The Jungle Giants are set to bring their signature indie rock energy to one of Australia's biggest sporting events this weekend, with frontman Sam Hales promising a halftime show full of "pure, high energy" at the BBL final in Perth.
Performing at Optus Stadium for Cricket Decider
The popular Australian band will headline the entertainment at Sunday's Big Bash League final at Optus Stadium, marking their first cricket performance. Hales, who admits he's "terrible" at cricket himself, expressed honour at the opportunity to play for what he anticipates will be their biggest show ever.
"I think it's going to be our biggest show ever, which is also insane," Hales told media ahead of the event. "We are going to be playing songs people know and love, but we've pretty much tailored the halftime show to be specifically just pure, high energy."
High-Energy Performance Planned
The band will take to the KFC FLG stage for two sets during the final - one pre-game and another during the innings break. Hales described the planned performance as "quick, fast and extremely dramatic" - elements he says define his artistic approach.
"I already know everyone's going to be vibing, and then we're just going to be there to sprinkle a little bit of extra vibe on top," he added enthusiastically.
Fans can expect to hear classic tracks including Used To Be in Love, which Hales identifies as his current favourite to perform live because it "hits every time and it's nice to watch people sing."
Western Australian Connection and Beach Plans
Hales, who will fly into Perth from Melbourne on Saturday, plans to soak up Western Australia's famous sunshine at Cottesloe Beach before the big performance. The frontman contrasted WA's beach options with those in his home city, noting "the beach options are not that beautiful, if I'm being honest" about Melbourne.
The band has strong connections to Western Australia, particularly Fremantle, where they have numerous musical friends including Crooked Colours, San Cisco, and Tame Impala.
"I love WA," Hales said. "I've spent such a great deal of time in Fremantle as well because we've got lots of music friends of ours from there. There's such a good scene just to be a part of."
New Music and Album Announcement
In exciting news for fans, Hales revealed The Jungle Giants have a new single coming at the end of February, followed by a full album later this year. This marks their first major release since 2021's Love Signs, representing a five-year gap between projects.
The new album was partly written in Greece and draws inspiration from Hales' personal experiences, particularly a recent breakup.
"For me, it took a while, because when you have a breakup, there's a lot to process, right?" Hales explained. "But I'm really proud of it. It pushes into new orchestral dance places that I haven't been to before."
The frontman described the new material as featuring a fresh vocal style and promised it "bangs" with energy. "I just can't wait," he added about the upcoming release.
Future Tour Plans and Festival Appearances
Following their BBL performance, The Jungle Giants will return to Western Australia in April to play at the Here Comes The Sun music festival, which coincides with the Margaret River Pro surfing competition.
Looking further ahead, Hales encouraged fans to stay tuned for a "big album tour" announcement coming soon. The tour is expected to include extensive Australian dates followed by American and European legs.
"It'll be a huge Australian tour, and then American tour, and then Europe tour," Hales confirmed, building anticipation for what promises to be a significant year for the band.
The combination of their high-profile BBL performance and upcoming new music suggests 2026 could be a landmark year for The Jungle Giants as they continue to build their reputation as one of Australia's most dynamic indie rock acts.
