Yelo photographer and occasional word slinger Dameeka Middleton got intimate with JET at The Station on Saturday night.

Just when you think your favourite 2000s rock bands are done JET start a national tour – and they still rock!

The favourite Aussie rockstars gave revellers the revival they didn’t know they needed at The Station on Saturday night.

Celebrating their 20th anniversary, fans were treated to JET‘s most iconic album “Get Born”, played in its entirety.

Before parting ways in 2012, JET were a stronghold in the Australian music scene.

They re-acquainted from 2016-2019, re-emerging again, to the delight of devoted fans, in 2023.

With hits such as “Roll Over DJ”, “Look What You’ve Done”, and “Are You Gonna Be My Girl”, JET became a music staple for teens overnight.

Their chart-topping album is the perfect measure of hard-rock anthems, singalongs, and heartfelt love songs.

And it’s these bangers which have won over music fans across the globe.

The Station’s 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.

As they hurriedly put their entry wristbands on and filled the band-room early, outside the more experience concert-dwellers took their time. They sipped drinks and browsed 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, they set the tone for an epic rock-show ahead.

Super American Eagle @ The Station

The band has a slew of famous faces in their lineup. Brent DeBoer is on drums (The Dandy Warhols), Dave Mudie on bass (Courtney Barnett drummer), and Robert Harrow (Immigrant Union) is 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, it’s 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 appear from the shadows with a 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 prove they are getting better with age.

Striking into, “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is”, die-hards joined them word-for-word. And JET‘s newfound swagger is amplified throughout the venue.

As the boys strum the opening chords to some tracks from their “Shaka Rock” album, they are showing us that any speculation of being “one hit wonders” is a misnomer.

Beaming with nostalgia, fans roar when Nic pulls out his famous tambourine. And they immediately know which song is about to take shape.

The song where it all began for JET

“Are You Gonna Be My Girl” is of course the song that started it all. And you can tell the boys love performing it, fuelled by the room’s energy and enthusiasm.

During “Roll Over DJ”, Nic gets caught up in the crowd’s passion. Prompting him to step right out onto the front speakers, he rips his guitar chord out without a care.

Lead guitarist Cameron Muncey follows his lead, combining electrifying and impressive musicianship which stirs the people into a frenzy.

Nic made himself at home taking a seat on the speaker, where he sings heartfelt ballad, “Look What You’ve Done”.

In an intimate moment with the audience, this song exemplifies raw, yet powerful emotions. And is an essential song on this journey of this album.

Towards the end of their 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 finishes the night 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 even taking a break from music.

They are simply flawless live, 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.

Check out more on JET here: https://www.jetofficial.com/.