If you are of a certain vintage like myself, you will remember the hay days of rock on the airwaves, big hair; we don’t care attitude and glorious sonic tunes filling the air, one such band Jet captured the imagination of millions worldwide with an absolute banger in “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” which got featured in the 2004 Apple I Pod ad at the time, a winning combo if there ever was one. Regardless of your taste in music, it was impossible to ignore the addictive quality of that tune, and the birth of Jet to a worldwide audience was announced. Tonight, some twenty years later, I have the pleasure of catching the guys in my hometown of Belfast as they glide their way through a whistlestop Irish Tour north and south of the border. Lets do this ….
There’s a palpable sense of anticipation as the crowd spills into the atmospheric, industrial-chic space of Belfast’s Telegraph Building. The venue’s exposed brick, high ceilings, and intimate vibe offer the perfect setting for an evening of live music, especially when two rock acts like Jet and Tempesst are on the bill.
Tempesst, the Sydney-based band fresh off their recent success in the UK, take to the stage first, playing to a crowd that seems eager but perhaps unfamiliar with their sound. However, that quickly changes as they dive headfirst into their set. Despite being the opening act, Tempesst delivers an assertive, polished performance that makes it clear they are here to make an impression.
The band—comprising brothers Toma and Zak Banjanin, along with bassist Callum Twidale and drummer Harry Aitken—waste no time. With their mix of psychedelic rock, 70s-infused grooves, and modern alt-rock sensibilities, they instantly win over the room. The sound is thick and lush, with sprawling guitar solos and an unhurried, hypnotic quality that fills the venue with an undeniable energy.
Their soundtrack is glorious with songs that shimmers with infectious melodies, a twinkling synth lines, and Toma Banjanin’s warm, soulful vocals. There are moments where the crowd starts to sway, caught up in the dreamy atmosphere they create. With songs, in particular, highlights Tempesst’s ability to build tension, then release it, offering a sense of space and freedom with their laid-back yet intricate instrumentation.
There’s also a strong focus on their more rock-centric tracks which feels like a nod to early Fleetwood Mac, with Zak’s winding guitar lines taking center stage. The crowd, increasingly engaged, seems to respond well to these higher-energy tracks. Tempesst manages to strike a balance between more contemplative moments and foot-tapping, festival-ready anthems. The chemistry between the band members is evident, their live performance seamless and tight, even as they explore complex, winding arrangements.
At times, there’s a vintage vibe that recalls the golden days of psych-rock, with sweeping, lush melodies that seem to transport you back in time, but there’s also something distinctly fresh about their sound. They are part of a new wave of bands bringing 70s-inspired rock into the modern day, and Tempesst do it with flair, sophistication, and a palpable love for the craft.
The band ends their set with a slow-burner that gradually builds into a full-throttle finish, giving the audience a final taste of their wide-ranging musical palette. It’s one of those tracks that lingers in your mind long after the last note fades, proving that Tempesst are a band not only worth watching but keeping an eye on as they carve their own space in the music scene.
By the time they leave the stage, it’s clear that Tempesst have won over the Belfast crowd. The Tele’s dimly lit room, with its wood-panelled bar and flickering candlelight, is buzzing with conversations about the band—some new fans, some already committed ones. Either way, it’s an impressive showing for a band still very much on the rise. A quality band that should be on the lips of every discerning music fan.
Belfast, a city known for its vibrant musical scene, had its fair share of anticipation buzzing in the air on October 4th, 2024, as Australian rock giants Jet rolled into the Telegraph Building for the second stop of their much-anticipated UK & Irish tour. With only two shows on the itinerary—Dublin & Belfast the excitement surrounding this tour was palpable, and the energy inside the venue reflected that.
Stepping into the Tele, which has a wonderfully intimate atmosphere, the sight of an enthusiastic crowd, almost shoulder-to-shoulder, felt a little like stepping back in time to a rock ‘n’ roll era when bands packed venues like this to celebrate raw, undiluted energy and anthemic choruses. The room was buzzing, the anticipation hanging thick as Jet prepared to take to the stage.
