Jungle Giants @ Metropolis Fremantle
w/ Adi Toohey, girlname
Saturday, September 21 , 2019
Music can do many things for us. It can enlighten us, challenge us, make us feel, but perhaps what it does best, is simply entertain. The Jungle Giants’ show at Metropolis in Fremantle last Saturday did exactly this in a performance that was energetic and alive and had the crowd moving from the beginning of the 90-minutes, up until the very end.
Opening the night were the well-accomplished DJs girlname and Adi Toohey. Despite facing initially small crowds you could see they were clearly enjoying themselves and they set up an enthused and pumped-up atmosphere. Laying down tacks that were funky and smooth, both girls delivered a set with an air of professionalism and good groove that explains why they are have become such respected and sought-out selectors.
Getting closer to 9pm, the line of eager-looking, corduroy-clad fans stretched right around the corner of South Terrace as they waited with buzzing anticipation, ID ready in hand, to slowly trickle into the venue.
It was clear to see that this anticipation was all for good measure. Bringing their new single Heavy Hearted and in the middle of their largest Australian tour yet, The Jungle Giants delivered a set that was captivating, fast-paced and energetic, and had the audience spellbound from the get-go. Hits like On Your Way Down and Used To Be In Love went down extremely well with a crowd of both young and old, who found it all too easy to sing and dance their way along from the beginning of the show to the end.
The Giants are no strangers to making the soundtrack to a good time. The four-piece delivered a show that was well-polished but also brought a nice, rawer and more guitar-heavy tone to their usually slickly produced music. In a highly visual performance that combined smoke machines and strobe lighting with the visceral energy of a band having just as much of a good time as the audience, the club was set alight with energy and enthusiasm that was difficult to contain. Frantically kicking and dancing across the stage, lead singer Sam Hales led the crowd along in a frenzy of fun and good-times.
Their new song marks a bit of an electronic and bass-heavy change in sound for the band. As the first release since their 2017 album, Quiet Ferocity – which earned the group four singles in the Hottest 100 and platinum sales for the song Feel the Way I Do, Heavy Hearted is already on track to becoming a future Jungle Giants greatest hit.
Coming back from sold out shows in both the US and the UK, the Jungle Giants have proven that they are more than just a one-time hit Triple J band and it was clear on Saturday night what makes this four-piece from Brisbane so contagiously successful. Their blend of smooth melodies, sing-along vocals and a captivating live energy is what live music does best; enthusiasm, fun, and a darn good time.
LACHLAN HARDMAN
Photos by Ella Wylynko
