British band Jungle brought its signature blend of funk, soul, and dance music to Austin’s Moody Center, delivering an electrifying concert that kept fans dancing from start to finish.

Arena shows can be a mixed bag when it comes to an audience and a performer.

Oftentimes, at least on their first attempt, arena acts struggle to make the jump to a much larger room and connect with more people. As far as audiences go, the larger the room, usually the more people who are sitting, talking, doing anything but watching the show in front of them.

That was not the case at all for Jungle, who played their largest Austin headline show to date at Moody Center on Thursday, Sept. 24 and turned the arena into Austin’s largest discotheque for an evening.

Hailing from Britain, Jungle has been releasing consistently great blends of dance, soul, and funk for 13 years now. While they always had a certain level of popularity in the dance and indie space, they finally broke through to the mainstream in 2023 when their song “Back on 74” went viral on TikTok. 

Inside the arena Thursday night, there was one common goal between band and audience: dance. From the barricade to the highest rows of the upper deck, it was tough to not find someone at least nodding their head. 

For an hour and 45 minute long headline set, the band paced it incredibly well, and the show’s energy made it feel like it was flying by, only really slowing down one time for the song “Drops,” which did conclude with a raucous breakdown. 

As a live band, Jungle is incredibly tight; the harmonies elevate songs like “Beat 54 (All Good Now)” and “All Of The Time” to new heights, and the recent addition of Lydia Kitto to the band as a third vocalist fits like a glove.  

Rio Kosta, who opened the show, was also a perfect fit, full of Latin percussion and psychedelic-flavored guitars.

Rio Kosta returned to Austin on Oct. 4 and 11 to play the Tito’s Handmade Vodka Tent at ACL Festival. 

Jungle toured through the United States until Oct. 10, finishing at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

If you want to lose yourself to dance, check your troubles at the front door and just groove for an evening, a Jungle show should be in your future. 

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Andrew Watters is a writer, photographer, and die-hard Red Raider currently living in Kyle, Texas. When he’s not at a concert or at home, you’re most likely to find him in a record store or searching for another stamp in his Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ Joints passport book.