And then, they did.
From the moment Nic Cester and the band hit the stage, it was clear that Jet hadn’t lost a step. The Aussie rockers launched straight into it, you knew right away that these guys are the real deal, Immediately, the packed audience erupted in a cacophony of cheers and hands pumping in the air, creating an electric atmosphere that would not let up for the entire 90-minute set. It’s been over two decades since that track first exploded on the scene, but tonight it sounded just as fresh, loud, and instantly unforgettable.
The setlist was a dream for fans who wanted to relive Jet’s greatest hits, but also a welcome surprise for those hoping for deeper cuts. With the blistering guitar of Cameron Muncey and the steady, solid rhythm section of Mark Wilson and Chris Cester, Jet were firing on all cylinders. The old-school rock vibe that Jet pioneered on albums like Get Born and Shaka Rock is still alive and well, and their raw, sweaty, live performances are a testament to that.
The band, who are now in their 40s, have matured, but they’ve only honed their craft. Nic Cester, with his instantly recognizable rasp and infectious energy, continues to be the undeniable focal point. With his tousled hair and that almost sneering smile, he was clearly loving every second of it. He made it clear they were thrilled to be in Ireland, feeding off the crowd’s enthusiasm.
It wasn’t just about nostalgia. The band mixed in tracks from their more recent work, which had everyone moving once again, a reminder that Jet have always been able to balance big, catchy hooks with a raw, live energy that sets them apart from other bands of their era.
Tonight it felt as if the entire room was transported back to the early 2000s. The bands unmistakable riffs and infectious melodies had the crowd bouncing, hands in the air, singing the words back at Jet with an enthusiasm that would make any rock band feel like they’d just conquered the world. Cester gave a knowing grin, clearly appreciating the love.
The bands songwriting is packed with raw emotion, with Cester’s voice carrying a richness that spoke of years of lived experience.
As Jet closed off their set it felt like the perfect farewell anthem. The guitar riffs were impossibly tight, and the crowd—now fully in Jet’s grasp—was a whirlwind of movement, shouting along with every word. It was the kind of moment that made you wish the show could go on for hours longer. The band exited the stage to raucous applause, leaving behind an atmosphere of pure rock ecstasy, there is a romanticism about catching a band live that did it back in the day and can still do it today, they may have out of eyesight for many UK and European fans but there love is still there, the music is definetly still there, these guys rock, the vintage inspired look, the glorious vintage instruments all backed up by solid songwriting and a killer live performance. If you can make sure you grab a ticket for one of their UK shows, you can thank me later.
Photos by Mark McGrogan
@flashartmark #flashartmark
Tickets for the shows, listed below, are available at www.ticketmaster.ie
OCTOBER
3rd – Dublin, The Academy
4th – Belfast, The Telegraph Building
6th – Glasgow, SWG3 Galvanizers
7th – Birmingham, O2 Institute 1
8th – Manchester, O2 The Ritz
10th – Nottingham, Rock City
11th – Bristol, Marble Factory
12th – London, O2 Forum Kentish Town
JET achieved phenomenal success in their first incarnation, with their 2003 debut album ‘Get Born’ racing up charts around the world and achieving more than 6 million sales – including Platinum status in the UK in recognition of 300,000+ sales. Two further hit albums followed in the shape of ‘Shine On’ (2006) and ‘Shaka Rock’ (2009), while their catalogue of hits – ‘Are You Gonna Be My Girl’, ‘Look What You’ve Done’, ‘Cold Hard Bitch’, ‘Hold On’, ‘She’s A Genius’ and many more – still connecting with new fans all these years later. The band have 6 million monthly listeners at Spotify – a remarkable figure for a band whose most recent album came before the platform’s full global launch.
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