Concert Review: Jacoozy - Still Afloat Tour in Knoxville, TN
- Tessa Brainard
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Jacoozy - Still Afloat Tour promotional flyer // Band members left to right: Killian Wright, Will Fentress, Isaac McMurry, Pauly Scott and Ramon Garcia
The Bijou Theater in Knoxville, TN, was abuzz with the hope for a good show. It was Halloween, after all, and while most people could have been out at a costume party or hitting the bars down the street, the audience had chosen to spend their evening with bands Frute, Jacoozy and headliner Big Something.
Jacoozy is a five-member jam band hailing from Boone, NC, now based in Asheville. The band consists of guitarists Killian Wright and Will Fentress, drummer Pauly Scott, keyboardist Isaac McMurry and bassist Ramon Garcia. Together, they create a tight, electrifying sonic experience that leaves listeners breathless.
I specifically came to Knoxville to see Jacoozy’s show (and to hang out with my friends in my college town on my favorite holiday). Their set consisted of five tracks, including songs from their new album, Still Afloat, as well as a few older tracks for more seasoned fans.
As much as I love listening to them on Spotify, Jacoozy are at their best when in front of an audience. “Don’t Leave Nothin’ Behind” was first on the setlist. As I mentioned in my review of Still Afloat, this is a perfect opening number, both for the record and their live performance. Each member of the band was given the chance to showcase their talents. From vocals to keys, bass to drums, it was easy to appreciate each sound individually and as a unit.
The set then moved into “Hurry,” which was one song I was most excited to hear live. From the first note, the song takes off into an intricate guitar section that puts Wright and Fentress’s expertise at the forefront. Additionally, as someone who fully believes the drummer can make or break a band, Scott’s sound was the heart and soul of this track, and he continued to shine through the entire set.
“Hurry” fully lived up to the expectations I had in my head, and the other members of the audience seemed to enjoy it just as much as I did. I looked up to the seating section above me to see a group of people on their feet, jamming so hard to this song that my friends and I were afraid they might fall from the balcony.
The audience on the floor was also fully hooked by this point, dancing around in their Halloween costumes. The members of Jacoozy were dressed for the occasion as an ensemble of WWE wrestlers, and the stage was decorated with headstones and glowing candles. These details contributed to the upbeat atmosphere and the magic of the holiday.
Left to right: Fentress, Scott, Wright and Garcia (McMurry was out of frame for this photo)
Next up was “Cold Hearted,” a track from their self-titled 2022 EP. A song lamenting about a connection gone cold, this song is all too relatable for some of us. This was a moment for the group’s vocals to shine. With all members lending their voices throughout their discography, their harmonies were particularly polished during this number.
“Spilling” was another stand-out of the night, with McMurry carrying much of the latter half of the song on his keyboard. While a typically underrated instrument, it was hard to overlook the keys with McMurry’s raw talent behind them.
The final song on the setlist was “Blinds”, released as a single back in 2024. This song was another highlight for the group’s vocals and lyrical storytelling. After the first few minutes, it blended into a soothing instrumental section that quickly picked up into a funky, upbeat rhythm enhanced by Garcia’s bass. For the occasion, this portion of the song was mixed with the iconic theme song from the movie Halloween.
The band was in perfect sync during the whole night, and by the end, all the audience members wanted more. The entire set was a chance to get lost in the sound and move like no one else was in the room. As a bit of a jam band virgin, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started listening to Jacoozy at a friend’s recommendation last year. However, I fell in love with their sound, and as expected, the live show more than lived up to their studio recordings. As this was my first official jam show, the only disappointment I felt afterward was that Jacoozy’s set wasn’t longer. I'm excited to see them again and expand my knowledge of this genre in the future.
I was able to chat with Wright and McMurry after the show, and (after they both apologized for not playing my favorite Jacoozy track, “Early”), McMurry mentioned the potential for shows on the West Coast, including my home state of Arizona. Who knows what the future holds, but with a group as solid as this, anything is possible. Until then, Jacoozy will be playing shows throughout the greater South East to close out the end of 2025, and “Still Afloat” is available on streaming platforms now.
Written By Tessa Brainard
*copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.
