Concert Review: The John Wood Band Lights Up the Stage in Ybor City, Florida
- Amanda Igartua
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
The streets of Tampa's Ybor City are alive as the sun sets on this last Friday of the month. Tonight, the exciting John Wood Band rolls into the Zodiac Club to support the immensely talented band Twin Fin on their Kings of the Coast Tour. This six-piece ensemble brings fresh energy, cool vibes, and a unique sound to their performances. Tonight marks the second of three Florida stops, continuing to build their fan base and win over new audiences with every stage they step on.
Hailing from Wilmington, North Carolina, the John Wood Band has had quite an impressive first year. They hit the ground running and haven't looked back since playing their first show on September 13, 2025. Even more remarkable is the fact the band formed only a month earlier in August of 2025. Singer, songwriter, and guitarist John Wood realized after playing a few acoustic shows that what he really needed was a full band to bring the truest sound to the stage. Luckily, he didn’t have to look far, as the guys of the band were all friends and met while attending the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Brody Folkers on lead guitar, TJ Roy on tenor saxophone, Grant Harward on keys, Jay Eades on bass, and Caleb Dulin on drums are the exceptional musicians bringing the stage to life. The John Wood Band released their debut EP, "Chronology," on April 10, 2026, and have performed alongside gifted acts such as Congress, Winyah, Vegabonds, and Innlet, just to name a few. And for tonight, Ybor City gets to experience this momentum firsthand.
The Zodiac is packed as a sparkling blue Evans drum kit shines at center stage, framed by an array of instruments. The room fills with cheers as the John Wood Band takes the stage, wasting no time and kicking things off with "Loosen Up, Darling." Their sound is a harmonious blend of soulful melodies, blues, and rock, paired with subtle undertones of funk and laid-back island influences that instantly win the crowd over. John effortlessly leads the crowd through a dynamic set of original songs and ear-catching covers. His voice has a smooth earth-toned texture with natural grit, revealed at all the right moments. The song "Drama" truly highlights this sound. Rocking on a killer gold Gibson guitar, Brody captivates the crowd with his epic work on the fretboard, notably with the song "Into the Light." As a Sarasota native, this performance marks his hometown show, giving him the opportunity to perform in front of family and friends. TJ on tenor saxophone is one of the band's secret weapons, adding delicious melodies and textures to the night, especially on "Just a Little Longer."
Jay on a Fender four-string bass and Caleb behind an Evans drum kit provide the solid foundation upon which every song is able to build. Behind the keys for most of the night, Grant trades in his Nord Electro 6 keyboard for a Fender guitar on the song "Oh Madison" while John in turn hits the keys. The band surprises the crowd with standout renditions of Stevie Wonder's "Superstition," Mt. Joy's "Silver Lining," and Oasis's "Champagne Supernova," sending the room into a joyous, nostalgic sing-along. They close out the night with "Learn a Lesson," leaving quite the impression and solidifying their presence on the Zodiac stage before taking their final bow to a room of applause.
Though the John Wood Band has only just begun, tonight's performance cements their place as a genre-bending ensemble. The band's effortless chemistry and musicianship are evident from the first to the very last note. Each member playing such an integral role proves that the John Wood Band is not built on one individual but on the collective talents, visions, and friendship of six musicians from Wilmington, North Carolina.
Comments