:: Jet at Festival Hall, West Melbourne - October 2004

By: Georgia O'Connell

“I'd like to thank God but I can't because rock'n'roll is the devil's music and he writes the best tunes,” says Jet guitarist Cameron Muncey.

Well, the devil’s music sure showed up in style on October 19 at Festival Hall in Melbourne, and it rocked the house! What a show! What a performance! The devil sure would have been proud. From the minute that support act Dallas Crane finished their set, people were screaming Jet Jet Jet !!!

The screams could be heard from every point of Festival Hall. From the youngest wannabe rock ‘n’ roll followers to the adults who came for the love of it, everyone was anticipating their arrival. Those who were sharing a few beers before their set had to down their last VB or bourbon quickly to make it for the grand entrance of Jet. And that it was.

“Cold Hard Bitch” set the stage a light, and the crowd roared. They went crazy. After slaughtering the ARIA Awards a couple of days earlier, winning six of the seven categories in which they were nominated, Jet was in ripping form.

Jet has become a worldwide success. And the hype that now surrounds them has brought back the feeling that rock ‘n’ roll is, and will be, around for a long time yet. Just fours boys from Dingley who wanted to play some music. I don’t think so. They were never going to be just four boys from Dingley. But Nic Cester (guitar/vocals), Chris Cester (drums/vocals), Cameron Muncey (guitar/vocals), Mark Wilson (bass), are four guys who stand for everything that is real, raw and honest about rock music. Yes, they might only have a few words to say in regards to the music, like “Yeah”, C’mon” and Hey”, but it’s the simplicity of their words, and the raw energy behind their melodies that keeps the people coming. The crowd is jumping and dancing around. It was nothing but obvious of the crowd‘s demonstration of love for the Melbourne band and the impact that rock 'n’ roll has over the masses.

At the end of the day, that‘s what music is all about. Jet did themselves proud. And well done. We love your music; that simple catchy rock sound that keeps bouncing off the ground. There were a few older songs, and we got a sneak preview to a few new ones, but the crowd waited all night until the end of the set for that tambourine to start shakin’ for “Are You Gonna Be My Girl”. It was well worth the wait. The floor of Festival Hall was packed out, and as I looked around the surrounding seats above me, there was nothing short of a standing ovation and the rest.

In the next few weeks Jet has another televised US award show. On Sunday, November 14 they are up for “Favourite Artist - Alternative Music” at the 31st Annual American Music Awards.
Again, we’d like to thank God for bringing us Jet, but this time all the thanks goes to the devil!