While false starts normally carry negative connotations, The Jungle Giants’ premature launch into the set simply made their impending performance feel more thrilling.
The band emerged at The Tivoli Theatre (20 April) silhouetted by flashing strobes, though an exchange of confused glances eventually saw their unexpected return backstage.
Frontman Sam Hales masked the technical difficulty with oozing charisma and charm: “This is part of the show, people. We’re building anticipation. Imagine how excited you’ll be when we return.”
Funnily enough, he was right, twice as nice indeed. Entrance attempt two was met with double the screams from the crowd as the four-piece eased their way back into routine.
In the past I’ve unintentionally disregarded ‘On Your Way Down’ though clearly my ignorance is solitary, I was stunned by the audience’s familiarity with the lyrics, chorus especially, words cheered in unison.
Star single ‘She’s A Riot’ was surrendered surprisingly early, the arguable catalyst of their success; they surfed the wave of their debut album with ‘Anywhere Else’, ‘Learn To Exist’ a little more jangly, a little less instrumentally broad, a little more light-hearted.
‘Waiting For A Sign’ was relatively unimpressionable, similar to its ‘Quiet Ferocity’ counterparts, though ‘You’ve Got Something’ was an undeniable standout, despite it never featuring on an album. The emotion-drenched instrumentals genuinely stopped me in my tracks; I remember whispering: “This is beautiful” under my breath.
The Jungle Giants changed the pace with ‘Quiet Ferocity’s title song, a kooky number with spoken lyrics that cleverly transitioned from quirky, indie rock to synth-infused electronics.
‘The lull’, as I refer to it, where the middle-ish of most performances is lined with relatively unknown releases, was ridden out nicely with ‘Blinded’ (almost Spanish-sounding) and ‘Every Kind Of Way’ (‘Speakerzoid’s only contributor). The latter even proved the perfect lead into my indisputable pick of the band’s bunch, ‘In The Garage’.
Sam and lead guitarist Cesira Aitken momentarily exited the stage (Sam briefly introducing the lyric-less song to the crowd), while bassist Andrew Dooris and drummer Keelan Bijker remained. Where the obscure track lacks in The Jungle Giants’ iconic, charming lyricism, it makes up for in its brilliant, dancefloor-filling properties.
‘I Am Want You Want Me To Be’ was sweet and uplifting, energy intensifying with ‘Bad Dream’; by closing song ‘Used To Be In Love’ (“You can be my little dream, I’ll read you like a magazine” my favourite lyric snippet) I was riddled with endorphins, glancing at the crowd with a goofy grin and the kind of grateful attitude you only adopt in those rare moments of utmost euphoria.
The band left briefly though an encore shortly followed, starting with summer-sounding anthem, ‘People Always Say’ before finishing on fan-favourite ‘Feel The Way I Do’.
While reviewing The Jungle Giants eight or so months ago (click here to read that review) I admittedly compartmentalised the band as ‘fun and upbeat’. In the most positive possible way, certainly, though even still, the description almost indicates a lack of depth.
One overlooked element worth mentioning, for starters, is Sam’s vocals, often buried beneath the band’s instrumental layering and creative riffs. Listen carefully, I assure you, his vocal range is incredible, exhibiting strength at highs and lows, ability to sing on key unwavering.
The band’s versatility never ceases to amaze me, though what might be more impressive is their initial nerve to branch out while composing. Rather than slipping into a comfortable niche, the four-piece have aptly explored several genres and, as a result, can boast an eclectic discography brimming with plenty of colour and variance.
In saying that, all three records are still very much consistent, creative risks taken within appropriate borders that manage to make each album feel neat and tidy.
It’ll be hard to top ‘Quiet Ferocity’, such an expertly crafted collection of songs. But then again, just as Sam promised: “This is part of the show, people. We’re building anticipation. Imagine how excited you’ll be when we return.”
