Jet stormed the O2 Kentish Town Forum last weekend with the subtlety of a sledgehammer, obliterating any doubts about their staying power. The Aussie rockers unleashed a blistering set that shook the venue to its foundations and rekindled the raw energy of their early 2000s heyday after a 15-year absence from UK stages.
Let’s cut to the chase, “Cold Hard Bitch” might just be the best rock riff of the 2000s. Period. When those opening notes hit, it was like a jolt of electricity. If you weren’t losing your shit with the rest of the crowd erupting and singing every word then you were clearly in the wrong place.
These guys aren’t just coasting on past glories. Their new track “Hurry Hurry” is a sonic time machine, hurling us back to the fuzzy, dirty rock of the late ’60s. It’s Jet shifting gears, trading their usual late ’70s swagger for a grittier, more psychedelic romp. The relentless beat is still there, but now it’s wrapped in layers of fuzzy guitar that sound like they’ve been dragged through a Marshall stack and back. There’s a hook buried in that beautiful mess that’ll have you humming for days. Nic Cester’s calling it “a little appetizer” for their upcoming album.
Jet’s evolved sound is matched by their sharpened image. Cester struts on stage in white tailored jeans that flirt with bell-bottom territory, paired with sleek cowboy boots and a simple shirt. It’s a look that screams rock star confidence without trying too hard. The rest of the band follows suit, each member sporting their own version of cleaned-up rock ‘n’ roll cool. It’s clear they’ve traded their scruffy early-days of leather for a more curated edge, but their sonic punch remains as potent as ever.
The main course of the night was a full playthrough of Get Born in honour of its 20th anniversary. From the opening riffs of “Last Chance” to the final notes of “Timothy,” it was a relentless onslaught of hits that reminded everyone why this album dominated airwaves two decades ago. They delivered these classics with a ferocity that made them feel fresh and vital. “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” had the entire forum jumping like it was 2003 all over again, while “Look What You’ve Done” showcased the band’s softer side without losing any of its emotional punch.
Forget tepid reunion tours and nostalgia acts—Jet’s return to UK shores was necessary and long overdue. Fresh off their ARIA Hall of Fame induction, these Aussie rockers hit the stage with a clear mission: to prove that rock isn’t dead, it just needed a kick in the ass. Jet reaffirmed their status as rock heavyweights, delivering a masterclass in raw, unapologetic rock ‘n’ roll. Two decades on, they’ve proven they’re far from done. Now, how about you get on with giving us that new album already?
In the meantime, the band is dropping a 21st Birthday Edition of Get Born on black vinyl, set to ship from November 8th, 2024. Let’s not forget that this rock ‘n’ roll gem is eight-times platinum in Australia, cementing its place as one of the top 5 highest-selling Australian rock albums of all time.
