The Jungle Giants – Powerstation: May 2, 2025 (13th Floor Concert Review)
If you were at the Powerstation in Auckland last night, you were treated to a double dose of indie euphoria. As part of their Hold My Hand tour, Aussie legends The Jungle Giants lit up the room with electric energy.
But first, local favourites Park Rd warmed things up with a set that was equal parts chill and groove. If you weren’t tapping your foot at the back, you were dancing on the floor
Park Rd:
The night kicked off with Tāmaki Makaurau’s very own Park Rd, a five-piece made up of close-knit mates whose bond on stage is as tight as their sound. Frontman Tom Chamberlain (and his trusty tambourine—aka the Chamborine) led the charge, joined by Angus Hampton-Carr on lead guitar, Leo Crawshaw-Bond on guitar (who loves to shred on his knees), Carlos Martin on bass (kneeling dramatically to the crowd), and Te Kapua Pene—known as TK—holding it down on drums with slick, steady beats.
Park Rd’s sound sits in a sweet spot between surf rock and dreamy indie, and last night’s performance was the kind of show that gently eases you in, then gets under your skin and stays there. The crowd trickled in slowly, but by the end of their set, the cheers were deafening—a sign of just how infectious their vibe is.
New track Young Love brought classic surf rock tones and dreamy nostalgia, while the crowd favourite Surfer Boy Paradise had people singing along as soon as that opening chord hit. It’s their most streamed song (over 2 million hits on Spotify) and for good reason—it feels like sunshine in song form. And when they closed out with I Got You, a love-soaked surf rock anthem with cinematic guitar riffs, it felt like the perfect way to pass the torch to the headliners.
Park Rd played close together, bouncing around on stage, clearly having the time of their lives as they always do on stage. Even when Angus briefly ducked backstage to fix a tech hiccup, they didn’t miss a beat. RIVA, their second-to-last song, let them truly cut loose—half vocals, half jam session—and it showed off their musical chops in full.
Also, fun fact: Tom saw The Jungle Giants live at 16 at Soundsplash, and now here he is opening for them. Full-circle moment if there ever was one.
They head to Australia next week for their own tour, and honestly, if you ever get the chance to see them live—don’t miss it.
The Jungle Giants:
Then came The Jungle Giants—and they didn’t waste any time. From the moment frontman Sam Hales and the band hit the stage, they launched into a tight, punchy set filled with bangers. They kept the banter short and sweet, offering only a few quick thanks and classic “We love it here!”s between songs. That’s all they needed. This wasn’t a storytelling gig. This was a non-stop dance party—and they knew exactly what they were doing.
The band are no strangers to Aotearoa, and the crowd could feel it. They’ve played here plenty of times before, including big festival slots at Electric Avenue and Soundsplash, and you could tell there was something familiar about it for them. There was a relaxed confidence to the whole set, like they knew Auckland was already on their side.
They opened with Feel the Way I Do, a certified crowd favourite that immediately sent waves through the room. From there, it was one seamless groove after another. You don’t just watch The Jungle Giants—you move with them. Their newer music has leaned heavily into dance-pop and electronic vibes, and the live setup takes that to a whole new level. Think pulsing synths, punchy bass lines, and perfectly timed drops that make it impossible not to move.
Even the lighting was in sync with the music, flashing in time with guitar flourishes and percussion builds, making the whole thing feel like a DIY club night—but way cooler.
Look, it’s worth mentioning: the crowd had a very specific energy. If you looked around the room, it was packed with groups of friends—lots of girls in crop tops and sneakers, dudes with half-finished beers, and clusters of mates there for a good time. It felt like the kind of show you go to after telling your group chat “we NEED a night out,” and the vibe delivered exactly that.
There were couples dancing close, friends yelling lyrics into each other’s faces, and random strangers high-fiving after each big drop. It was sweaty, messy, and happy. The best kind of crowd.
The Jungle Giants have been doing this for over a decade, and they’ve only gotten sharper, cooler, and more confident. They know what kind of band they are. They’re dance music disguised as indie rock. Or maybe indie rock disguised as dance music. Either way, it works.
Their set at the Powerstation wasn’t about theatrics or dramatic solos. It was about delivering hit after hit, keeping the tempo high, and making sure everyone walked out smiling—and a little exhausted. They absolutely nailed it.
If you’re lucky enough to catch them on this tour, don’t hesitate. Bring your friends. Wear shoes you can dance in. And hydrate—because The Jungle Giants aren’t here to chat. They’re here to move you.
Azrie Aziz
Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Azrie Aziz:
The Jungle Giants:
Park Rd.:
Set List
Park Rd
Save The Planet
English Boy
Burn Away
June
Secrets
Did It
Tonight I
Antidote
Young Love
Ride
Every Night
Surfer Boy Paradise
RIVA
I Got You
The Jungle Giants
On Your Way Down
Trippin Up
In Her Eyes
Charge My Phone
Sending Me Ur Loving
Heartless
Bad Dream
Quiet Ferocity
She’s a Riot
Monstertruck
Love Signs
Used to Be in Love
Hold My Hand
Feel the Way I Do
Heavy Hearted
