A Funky Night in the Basement!
The Jukebox Jam 2, presented by Jonathan Plevyak, transformed the Basement East into an ambiguously vintage night, blurring the decades into one groovy and exciting evening of fun. While some attendees wore poodle skirts and others sparkled in disco glam and go-go boots, it was a joyful cosplay of any time period besides one’s own (think variety show or decades dance.) Guests got flash tattoos courtesy of Nashville’s Sage and Serpent, hula hooped and snapped vintage Polaroids in an irresistible photo booth. True to Plevyak’s promise, it was a vintage-inspired party with intention, especially as he reminded the crowds to “stay off your phones” and “shake someone’s hand tonight.”
The opening act, Cam and the Tasty Soul, might just actually be the funkiest band in all the land, as Cam Gallagher so proudly proclaimed throughout the night. From the moment they pranced on stage, it felt less like a show and more like a “funk family reunion” — if your family happens to be ridiculously tight musicians. This friendly and easily excitable energy was immediately followed by layered sound with precision and enthusiasm. Featuring favorites, “Coffee” and “Boogieman”, the performance was lively and familiar, featuring standout vocals from Elijah Morman. The stage was buzzing during this set with a complete saxophone section and trumpets arriving on stage later. Cam and the Tasty Soul pranced off stage and ended their set dancing and playing with the audience. With this crew, there’s never a dull moment, which is just their mission of “community, unity and positivity.”
Bird and Byron shuffled onto the stage much edgier. The soul revival duo was charismatically melancholy with subtly vintage-inspired outfits.
Their performance was emotional, endearing and entirely impressive, opening their set with their song “Hurts When You Cry.” Blake Bergere (Bird) has a deeply emotive voice with an incredible timbre, easily earning the audience’s attention and empathy. Compared to the other acts of the night, Bird and Byron felt more inward facing, but what they lacked in on-stage interaction, they made up for with a cool detachment from the audience and deep focus on the profound emotions in the music. Couples switched from spinning one another to leaning and swaying side to side, taking it all in. Bird and Byron let the music do the heavy lifting, and the room listened.
Jonathan Plevyak and the Jukebox boys weren’t so subtle. Plevyak stood proudly like a scene from Grease with a Lover Boy smile plastered on his face because he is one, self-proclaimed, and in a way that might make your grandmother swoon.
Perfectly representing the whole event as they envisioned, the Jukebox Boys featured many special guest artists on stage, including , Art Fishing Club, Dylan Chambers, Kenny Sharp, Tabitha Meeks, and AJ & The Jiggawatts. There was no mistaking Plevyak’s love for the 1950s and ‘60s; his set was flawlessly curated to capture a bygone era, with enough self-awareness and energy to make it feel fresh.
The event truly was a jukebox of nostalgia, mixing exciting funk, heartfelt soul, and polished vintage rock and roll. It leaned fully into its theme without taking itself too seriously, always leaving space for laughter, dancing, and genuine connection. I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but I’m glad I showed up. In a world that often fears being too much or “cringe”, this night was a refreshing reminder that sometimes, it’s okay to just let go and dance.
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Alice Morgan is a Nashville-based writer, music enthusiast and social work student. In her free time, Alice enjoys hiking with her dogs, making overly specific playlist and sitting on patios with good people and good coffee.
