The Jungle Giants are set to deliver an electrifying performance at the Big Bash League (BBL) final this Sunday at Perth’s Optus Stadium. Frontman Sam Hales has promised cricket fans a halftime show brimming with “pure, high energy,” while also teasing the release of new music next month.
Hales, the lead songwriter for the acclaimed Australian indie rock band, will be flying into Perth from Melbourne on Saturday. He plans to enjoy the sunshine at Cottesloe Beach before performing to a sea of orange at the stadium for the season’s decider. The band is slated to headline the entertainment, taking the KFC FLG stage for two sets—one pre-game and another during the innings break.
The Performance and the Band’s Connection to Cricket
Despite admitting he’s “terrible” at cricket, Hales expressed his excitement about performing at his first cricket show alongside lead guitarist Cesira Aitken, who is a devoted BBL fan. “I think it’s going to be our biggest show ever, which is also insane,” Hales remarked. “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. It’s going to be quick, fast and extremely dramatic, which is what I’m all about.”
Fans can look forward to hearing old classics like “Used To Be in Love,” a track Hales particularly enjoys playing live because “it hits every time and it’s nice to watch people sing.”
A Warm Welcome Back to Western Australia
The band is thrilled to return to Western Australia for the summer, with Fremantle being a familiar and favored destination. “I love WA. I mean, 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, Crooked Colours, San Cisco, Tame Impala,” Hales said. “There’s such a good scene just to be a part of. So I often explore certain parts of Fremantle, but this particular weekend, I’m excited just to kick around Perth a little bit.”
Hales, who resides in Melbourne, expressed his eagerness to enjoy Perth’s beaches, noting, “I live in Melbourne, so the beach options are not that beautiful, if I’m being honest. So I think I’m just going to soak up as much as I can.”
New Music on the Horizon
In terms of new music, Hales revealed that the band has a new single scheduled for release at the end of February, with a new album set to follow this year. The upcoming album, partially written in Greece, comes five years after their last project, “Love Signs,” and is inspired by Hales’ personal experiences, including a breakup.
“I’m really excited to be kicking off 2026 with new music and a new, whole new album coming,” Hales said. “For me, it took a while, because when you have a breakup, there’s a lot to process, right? But I’m really proud of it. It pushes into new orchestral dance places that I haven’t been to before. But also lyrically, I’m super proud of this.”
Hales also hinted at a “big album tour” to be announced soon, promising a comprehensive Australian tour followed by performances in the United States and Europe. “It’ll be a huge Australian tour, and then American tour, and then Europe tour,” he added.
Looking Ahead
After their performance at the BBL final, The Jungle Giants will return to Western Australia in April to play at the music festival Here Comes The Sun, coinciding with the Margaret River Pro.
The announcement of their upcoming performance and new music comes as a significant moment for the band, marking both a return to live shows and the introduction of fresh material. As fans eagerly await their halftime show and new releases, The Jungle Giants continue to solidify their place in the Australian music scene.
