Hit The North Festival returned for its 2nd year in a row taking place on the 6th May. The Festival also featured an Opening Party with the choice of three gigs (Jungle, Circa Waves or Drenge). We went to see modern soul band ‘Jungle’ at Newcastle Boilershop who are embarking on a current UK Tour. Here’s our review.  

The gig was also supported by the wonderful Rae Morris. Rae first came to prominence as part of the live setup of band Bombay Bicycle Club, before developing a solo career. She performed many off her recent 2nd album ‘Someone Out There”, dressed in sportswear, Rae an energetic performer and one who really warmed up the crowd.

The headliners Jungle arrived on stage to rapturous cheers from the audience. The gig formed as part of their UK Tour and was also part of the Opening Party for Newcastle city centre based festival ‘Hit The North’. 

The stage was impressive, with a giant board behind the band made out of lights. The band opened with before the song Smile before crowd favourite’s Julia and The Heat. The bands first self album titled ‘Jungle’ was released in 2014, and the band had a spate of new material to drip feed into the set to give the audience a taster of the new album

We had new songs such as Happy Man, Casio, Cherry, House in LA, Beat 54. The standout off the evening was the penultimate song Busy Earnin’ which had the crowd frantically grooving along to the funky tune.

The band returned for a final song Encore, to play Time off their debut album. Undoubetly a great warm up for Hit The North Festival and those going to watch Jungle on their UK Tour are in for a stunning gig.

Jungle released two new singles on the 7th May, Happy Man and House In LA. Please check tour dates for current tour availability. 

By Tom Holynski

Setlist by Setlist.FM