LIVE REVIEW: George and the Jungle @ Kazimier Stockroom, Liverpool

Following the recent release of their debut single ‘Coffee Cups’, the five-piece George and the Jungle headed to the Kazimier Stockroom for a night of funk-infused fun. Based in Liverpool, this band combines groovy basslines with punctuated saxophone solos in their infectious live performances. 

Photo Credit: @florintein

The night kicked off with the 8-piece band P.S.M merging sonic layers of violin, tuba, flute, and breathy enchanting vocals, reminiscent of the chaos of Black Country New Road. Next up was the instrumental 6-piece Cerebellum, whose upbeat jamming and turn-taking solos launched the audience into good spirits for the headline act to come. 

Then, accompanied by flashing lights, anthemic drums, and cheers from the crowd, George and the Jungle took to the stage. The band's affinity for performing was made immediately clear from their first track ‘Beans’, encouraging the audience to share their infectious love for music. With Josh Philips on alto sax and Leon Storer on tenor sax, electric and often sensual sounds spearheaded their discography, with the opening three tracks showcasing exciting and energetic funk.

The fourth track ‘It’s Not Easy’, introduced the added element of vocals from George Gaskell, reminiscent of 90s and 2000s Indie bands like Weezer and The Strokes. Short but punchy, this track is structured around a repeating chorus, allowing the instruments to speak for themselves in the places where verses might usually be. For their sixth track ‘Life in the Glass’ (written by Gaskell’s uncle), the band slowed to a more soulful melody featuring a bluesy saxophone solo from Leon Storer. 

Photo Credit: @florintein

Later on, the standout feel-good anthems ‘I Wanna Love You’ and ‘Coffee Cups’ were played, with audience members bopping and chanting along as enthusiastically as the band themselves. The crowd danced to the end as the encore song ‘Funky One’ lived up to its name, with Gaskell encouraging us to crouch to the floor then jump up as the beat dropped. Leaving sweatier than we had entered, the night was indeed, as Gaskell himself described, “worth leaving the house for”.