Jet at the Forum

“We’ve been away for a while, and now we’re back,” says frontman Nic Cester to an out-of-breath crowd. With their new album set for release in the new year, Australian band Jet make a welcome return to London’s O2 Forum in Kentish Town. Restless and relentless, the set delivers everything their loyal fans – many of whom are Australian – have come for. Jet haven’t lost it; “it” being the ability to entertain with catchy and straightforward rock. Songs flow into one another, offering little respite between tracks. The atmosphere is electric and Cester seems to enjoy it thoroughly, grinning and basking in it.

The band’s hit, Are You Gonna Be My Girl, is probably one of the most recognisable songs of the 2000s – if anything, due to its widespread use in films, adverts and even video games. The crowd is fired up before it even begins, ready to jump and dance and sing along. But once that’s out of the way, Jet keep the momentum going with a satisfying transition into another fiery track, Rollover DJ. One thing they seem to be very keen on is maintaining the energy and refusing to let it dip.

Their sound and lyrics, Are You Gonna Be My Girl and She’s a Genius, for instance, borrow heavily from the pages of rock and roll history. While not revolutionary, it’s simple, catchy, and punchy rock. And Jet have never tried to hide it, either. However, it’s in their slower tracks that they seem to truly find themselves, free to explore a more intimate, raw sound and storytelling – songs like Look What You’ve Done and Timothy. The latter, the final track on their debut album Get Born (2003), is beautifully tender, depicting a whole world of grief and loss in just a few lines.

Another standout is Radio Song, where Jet’s more tender and vulnerable side shines through again. The warm orange lighting contributes to the introspective mood as the audience sings along, creating a special moment of connection.

Overall, Jet’s set is a masterclass in pacing, balancing the feverish energy of tracks like Rollover DJ with more contemplative moments. For the crowd, these instances not only provide a chance to slow down but also to connect more deeply with the band on an emotional level.

Benedetta Mancusi
Photos: Nick Bennett

For further information and future events visit Jet’s website here.

Watch the video for the single She’s a Genius here: