On Friday, 12 June, I sauntered my way into The Jungle Giants’ tour for their fifth studio album, Experiencing Feelings of Joy.
I absolutely loved that The Jungle Giants brought along two rising Aussie acts as support. There was Tear Drive, embarking on their very first tour, and The Tullamarines, who had also just wrapped up performing Like A Version that very day, taking on Fleetwood Mac’s iconic The Chain.
Unfortunately, I missed Tear Drive, but I experienced my first feeling of joy for the evening when I ran into the venue just in time to hear The Tullamarines performing that very Like A Version cover. The South Australian four-piece were phenomenal, with striking vocals and a unique performance style that saw three members take turns singing different sections of songs. They did an excellent job of hyping up the crowd. At one point, I noticed a group of young guys taking turns putting each other on their shoulders for practically the entire set.
They powered through crowd favourites including Head Roll Back, complete with audience participation, Running on Empty, and a stack of other standout tracks.
After all that excitement, I made a quick dash to the bar for a drink. As I returned to my spot, a couple tapped me on the shoulder. A brief wave of panic washed over me as I assumed they were annoyed that I was blocking their view. Quite the opposite, actually. They simply wanted to compliment my ladybird tattoo. My second feeling of joy: connection.
Almost immediately afterwards came my third feeling of joy. For the first time in my entire gig-going life, I realised I had somehow avoided standing behind the tallest person in the room. Instead, I found myself surrounded by women my height or shorter. Third feeling of joy: visibility.
Soon enough, anticipation for the headliners reached fever pitch. A bright neon sign lit up the stage, asking whether we were Experiencing Feelings of Joy. The words then shifted and scattered into others including but not limited to: connection, empathy, purpose, and one that particularly resonated with me, pride. (Happy Pride Month! lol).
Then the band emerged. Lead singer and guitarist Sam Hales strode onto the stage to a roar from the crowd as the opening tracks from Experiencing Feelings of Joy, How Can I Replace You? and Tell Me How It Feels, kicked into gear. The audience instantly became one giant bouncing mass as Sam sang, “I’m a pogo for my people, and I love it when you jump.”
It was at that moment I realised just how much of a hold The Jungle Giants have over a crowd. Prior to this show, I’d only ever seen them at festivals. Seeing them headline their own concert felt like taking that festival energy and multiplying it tenfold.
Next up was crowd favourite Sending Me Ur Loving, which was met with plenty of loving energy in return from the audience.
To keep the love levels sky-high, one of my personal highlights was hearing Lovesick, my favourite track from the new album, flow seamlessly into the classic Love Signs. Double the love. I genuinely felt like I was floating along on Sam’s vocals.
The subject matter of Experiencing Feelings of Joy stems from the end of Sam’s engagement, an incredibly personal chapter of his life. What impresses me most, and speaks volumes about his and the band’s artistry, is how he transforms something so deeply personal into something universally relatable. We may not have all experienced the exact same circumstances, but we’ve all known heartbreak, uncertainty, loneliness, and those moments when joy feels impossibly far away. Yet somehow, the album reminds us that joy has a way of finding its path back to us.
While I was busy dancing and contemplating life, I felt another tap on my shoulder. Her name was Cody, a dog groomer with an infectious smile.
“Are you here alone?” she asked.
“I am!” I replied, wondering how she’d worked that out.
She explained that she had a drinks package she couldn’t possibly finish by herself and had decided to share it with strangers. Before I knew it, we were heading to the bar together. Suddenly, I’d found someone to boogie with for the rest of the night.
Vodka lime and soda can in hand, my fifth feeling of joy arrived: Connection, once again!
The crowd absolutely lost it for the OG favourites, She’s a Riot and Time and Time Again.
We danced for what felt like forever until the band closed the night with A Moment Like That, which felt incredibly fitting because, after nearly two hours, our moment with The Jungle Giants had come to an end.
For the duration of the set, I experienced genuine moments of joy, humanity, connection, and community.
So thank you, The Jungle Giants, for creating a space where we could dance, sing, reflect, and, most importantly, connect with one another.
Sometimes, experiencing feelings of joy is as simple as sharing a moment with the people around you!
