Jinja Safari on nature’s large stage
Jinja Safari’s music is a joyous kind of woodland pop, with sweet lyrics, an irresistible drum beat and plenty of heart. But it’s their live shows where the magic truly comes to life.
Performing before a packed-out crowd at The Metro on Friday night, Jinja Safari brought their signature blend of untamed energy, wide-eyed optimism and glee to the stage.
The boys kicked off the night with Hiccups (“Paper cups and nervous hiccups!”), an insatiably catchy tune that sent the crowd stamping and swaying in excitement.
A number of tracks from the band’s Locked By Land compilation followed, including “Moonchild”, “Sunken House” and “Forrest Eyes”. Their most recent single, “Toothless Grin”, was an audience favourite, as was the playfully whimsical tune “Peter Pan”.
Whilst many of Jinja Safari’s tracks share a similar sound and vibe, the band’s infectious energy guarantees that each song is still fresh and surprising.
The Jinja boys followed OH&S laws a little more closely than last year’s performance at the Metro, when keyboardist Cameron scaled a wall of amps and swung from the rafters of the stage like a monkey. This time round, Cameron still managed to leap atop a tower of amps and thrash his keytar in the air.
The always-charming lead singer Marcus was also met with multiple requests for marriage from ladies in the crowd (even I admit to screaming “Marry me Marcus” at one point in the night).
The encore saw the Jinja boys bound back on stage, without shirts and shoes, like fully fledged woodland creatures for the finale “Mermaids”.
Jinja Safari’s show was a delightfully joyful experience, and I’m already counting down the days until I see them at Falls Festival for New Year’s.
Jinja Safari
17 August, The Metro Theatre
