The Jungle Giants at the Metro Theatre 28/3/14 - Live Review

I've seen a lot of bands over the past couple years and there's only one group I've heard a ridiculous amount of times but I still make an effort to see: The Jungle Giants.

The first time I saw them was at the State Theatre supporting Boy and Bear, and I was blown away by their energy. The crowd was tiny and seated but like the magicians they are, they pulled an unmatchable amount of enthusiasm and presence from thin air. I'm getting pretty close to my 10th time and their show on the 28th of March was the third time I've seen them play a sold out show at the Metro Theatre so I honestly wasn't expecting to be blown away - but sometimes it's easy to underestimate greatness.

The line waiting to get into the venue stretched the end of the alleyway alongside the Metro and the crowd was 100% keen and 100% teen.

After a monstrous wait I found my way in, the crowd was already huge and fairly impenetrable so it just seemed easier to hover around upstairs with all the 'oldies' (a mix of about 20 people, mostly friends of the band, who were in the 20's and 30's. Everyone else at the show was underage - honest to god).

You could keep up with what happened onstage by simply listening to the dynamics of the crowd. If a techie walked onstage a few hundred would scream - if a fly landed onstage - a few hundred would scream - and when Shortstraw came on and picked up their instruments - EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON. SCREAMED.

Shortstraw were 150% delightful. Their summery pop tunes had everyone grooving - and from the increasing volume of the screams, you could definitely say they were a hit. When the chorus of Good Morning, Sunshine kicked in with "You're such a bitch in the morning," I got a tad worried that they'd written a song about me, but alas - logic quickly kicked in. They were definitely a surprising support, boundless energy, sweet lyrics and cute melodies - 5/5 dudes.

Millions are one of my all-time favourite bands. Not even kidding. I cannot kid.

It was my 5th time seeing them and I was pretty darn excited, but honestly I was really disappointed. I hadn't seen them since they played with San Cisco in the same venue last year - and I'd really forgotten what they were like live. Looking back on my love affair with Millions, I've realised I didn't like them because of their live show. I liked them because of their great songs - and much to my content their set was 60% new ones - and they were PRETTY DARN GOOD. Their new material is taking a mature turn into psych sounds, tastefully indulgent instrumentation and sexy vox (as usual) and I SIMPLY CANNOT WAIT to hear their new album. They've dropped their usual all-black uniform get-up for an all white one, with lovely turtlenecks and converse. But despite all the good things, after seeing them on Friday I don't really want to see them live again. They may as well have been asleep, aside from the occasional smile, their was no emotion, their was 0 interaction with the crowd (a crowd which had the most ineractive potential of any crowd EVER), they looked so bored and they didn't do justice to their great music. Their seeming lack of interest made it practically impossible to enjoy the show, because how can you have fun when the band looks like they're in pain? Buy their album and listen to their music because you'll adore it, but I wouldn't suggest seeing them live.

THINGS GOT A BIT CRAZY. When The Jungle Giants came upon the stage it was pandemonium. Brisbane's finest sunny-pop-band had a thousand teenagers in the palms of their hands. I've never seen anything as ridiculous as the unison jumping/dancing/raving/crazy craziness of the punters. The room was practically shaking - it was a sight I've never witnessed at any of their gigs or any gigs at the Metro or any gig ever. It was insane. One of those "I'll be telling my grandkids about this" moments. Every song they played was a fan favourite but highlights were Domesticated Man, Skin To Bone and She's A Riot. When Sam Hales sang "I'll be taking the hearts that you're breaking" - a huge wall of sound came from the crazy enthusiastic crowd. Even the band seemed shocked. It was beautiful. The Jungle Giants were on point musically, their crazy energy and charisma was more powerful than ever.

There are a lot of things I could say about this band and their live show, but it's really something you need to experience for yourself. GO SEE THEM.

Review by Geneva Valek

Photos by Cameron Cook see more here

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