After playing packed out gigs throughout their six month tour, Juke Kartel hit the ANU Bar on Wednesday night for what would prove to be one very intimate gig.

Playing to approximately 60 patrons, this gig could have proved disheartening to the toughest of rock bands, but not Juke Kartel. They played with every bit of their soul, just as they would if the place had of been packed to the rafters.

With a lot of jest throughout the show, we loved seeing the lighter, humorous side of these guys. With the cliche dig at what Canberra is renowned for and a not so bright review of their nights cuisine before the gig, lead singer Toby Rand was quick to announce “Hey, Just pretend you are in our lounge room, we are all friends here”.

Smashing their hit singles Save Me and December, the audience was captivated by Rand’s hard hitting voice. Their set also included the likes of the ballad-esque Then She Said to the bone shattering Throw it Away, which Toby penned during his stint on the US hit show Rockstar Supernova. The new single for the band If Only had everyone swaying although I have seen this song performed acoustic by Toby and had much more of an impact presented this way. Everyone loves a rocker that has a softer side.

All in all it was a fantastic gig with masses of energy from the members of the band and from those who attended. This will be Juke Kartels’ last gig here in Canberra for some time as they are as jetsetting to LA. Their very last Australian gig being in Melbourne, amongst an acoustic setting on 19 May 2009.

Take care in LA and show those superstars a thing or two about what Aussie rock is made of.