Jet @ Vodafone Live At TheChapel, Melbourne (20/11/06)

Sat 25th Nov, 2006 in Gig Reviews

Our very own international jetsetters Jet flew into Melbourne for a whirlwind homecoming visit. Given the band’s brief stopover in their hometown, Jet managed to pack a few appearances into their itinerary to appear at the Make Poverty History initiative, showcase new hits from their second full-length, Shine On, as well as to indulge lucky fans with their catchy brand of rock at the infamous Vodafone Live At The Chapel.

Jet is regarded as one of Melbourne’s greater success stories. Growing up in the south-eastern suburbs, spending countless hours rehearsing and dreaming up a fairytale future of international stardom, brothers Nic and Chris Cester possessed the nuance and determination to form one of Australia’s most successful bands. Jet’s accolades, such as their MTV award win and selling more than 3.5 million copies of their debut album Get Born, exemplify Jet’s entrenched knack for drawing on the aural smarts of greats such as The Beatles and The Easybeats while bending their own musical instinct for penning simple hook-driven tunes. As much as Jet’s craft is regarded as a turning point for Australian rock, others would agree that Jet’s ability to replicate their songs in a live setting doesn’t go unnoticed.

Despite a relatively stale vibe that any television set creates, Vodafone Live At The Chapel did succeed in bringing to its audience one of the most energetically driven episodes the series has ever seen. Temperatures soared into the high 30s outside while 200 or so punters managed to squeeze themselves into every nook and cranny of the Chapel. The Chapel aimed at maximising its trademark coziness with couches, beanbags, lit candelabras that seemed oddly out of place amidst Melbourne’s unforgiving heatwave, setting the scene for a memorable one and half hours of sweaty Aussie rock. Jet took a few intensive moments to make their entrance as the crowd cheered and clapped for their superstars to adorn the stage.

Clad in their staple outfits of velvet jackets, vests, tight black jeans and scarves, Jet jumped onstage to the squeals from impatient onlookers. We were assured we were in for one hell of a tight show and I was determined to discover just how good a live venue the Chapel can be. As Get What You Need and Put Your Money Where our Mouth Is reverberated the rafters, it was clear that Jet had in fact arrived. With Nic riffing away profusely as he perched himself front and centre, Mark Wilson stroking the neck of his bass to underscore Jet’s powerhouse orchestrations before curbing each bridge for Chris to hammer his kit. Cam Muncey, the quieter corner of the Jet lineup, juxtaposed Nic’s centre-stage antics with his strumming as the boisterous energy from the crowd emitted from a not so far distance away.

Live At The Chapel is obviously a long way from the smoke filled clubs and arenas of overseas, yet Jet refused to allow their live intentions to be undermined by a studio atmosphere. Holiday ripped through the crowd like wildfire as Skin and Bones gave Jet fans more of a healthy taste of the band’s raucous new album before Nic grabbed an opportune moment to strip down to his shirt and jeans, insisting the scarf stayed on. A little brotherly banter between Nic and Chris were thrown in here and there for good measure as Jet paraded their way through Take It Or Leave It and Nic’s self-proclaimed fondness for the nursery-rhyme styled progressions of Kings Horses. Are You Gonna Be My Girl became one inevitable crowd enticer of the evening as fans discarded their seats for uncontained grooving, urging a satisfying nod from Nic himself. The odd ballad failed to subdue the crowd, including Look What You’ve Done, sparking admiration and undying applause from the seemingly loyal crowd.

Jet momentarily took a quick breather before returning to the stage for a generous encore, featuring Shine On and Roll Over DJ. Nic proved to be the centerpiece on countless occasions, standing tall on coffee tables and strutting to his own riffs to the wails of smitten female fans. It became adamant from this overwhelming performance that Jet can’t exactly be classed as technically abstract, yet you can give Jet credit for creating a succinct style that dabbles in rawness and vintage simplicity. It’s a formula that has treated Jet and their fans well. From Jet’s sterling performance at The Chapel, you’d have to admit that hits from Shine On, can be collectively classed with a sudden maturity from the days of Get Born and Jet can pack a live punch, even when challenged by disturbing heat.