You’ve seen the TikTok clips of the 24K Magic tour—the synchronized steps, the gold chains, the effortless cool. But if you think it’s just a solo act with some hired guns in the back, you’re missing the entire point of why Bruno Mars is currently the biggest touring force on the planet. Honestly, the relationship between Bruno Mars and the band, known formally as The Hooligans, is less like a pop star and his employees and more like a brotherhood that hasn't changed much since they were playing dive bars in Los Angeles.
It’s rare. Most pop stars swap out musicians like they’re changing outfits. One year it’s a rock-focused drummer, the next it’s a synth-heavy keyboardist. But with the Hooligans, what you see is a unit that has stayed remarkably intact for over a decade.
The Secret Sauce of the Hooligans
What most people get wrong is thinking these guys just showed up after the Grammys started rolling in. Kinda the opposite. Many of them were there when Bruno was getting dropped by Motown and struggling to pay rent.
Take Eric "E-Panda" Hernandez, for instance. He isn't just a world-class drummer; he's Bruno’s older brother. They’ve been playing together since they were kids in their father’s 1950s-style revue show in Hawaii. That kind of "blood harmony" rhythm is something you can’t rehearse. You either have it or you don't. When the drums and the vocals are that locked in, the rest of the band has no choice but to follow suit.
Then there’s Philip Lawrence. If Bruno is the face, Philip has long been the right hand. He’s the guy you see right next to Bruno on the mic, hyping the crowd and hitting those impossible harmonies. Philip isn't just a backup singer; he's a co-writer on almost every hit that made Bruno a household name. He actually stepped away from touring for a bit around 2018 to focus on family, but by 2022, the lure of the stage brought him back. Seeing them together again feels like the world is right.
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The Current Lineup (As of 2026)
While some faces have shifted slightly over the years, the core remains the "old guard." If you catch them on their 2026 dates, here is the crew typically holding it down:
- Eric Hernandez: Drums (The heartbeat).
- Jamareo Artis: Bass (The man responsible for that "Uptown Funk" groove).
- Phredley Brown: Keyboards and Musical Director (He’s the one who arranges those complex live medleys).
- Philip Lawrence: Backing vocals and "Chief Hype Officer."
- Kameron Whalum: Trombone (Part of the legendary horn section).
- Dwayne Dugger: Saxophone.
- James King: Trumpet.
- John Fossitt: Keyboards.
Basically, this isn't just a "backing band." They are a funk machine.
Why the "No Phones" Policy Actually Works
If you’ve been to a show recently, you know the drill. You get a little Yondr pouch, you lock your phone inside, and you spend the next two hours actually looking at the stage instead of a six-inch screen. People complain about it at first. They want the Instagram story. They want the blurry video of "Versace on the Floor."
But here is why Bruno Mars and the band insist on it: the show is interactive. The Hooligans aren't just standing behind music stands reading charts. They are part of the choreography. They are shouting back at the audience. When the crowd isn't distracted by their cameras, the energy in the room spikes. It’s a feedback loop. The band plays better because the crowd is louder, and the crowd is louder because the band is feeding them that raw, analog energy.
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The Silk Sonic Shift
For a while, everyone thought the Hooligans might be a thing of the past when Bruno teamed up with Anderson .Paak for the Silk Sonic project. It was a different vibe—very 70s studio session, very silky. It was great, don't get me wrong. But there was a noticeable sigh of relief from the fanbase when Bruno returned to his solo touring roots with the full Hooligan squad in tow.
There’s a specific "Hooligan sound" that Silk Sonic didn't quite have. It’s a bit punchier. It’s a bit more aggressive. It’s the difference between a late-night lounge set and a Super Bowl halftime show.
The Hardest Working Horn Section in Showbiz
Let’s talk about the horns for a second. Kameron Whalum, Dwayne Dugger, and James King. In most pop acts, the horn parts are triggered by a computer. Not here. These guys are doing "The James Brown" levels of work. They are dancing, they are playing, and they are doing it all in suits that look like they cost more than my car.
The level of athleticism required to hit a high note on a trumpet while doing a side-step in sync with three other people is something most fans overlook. It’s the reason their live shows feel so "expensive." You are seeing real human effort in real-time.
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What's Next for the Hooligans?
With the 2026 release of Bruno's new solo material, the band is reportedly leaning into a more "vintage rock and soul" sound. Rumors from the rehearsal spaces in LA suggest that the next tour will feature even longer instrumental jams, giving the individual members more time in the spotlight.
It’s a smart move. After decades of being the "Hooligans," these guys are celebrities in their own right among the die-hard fans. You’ll see people in the front row with signs for Jamareo or Eric, not just Bruno. That's how you know a band has truly made it. They aren't just shadows; they are the substance.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning on catching Bruno Mars and the band live this year, keep these tips in mind to get the most out of the experience:
- Arrive early for the "Lock-Up": The phone pouch process can take time. Don't miss the opening jam because you were stuck in the Yondr line.
- Watch the Bassist: If you want to understand why the songs feel so "heavy" live, keep your eyes on Jamareo Artis. His pocket is what makes the whole room move.
- Check the Horn Section: During the bridge of "Runaway Baby," the horns usually have a "battle" or a choreographed breakdown that is never exactly the same twice.
- Support the Solo Projects: Many of the Hooligans, like Philip Lawrence and Phredley Brown, have their own music or production companies. Following them on social media gives you a much deeper look into the technical side of the Bruno Mars machine.