If you were to ask me about the night of the 17th of January, I would say it was amazing.

But if you were to ask me on a deeper level… I would say it was a night of healing.

A night of emotional catharsis. A night of gratitude and pure joy. It was the night I (finally) saw Spacey Jane after their 14-month live performance hiatus. The night kicked off with a delightful DJ set by Teenage Dads, who are good mates of the band. The whole set was honestly more of a comedy act than a musical performance, and the crowd absolutely loved it. They wrapped up with a remix of their original song Speedracer, which was a certified banger. By the time they left the stage, the energy in the room was electric.

Then, the lights dimmed, and out came the four loves of my life: Ashton (and his majestic mane), Caleb, Kieran, and Peppa. The opening notes of Skin filled the room, and I was immediately overcome with gratitude.

There I was, in the intimate Howler bandroom, watching a band that previously sold out five shows at the Forum during their last Melbourne visit. The 399 other fans in the room shared that same elation, especially given how quickly the show had sold out- in under two minutes! It’s fair to say that Spacey Jane are the epitome of Aussie Indie Rock. As soon as I hear the start of any Spacey Jane song, I am instantly transported to summer. Their lyrics feel universally relatable, and I love the way they explore emotions like anxiety and grief through catchy riffs and upbeat melodies.

Listening to Spacey Jane feels deeply personal- like they know exactly how I feel, even when I can’t find the words myself. Their music feeds my soul, expressing emotions I didn’t even realise I needed to process. What made the night even more special was the overwhelming sense of connection in the room. Every single person in that crowd was linked by shared experiences and emotions.

The vulnerability in their songs created a space where we could all feel seen and understood, and that sense of unity was palpable. It wasn’t just the audience connecting with each other; it was the way the band gave so much of themselves in their performance that made the bond between them and us feel truly special

Their setlist was a perfect mix of hits, including Feeding the Family, Thrills, Good for You, Lots of Nothing, and Hardlight. They even treated us to the third-ever live performance of their new single, All the Noise, released just the day before. The crowd couldn’t get enough, chanting “10 MORE SONGS!” as the set ended. Caleb, smiling, explained that their “first rehearsal after 14 months” had been “very concerning,” prompting someone in the crowd to yell, “Do the whole thing again!”

The encore didn’t give us 10 songs, but we were spoiled with two more: an unreleased track from their upcoming album titled How to Kill House Plants, and the iconic Booster Seat, which claimed #2 on the Hottest 100 in 2020.

Spacey Jane’s third album, If That Makes Sense, is set to drop on May 9th, and I, for one, cannot wait.

Honestly, forget brat summer - I want a Spacey Jane summer every year. Their music is the soundtrack to youth, connection, and Australian summer vibes, and seeing them live was nothing short of magical.