BASSINTHEGRASS 2025: The Jungle Giants return to the Top End’s biggest music festival for second time

The Jungle Giants – the Australian indie band with more than 1.7 million monthly streams on Spotify – are set to headline this year’s BASSINTHEGRASS for the second year in a row. Find out what they have to say ahead of the act.

From L-R: Cesira Aitken, lead guitar; Sam Hales, guitar; Andrew Dooris, bass; Keelan Bijker, acoustic drum.

Growing up more than an hour’s drive from Brisbane, Andrew Dooris and The Jungle Giants are intimately aware of the musical challenges posed by living in a small town.

“We totally get it,” said Dooris, the band’s bassist.

“But that starvation from music, creative arts and creative experiences was definitely what drove us to do music at a high level and to make our own thing.”

Returning for their second time, the four-piece Australian indie band will headline this year’s highly anticipated BASSINTHEGRASS music festival on May 17.

The Jungle Giants – who have more than 1.7 million monthly streams on Spotify – will perform on the Palm Stage from 9pm.

The Jungle Giants have “a few surprises” up their sleeves.

While cautious to not spoil anything, Dooris said he and the band had “a few surprises” in store.

“I’d like to keep it mysterious,” he said.

Surprises or not, the decision to come back to Darwin was an easy one, said Dooris.

“It’s a huge part of our story and we love it,” he said.

“Darwin is a really special … wild and amazing place.”

“The wild nature of the Northern Territory is totally aligned with The Jungle Giants’ vibe.

Thousands of Territorians gather at Mindil Beach each year for BASSINTHEGRASS.

No matter where they perform, however, Dooris said having fun and inspiring the next generation of talent was what he and The Jungle Giants were all about.

“Coming up and playing for those crowds and what it means for us is playing to our younger selves and playing to the next generation of people who are so in need of creative expression and creative freedom,” he said.

“We’re on this journey, continually improving our live show and giving more and more to our passion for playing live,” he said.

“This year has been a bit of a whirlwind … but we have a renewed energy that’s just sweeping through us, and a lot of that energy has gone into our live shows.”

The Jungle Giants pictured in 2021.

“I think now more than ever you’re going to see a really polished Jungle Giants.”

But most importantly, Dooris said he hoped Territorians could find enjoyment from their headline act.

“Hold My Hand, our latest single, has been going really well live and we cannot wait to see how Territorians put their spin on it.

“Each time we play the song to new crowds it just keeps taking on a new life of its own, and that’s a really beautiful thing to see.

“I hope you notice all the little fun tricks and all the fun that we’ve had making this live show for this festival.”

Originally published as BASSINTHEGRASS 2025: The Jungle Giants return to the Top End’s biggest music festival for second time