You could sense the crowd’s growing restlessness as they waited for Jungle to grace the stage at Rockhal. Anticipating hung heavy in the air, and everyone knew they were in for a treat – what followed was a full-on immersive experience that encapsulates everything Jungle is about. This band, live, is on another level, and that evening was a testament to that.
Cue the entrance of big talents Josh Lloyd-Watson, Tom McFarl, and Lydia Kitto, who walked onto the stage with shades on, as you do. It didn’t take long for them to have the whole crowd in the palm of their hand as the Jungle madness kicked off instantly. We’re talking warm orange hues bathing the stage, reminiscent of a warm summer breeze weaving through the songs of their newest album, Volcano. We’re talking sexy baselines, crisp and clean tunes, and Lydia’s silky smooth falsetto, ringing through the music with effortless precision.
Everyone in that band plays their role – and they play it good. They have their stuff down to the last detail, delivering a performance is just so effortlessly cool. If you’re after a feeling of nostalgia, with a fresh, modern production twist on that 80s groove, then this British talent has you covered.
Something that particularly stood out was the interconnectedness Jungle managed to create among the crowd. Smiles were abundant, and almost no one was on their phones, despite most of the audience being in their 20s or 30s. It evoked a nostalgic feel of what concerts used to look like, before technology diluted the humanness of the concert experience. AKA if you’re not dancing, you’re not doing it right.
The crowd roared loudest when songs like “I’ve Been in Love” or “Back on 74” came through – tracks that epitomize the soul and groove on the album. The visuals that accompanied the whole concert were perfectly complementary – a 70s party filled with warmth and nostalgia, all while highlighting the band as a collective.
As the lights dimmed and the band took their final bow, leaving Rockhal felt like stepping out of a time machine – transported back from ‘74, pulse still racing after getting lost in the rhythm of the loud basslines. The performance left the crowd in a post-Jungle glow – radiant, and happy, with steps feeling a bit lighter than before, the kind of impression only masterful music can leave behind.