Photos and review: Dameeka Middleton

Just when you think your favourite 2000s rock bands is finished, Melbourne rockers JET go on a national tour to show us they do indeed still rock!

Celebrating their 20th anniversary, the favourite Aussie band gave revellers the revival they didn’t know they needed at The Station on Saturday night.

Taking over the Birtinya live music, skate and food market precinct, punters were treated to JET‘s most iconic album “Get Born”, played in its entirety.

Before parting ways in 2012, JET was a stronghold in the Australian music scene, with hits “Roll Over DJ”, “Look What You’ve Done”, and “Are You Gonna Be My Girl”, becoming an overnight staple for Aussie teens.

Their chart-topping album had the perfect measure of hard-rock anthems, singalongs, and heartfelt love songs, sure to win over any music fan.

Welcoming staff and a sea of leather jackets

Greeted by The Station’s warm and friendly staff, I ventured into the former Nightquarter precinct, among a sea of leather-clad fans, who were hurriedly putting on their entry wristbands and filling the bandroom early.

Outside, the more experience concert-dwellers took their time to sip drinks and browse the plentiful food options offered out of the venue’s famous shipping-containers-turned-street-food-vendors.

Melbourne-based psychedelic rock trio Super American Eagle jumped straight in to do their job as support act, warming up the crowd and setting the tone for the epic rock show ahead.

Check out our gallery of Super American Eagle @ The Station 25/05/24:

The band has a slew of famous faces in their lineup, including Brent DeBoer on drums (The Dandy Warhols), Dave Mudie on bass (Courtney Barnett drummer), and Robert Harrow (Immigrant Union) on guitar/lead vocals.

They manipulate a sound akin to the old Tame Impala albums, with a mix of primitive riffs similar to Black Sabbath, all complemented by Robert’s fuzz-filtered vocals, which are somewhat reminiscent of Brisbane’s Full Flower Moon Band.

Playing to a large number of early arrivals, Super American Eagle’s infectious grooves and melodies prove too much for JET‘s legions of fans who begin pushing towards the stage hoping to snag a solid vantage point.

JET appears from the shadows with new look

Emerging from the dark clouds of the smoke machine, a slightly more mature lineup was now in our midst.

Gone were the Brit-rock comb-overs and leather-clad outfits, with JET instead appearing in something a bit more casual.

In a mix of bandanas, bomber jackets, and a “scruffy beard – don’t care” attitude from famous frontman Nic Cester, the boys proved they only get better with age.

Striking into, “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is”, from their second studio album, die-hards joined them word-for-word, as JET‘s new swagger amplified throughout the venue.

When the boys strummed the opening chords to a couple of tracks from their “Shaka Rock” album, I think they were really showing us that any speculation of being “one hit wonders” was a misnomer.

Beaming with nostalgia, fans roared when Nic pulled out his famous tambourine, and we immediately knew which song they were about to play.

“Are You Gonna Be My Girl” is the song that started it all, and you could tell the boys loved performing it, fuelled on by the room’s energy and enthusiasm.

During “Roll Over DJ”, Nic got caught up in the crowd’s passion, prompting him to step right out onto the front speakers, ripping his guitar chords without a care.

Lead guitarist Cameron Muncey followed his lead, combining some electrifying and impressive musicianship which stirred the people into a frenzy.

Nic made himself at home taking a seat on the speaker, where he sing heartfelt ballad, “Look What You’ve Done”, in an intimate moment with the audience.

It’s a song that exemplifies raw, yet powerful emotions, and is an essential song on this journey of an album.

Towards the end of JET‘s set, it became evident this huge adrenaline high was about to cease. But to the surprise of fans, they introduced yet another song.

It was their latest single, “HURRY HURRY”, which is only available on limited pressed vinyl and sold at their shows.

Teasing fans with a potential soon-to-be-released album, JET finished the night off with hard-hitting banger, “Rip it Up”.

After experiencing their sheer level of rock excellence, with such eagerness to thrill their fans, it’s hard to imagine JET ever taking a break from music.

They were simply flawless, showing they still have what it takes to make unforgettable music.

And I have to admit, I was singing my heart out while snapping the pictures of these legends!

I have no doubt in saying Nic’s vocals and the band’s overall tone sounds exactly, and I mean EXACTLY, like their studio versions, even 20 years on.