Detroit Party Marching Band
Bronx Bar
Detroit
Feb. 8, 2026
Imagine washing down a shot of Irish whiskey with a cold beer at your local bar and a full-on marching band storms in, breaking out into full song with the musicians dressed in steampunk-esque marching band attire. It’s obviously a loud affair, completely consuming the room. The energy they bring into a room is that is often unannounced and truly unmatched.
For 17 years, the Detroit Party Marching Band has been crashing the party in style. They did it Sunday night at Bronx Bar.
The band was founded in part as a tribute to second-line bands of New Orleans. Today, it borrows from that tradition but is truly a Detroit affair.
I hadn’t witnessed one of their musical invasions in years. Nearly two decades ago, they randomly performed at a house party I was throwing, entertaining guests and distracting cops who were getting ready to bust up our party. As they marched through the house and out the front door, the cops followed. Thanks so much for saving that party, Detroit Party Marching Band!
I finally got to catch them again with a special warm-up performance at the Bronx Bar over the weekend. The band was en route to Motor City Brewing Works, a beloved local brewery and pizza spot that was closing its doors over the weekend (more on that in another Midbrow piece).
The bar was buzzing with patrons as the Detroit Party Marching Band ripped into a take on “Coisa Boa” by Brazilian musician Gloria Groove. It was like ska with Detroit muscle behind it, transfixing the crowd for just a few minutes before the band marched on, taking their magic down the street.
Sometimes, the Detroit Party Marching Band performs proper gigs where you can schedule your day around seeing them perform, with at least a handful of members that have been rocking with the group since all the way back in 2009.
It’s the absolute best, however, to catch them in the wild. Keep your eyes (and ears) open.
