Recap: Jinja Safari @ UniBar

With lions, tigers, bears and a parrot lurking through the UniBar Jungle Party, the scene was set for the addictive tribal pop melodies of Jinja Safari. The crowd were wrapped up in the happiness of a post-exams party, waiting to be transported out of their concrete jungle and in to a real one.

With supporting sets by Nova & The Experience and Vanguard Party, the scene was perfectly set for Jinja Safari, who made their way on stage to screams, applause and improvised table drumming. And from the moment they started, the magic didn’t stop.

The band worked their tribal magic over the crowd, and with every new song it was like another concrete pillar was transformed in to a tree, and another section of the crowd transported to a different place and time.

Fairies and hunters danced together like graceful Cree Indians around a fire, arms aloft and spread like an eagle as they circled their way across the dance floor, to the beautiful offerings of the band. As the addictive tribal pop of the band coursed its way through the crowd, creeping towards the crescendo we could all feel approaching, like an end you wanted to have, but never wanted to arrive, it was clear something special was going to happen.

The anticipation rose, waiting for what we knew was going to be something. And then before we knew it, it was happening, the crowd were on stage dancing with the band, like an ancient rain dance around a fire, and then the band were crowd surfing on a boogie board, turning their own little jungle in their own little ocean of support.

And even though the boys from Jinja Safari are gone from the 'Gong for a while, they have left a little bit of jungle at the UniBar, and a little bit of themselves in all of the people and animals there.

Photos: Andrea Hogan