So, since Cool as Folk, I’ve joined what might just become a revolution and am a big fan of Jeremy Loops. Last Friday he played a bursting-at-the-seams show at Knoxville along with a few friends/guest musicians and it was crazy cool. I even got to do a (rather mentally-challenged) rooster impression into the mic…

I’d only been to Knoxville once before and that was ages ago after leaving the Ocean Basket downstairs. That time it was early, so there was nothing happening upstairs, but I thought the space seemed pretty cool.

Returning last Friday I hardly recognised the place – it was packed and buzzing. One look at the ‘performance area’ (a small patch of floor cordoned off by monitor speakers) told me they don’t usually have live musicians at the venue and made me instantly curious about how the evening would pan out…

Somewhere round 10pm Mr Loops took to the ‘stage’ and started the show. The place was full to bursting and people who were at the back were even standing on the bar for a better view. It was crazy full and really hot but everyone was having a great time.

The ‘& Co’ part of the line-up consisted of emcee Trak, saxophonist Jamie Faull, Machineri’s guitarist Andre Geldenhuys and multi-bandist Andrew Winer, playing the melodica (I think that’s what it’s called…). I really enjoyed the added instruments, particularly Andre’s electric guitar which added some heaviness to the music.

They played for 2 hours, it was intense – so intense that at one point, one guy actually Spidermanned out the window and disappeared into the night…I assume he landed on the canopy below but have no idea. The highlight of the night for me has gotta be when Jeremy turned the mic on the crowd looking for some farm animal noises and the tiny chick he chose first screamed to high heaven into the mic – the reactions around the room were priceless.

My only criticisms are that it got a little long towards the end…and Baker Street was pretty weird…and I could’ve done without the rather bizarre duet with the 2 girls from the crowd. But overall a really awesome evening and an experience I highly recommend.

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Check out Jeremy Loops & Co on Facebook and be sure to catch them live!

Photos on Facebook over here