Limits is the longest-running music series in television history and remains the only TV series to ever be awarded the National Medal of Arts. Since its inception, the groundbreaking music series has become an institution that’s helped secure Austin’s reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World. The historic Austin PBS Studio 6A, home to 36 years of ACL concerts, has been designated an official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Landmark. In 2011, ACL moved to the new venue ACL Live at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin. ACL received a rare institutional Peabody Award for excellence and outstanding achievement in 2012.
Austin City Limits is produced by Austin PBS and funding is provided in part by Dell Technologies, Workrise, the Austin Convention Center Department, Cirrus Logic and AXS Ticketing. Additional funding is provided by the Friends of Austin City Limits. Learn more about Austin City Limits, programming and history at acltv.com.
