Jet and The Retrograde @ Electric City, Buffalo, NY 9-23-26

Jet made its first appearance in the WNY are in over 22 years. In fact, that gig back on July 1, 2004 in Niagara Falls, NY was the band’s first ever headlining show in North America. So the band has some history with its fans here in the WNY area.

Opening the show at the last minute was a band called The Retrograde from Tallahassee, Florida. Originally, Canadian band The Glorious sons were to open, but due to Visa issues, the band weren’t able to cross the border. So, The Retrograde took its place. Nevertheless, the fans who decided to keep their tickets, were treated to an amazing double bill of rock. TheRetrograde’s 50 minute set included a mix of originals and covers. The band performed with real intensive energy throughout their set. Original songs like “I Need a Little” and “Olivia” went over very well. They invited Jet singer Nic Hester out to help sing The Beatles classic “Oh! Darling.” The Retrograde truly made the most out of this last minute appearance.

Headlining the show was Jet. The band has gone through a lot since its first time it disbanded back in 2012. They have gone through multiple periods of activity and inactivity since that time. Also, original drummer Chris Cester has now departed the band. His spot was filled in by Pete Marin. The rest of the band is rounded out by original guitarist Cameron Muncy, longtime bassist Mark Wilson and keyboardist Louis Macklin. The band opened up with a few fan favorites at the top of their set in “She’s a Genius” and “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.” Cester made his way to the front of the stage and sat on the edge of it to sing “Look What You Have Done.” Right after, Cester asked “If anyone in the audience was from Australia? He was shocked when no one said yes and then said, “OK, we will then dedicate this next song to us then.” That song was “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll) from their fellow Australian comrades AC/DC . The bands melodies and grooves make their songs so catchy. “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” and “Cold Hearted Bitch’ were truly fan favorites. In 2024, the band released its first new music since 2009 by releasing the single “Hurry, Hurry.” That song had a twist to it as Joe Fox from The Retrograde joined to help sing the song. The band exited the stage before the encore. After a bit, just Cester appeared solo with an acoustic guitar and sang “Shine On.’ Cameron Muncey sang lead vocals on the next song “Come Around Again.” They ended their set with authority in dishing out a kick ass version of “Rip It Up” from the 2006 ‘Shine On’ LP.

Cester still has that infectious voice that makes every song sound like a banger. Jet is still as formidable they have ever been. Let’s hope they can continue to move forward without interruption and the possibility of releasing new music sooner than later.

Setlist:

Last Chance

She’s a Genius

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Get What You Need

Walk

Hurry Hurry (Joe Fox from The Retrograde joins band on guitar)

Seventeen

Move On

Look What You Done

It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)

Are You Gonna be My Girl