On Friday night, we were treated to a world-class band at Hotel Brunswick in Brunswick Heads (Northern Rivers).
At their height in the mid 2000s, Jet were a massive international act supporting acts such as The Rolling Stones and Oasis. This was the second time I've seen the boys live, and the gigs couldn't have been more different (and spoiler, I loved them both).The first time I saw them was in 2007, in Tokyo at the Nippon Budokan. This is one of the most famous venues across the globe. The reason the Aussie band was playing there was partly thanks to a portly Japanese comedian, Ochi Yosuke.
In 2006, Ochi had been awarded the great honour as the world's greatest air guitarist, and was present at the concert, coming onstage to 'perform' his prize-winning song, Jet's 'Are You Gonna Be My Girl'. The night was a classic, preserved of course on YouTube.
Jet - image © Bill Prendergast
Seventeen odd years later, the boys are touring again, playing smaller Australian venues to adoring fans on their Get Born Extended 20th Anniversary tour. 'Get Born' is a great album, with a couple of huge hits, but also some more understated pieces, which are probably my favourites.
The boys kicked off their show with a classic from their even bigger second album, 'Shine On'. The opening piece was the hit 'Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is', and it was a fantastic way to get straight into the hard-hitting music. Lead singer and guitarist, Nic Cester has lost none of his pout and is looking fantastic.
The massive hit 'Are You Gonna Be My Girl' follows, and the thousand-strong crowd is really revved up and dancing. A pause in the middle of the song is met by Cameron Muncey playing the chords; his piece almost sounds a tone lower, but it was a fast wind up to this great piece.
'Rollover DJ' follows; it's not a favourite of mine but the crowd loves it. The crowd is then asked to show a big hand to Louie Macklin on keyboards, not a fully fledged member of the band.
Jet - image © Bill Prendergast
Cester then leads the first version of the title track of the second album, 'Shine On'. 'Get What You Need' follows, off 'Get Born', led by the heavy bass of the song, and Cester imitates Pete Townsend's famous windmills to wind the song up.
The show then moves into what I feel is one of the two more understated but high quality songs, 'Move On'. I love the piece, and much has been written of how The Rolling Stones had been such an influence on this and one other piece in particular.
The playing of the song is great, very Stones-like; another little thing I love about Jet's music is the use of the tambourine. I spotted one with at least three members of the band over the night, and it's a lovely subtle addition to the studio and live versions.
Jet - image © Bill Prendergast
A couple of other pieces are appreciated by the crowd before we get one of the other huge pieces off the anniversary album, 'Cold Hard Bitch'. For this one, it's a more stripped-back, rock & roll song, so the keyboardist is off the stage, chatting casually to punters as the other members belt out the song.
At this point, Nic Cester announces they will do "one of their favourite songs" from 'Get Born', 'Come Around Again'. In preparing for the concert, listening to the album over and over, this and 'Move On' were the two songs I've really been drawn to, as slightly lesser-known, but very high quality music, and I'm surprised when the band notes it as a favourite.
Vocals for 'Come Around Again' were shared by Cester and Muncey, and again, both the live and studio versions have a real early-to-mid '70s Stones feel. The guys move through 'Take It Or Leave It' and 'Timothy', another great piece off 'Get Born'.
At this point, the stage empties, with the exception of Nic Cester, who does a lovely acoustic version of 'Shine On'. While he is playing, the rest of the band chat happily at the side of the stage, seemingly really enjoying each others' company after 20-odd years of substantial touring.
The boys perform a couple of lesser-known pieces, then move into another of their best-known hits, the very high energy and popular 'Rip It Up'. A great way to end the evening.
Jet - image © Bill Prendergast
The warm-up act was Melbourne band Super American Eagle. The three-piece pumps out an energetic set of their own works, and although the crowd is not familiar with the music as a whole, their set is appreciated, and worked as a great warm-up for the main act.
Overall, this was fantastic, seeing such a high quality band in this setting. This is pub music at its absolute best, and Hotel Brunswick is a sensational setting for a band. The audience was extremely close to the musicians, and this brings a higher level of energy, which I really felt through the playing on the evening.
These guys have been playing together and touring the globe for over 20 years, yet still seem to enjoy their own company, and enjoy playing this music live.
As I walked out of the gig, outside the pub there were scores of people sitting on the roofs of their cars, just enjoying the atmosphere of this great show. This night was pub and small gig music at its best.
More photos from the show.
