Pity anyone who doesn’t know about Jungle, as the only explanation can be that the unknowing have been living under a rock.
But this group’s music — a refreshing contemporary blend of soul, disco, and funk — is exactly the antidote to bring any listener out of the darkness, lift their spirits and move their body.
Nearly 6,000 listeners experienced the Jungle effect in person at the Wharf in DC last week for what was a two-night, sold-out takeover of The Anthem and a party that anyone in attendance is unlikely to forget.
On back-to-back evenings, Jungle lit up the DMV’s most advanced venue, cramming nearly 30 songs into each set and energizing the many eager concertgoers who’d packed into the place.
For all the memorable nights of music The Anthem’s hosted in its early years, few have seen any artist or performer move the room the way Jungle set the groove the evening of Sept. 17, the first and original date before a second was eventually added to a current tour that runs all the way into March of next year.
Listen to the latest studio album from Jungle, Sunshine, released in mid-August:
Formed in London back in 2013 by two lifelong pals and producers, Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland, the two-man project eventually became a three-person ordeal in 2023 when vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Lydia Kitto was officially brought on board after touring with the pair for a couple years.
On Night 1 in DC last week, the group was filled out on stage by Geo Jordan on bass, Lucy Kitto on backing vocals and additional keyboards, KWAYE (Kwayedza Kureya) on backing vocals, George Day on drums, and Will Fry on percussion.
For anyone who has or has not yet taken in the videos made to accompany Jungle’s music, watch this one for the track “Come Back To Me” via the band’s official YouTube channel:
Though the group does not tour with the bevy of talented dancers who star in their stunning single-shot/one-take music videos, the group itself bopped all over The Anthem stage, switching positions and instruments, all seemingly in flow with the composition of each tune.
And the song choice in DC seemed unlimited. From the group’s latest studio album, Sunshine, and all the tracks that fans have already fallen in love with, to the very first breakthrough, “Busy Earnin’” from the Lloyd-Watson and McFarland’s self-titled 2014 premier album, those on hand Thursday shook their asses to hits from across the Jungle catalogue.
Along the way, the crowd was introduced to some of the band’s collaborators via a large digital screen that filled the back of the stage. “I’ve Been In Love” from the 2023 album Volcano featured footage of the track’s guest vocalist, rising hip-hop star Channel Tres, as did “Candle Flame,” a song from the same album led by popular rapper Erick the Architect.
Ticketholders boogied in every corner of the big building on Thursday night, from start to finish, some absolutely soaked in sweat. Some fans — seeking a second dose of the band — would return the next night to do it all over again.
Setlist
Smile
The Heat
Heavy, California
Beat 54 (All Good Now)
Problemz
The Wave
Keep Me Satisfied
Someday, Somewhere
Let’s Go Back
I’ve Been in Love
Come Back to Me
Sunshine
Candle Flame
Dominoes
Where Are You Now?
Move Like You Do
Casio
Back on 74
Drops
What D’You Know About Me
Time
Coming Back
Don’t Play
GOOD TIMES
All of the Time
Encore
Keep Moving
Busy Earnin’
Below are digital images of Jungle along with the night’s opening act, Rio Kosta, performing at The Anthem in Washington DC on Sept. 17, 2026. All photos copyright and courtesy of Casey Ryan Vock.
Jungle
Rio Kosta
