Jungle blends soul and mystery in continuous NPR performance
The British trio performed seven songs back-to-back, shifting from 2018 hits to their latest 2025 single.
By Harper Collins ·
Jungle turned their Tiny Desk Concert into one long, unbroken groove. The British band played seven songs in a row without stopping. Frontman Josh Lloyd-Watson told the NPR audience, "We're gonna keep the music rolling." The group moved seamlessly from the 2018 track "Beat 54 (All Good Now)" into "Dominoes" from their 2023 album Volcano.
The trio of Tom McFarland, Lloyd-Watson, and Lydia Kitto has spent the past decade reshaping old soul and R&B styles. They keep the grooves warm and familiar. However, their sound often carries a thread of mystery and melancholy. This quality makes the music feel different from traditional vintage revivals.
The setlist mixed older hits with newer material. The band opened with "Someday, Somewhere." They followed that with the two tracks mentioned earlier. The performance then moved to "The Wave." This song deals with the struggle to hold on when things fall apart. The musicians maintained smiles throughout these performances, even while singing about faded dreams and dead-end infatuations.
The most energetic part of the show arrived about halfway through. The group showcased six-part harmonies on the 2025 single "Keep Me Satisfied." The performance of this track was described as stunning and infectious. It stood out as the most animated moment in the set.
The concert concluded with a moody, slow-burning version of "Back on 74." This was their breakout song from 2023. Before the final track, they performed "Casio." The song reflects on fading hopes. The band finished their set with this final, atmospheric number.
The full performance featured a larger ensemble behind the core trio. Lucy Kitto played keys and provided background vocals. Geo Jordan handled bass and background vocals. George Day played drums, and Will Fry contributed percussion. Kwaye added additional background vocals. The group’s fluid live style allowed songs to spill into one another, creating a continuous musical experience.
The Tiny Desk production team included producer Robin Hilton and director Maia Stern. Audio director Josh Newell mixed the sound. Executive producer Suraya Mohamed oversaw the project. The performance was captured by videographers Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, and Alanté Serene. Photographers Michael Zamora and Lexy Beale documented the session. The series was created by Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson, and Robin Hilton.
