Following their exciting trip to the USA to play at SXSW in Texas, The Jungle Giants kicked off yet another tour around the nation’s capital cities, enlightening the band’s young, obsessive fans with their fun indie-pop flare and enticing stage presence.
Fellow Brisbane chums Millions appeared on stage in their classic matching attire to warm the crowd up. This time however, the four-piece were dressed completely in white, wearing questionably tasteful turtlenecks and button-ups.
The band soothed the crowd of restless adolescence into a swaying congregation with their loved song, ‘Slow Burner’. The timeless sound of garage rock, infused with bluesy elements, fits firmly into the charming realm of Brit-rock and impressed the audience. They ended with their hit track ‘Nineteen’, sending everyone into an inevitable frenzy.
Deafening screams of pre-pubescent fans filled the packed-out room, obviously indicating the emergence of The Jungle Giants. The incredibly cool quartet opened with the popular ‘Mr. Polite’, proving to be a suitable choice; the punters of the sold out show physically shook the entire theatre with excitement.
They continued to please the vibrant, rowdy audience with tracks ‘Come And Be Alone With Me’ and ‘Domesticated Man’, leaving the bodies of punters aching as a result of the continuous clapping and uncontrollable dancing.
Launching into a mellow intro of the slower-paced song ‘Home’, fans were able to experience the very pleasant vocals of Sam Hales. Almost an acoustic rendition, the singer’s voice stood alone with the guitar before the gradual energy of the other instruments caught up to produce the punchy choruses they are known for.
The frontman even found the courage to trust the trembling sea of hands of youngsters to carry him across the venue. He plummeted through the crowd before returning on stage sweaty and disoriented, continuing to play the hit single from the band’s debut album, Learn To Exist – ‘I Am What You Want Me To Be’.
Before treating the eager, sweaty fans with another track, Hales took some time to introduce Andrew Dooris, Keelan Bijker, and of course Cesira Aitken, as the room of fangirls and boys cheered in appreciation. “Marry me Cesira!” a punter proudly screamed out from the crowd.
As soon as the opening chords for ‘She’s A Riot’ played, the crowd members were sent into a further frenzy of dance and joy. The band’s energy had not deteriorated from the beginning of their set, a factor that allowed them to maintain an ecstatic atmosphere throughout the entire night.
“Thanks so much for having us Sydney,” Hales sincerely said before the indie outfit proceeded to leave the stage.
It wasn’t too long before the young rockers were back again to delight the crowd once more with an encore. The song started off with an extended intro, playing psychedelic sounds and building up anticipation before kicking off with another favourite, ‘Skin To Bone’.
It was obvious that the indie outfit were having a good time, as Hales managed to engage with the punters by wildly dancing on the shoulder’s of their mates.
The crowd refused to believe that was their last song, still waiting for them to comeback after leaving the stage for a second time.
The Jungle Giants have toured around the country numerous times with only one album under their sleeve. It would’ve been nice to see them play more of their classic tracks from their EPs, such as ‘Like A Weight’ or ‘No One Needs To Know’.
Despite the somewhat safe setlist, the band produced a night to remember for all the youngins, who will go back to school and make everyone else envious of that Friday night, when they saw The Jungle Giants.
