Pre Big Day Out is always the same. Someone asks you if your going a few days before, you realize it’s this coming weekend and start freaking out. You don’t know how you’re getting there, you forgot to put extra money away, your camera is in your mate’s car, but you’re riddled with excitement – it’s a shambles. But nothing says “I’m here to rock n’ roll” quite like having no plan, so I organized a lift an hour before it started and off I was to arguably the biggest event of 2008.
The weather was not your typical BDO sunshine that guarantees the “cooked lobster” look, but rather a muggy overcast that had most people leaving their SPF 40 in the car. However, the clouds didn’t take away the heat – so instead of a dry scorching desert, it was more of a tropical rainforest vibe (with a lot more sweaty drunk people). Upon arrival at the gate, I realised the brand new chucks I was wearing were going to have my heels red raw within 15 minutes. Note to self – chucks only good when they are about 5 years old. Luckily I had a friend with thongs in their bag (as you do), and decided to ditch the shoes underneath the ticket booth. $80 for no blisters, a worthy price to pay.
Now I hate jerks who jump the fence – uncool. They are the reason I’m paying more for my ticket and they get in for free which is equally annoying. But I have to commend at least the efforts of the punters who hurled themselves over the fence amongst two massive security guards after hearing the ghastly thuds on the other side while their backs no doubt hit a bed of twigs and mud. I hope it was worth it. First off the bat was NZ’s finest export, indie-powerpop’ers Cut Off Your Hands. A 12.30pm slot seemed a little hasty seeing the recent success from these guys, along with all the people I knew who were flagging them as a highlight of the day. Voice crisp, atmosphere electric, ecstatic crowd – an excellent first sip of the proverbial BDO goon sack.
After lining up at the dreaded BDO drink ticket booth for more than 50 minutes and moving about 3 metres forward, I ditched the alcohol dream and headed for the Midnight Juggernauts. It was great to see the Melbourne heroes pull such a great crowd, the Road to Recovery intro was amazing and throughout the whole set amazing sound. I especially enjoyed the small improvs and mashed together tracks that they have added to the setlist since seeing them last. I have to say the one thing I say everytime I hear the Juggers play live though – singing lessons.
Time to get crunk – Dizzee Rascal. My first Boiler Room act of the day and after a brief encounter with a huge mud puddle, the place was on fire. It was great to see Dizzee welcomed with such open arms as I was skeptical how people would take him just after the super acid grooves of local veteran Jonny G. Opening with He’s Just a Rascal, Just a Rascal sent the crowd into a frenzee, with consistency, energy and style from start to finish. Highlights of the set included favourites like Old Skool and Sirens, but of course the one that had everyone re-creating a scene out of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ was Stand Up Tall. Although I didn’t expect it, a total highlight of the day.
It was definitely time for a taste of something unusual, so I headed past Hilltop Hoods, who, with their symphony orchestra, were as fantastic as ever. Although personally I can only take the Adelaide boys for so long – they no doubt are always a favourite at festivals, impressing the whole spectrum from bogan to princess, fantastic, yo! I thought to myself at this point, you know what, the sound has been excellent! Last year my BDO was very soured by the waiving sound throughout the day, but it looked like the organizers had taken last years criticism and made a mend, which is always beneficial when you’re trying to give your ears a good thrashing.
A quick look at Tom Morello under his acoustic guise The Nightwatchmen (he’s better known as the maestro guitarist for headliners Rage Against the Machine of course) was definitely a pleasure and I must recommend at least a quick look to everyone. Although I only stayed for two tracks it was clear the passion that went into this music. Only one guy with an acoustic guitar and a harmonica, it was extraordinary to see how much positive response was coming out of the captivated audience. As could be expected, politically driven lyrics and interlude conversation was a must, but it was especially funny when he lost his cool at the sound tech when a collaborative artist hadn’t shown up for a track. He apologized on stage later though, and all seemed well.
I know made it back over to the beloved boiler room for Melbourne based electronic veterans PNAU. After seeing a rather so-so performance from front man Nick Littlemore as Teenager last Splendour, I was really hoping he could swing me back into a fan. I must say I doubted PNAU’s ability to rock a steaming boiling room at 4.30pm, but I was put in my place by the very first track. As Wild Strawberries came hammering out, a sea of appreciative hands when flailing into the air as an actual suited up wild strawberry came dancing onto the stage. By the time Baby hit the soundbox, and Nick was joined by Operator Please frontgirl Amanda Wilkinson, I was sold. I’m expecting huge things from PNAU in 2008.
The place was starting to get that late afternoon tension where although there was still a few good acts to see, the excitement of RATM had everyone noticeably on edge. Arcade Fire didn’t really produce what I was expecting, although musically diverse and very tight, the live show did not ignite much emotion within the massive crowd now swelling around the main stages. Silverchair delivered a truly inspiring and amazing show alongside old time buddy Paul Mac. Mixing new hits with old favourites, it was incredible to see how far this band has come since their humble Newcastle beginnings. Tight track composure, improvisation, big impromptu breakdowns, guitar behind the head (Hendrix style) – it was all there. However, amazing show or not, in between tracks Daniel Johns felt it appropriate to speak in a full blown American accent. It was beyond annoying. Further to that, he would say things like “repping for my dogs” and “yall” and other uncalled for ghetto slang. Despite 99.9 per cent of the crowd yelling “shut the f**k up and play the song”, I think all was forgiven once their rendition of Freak was played.
As Bjork hit the stage in an outfit that resembled the Technicolour Dreamcoat, I was expecting a visual display of gigantic proportions. Unfortunately this wasn’t the case, however the Nordic pop princess did deliver an entertaining live spectacle, joined by her son onstage, although I think it would have been more appropriate earlier in the day. The ending explosion of paper over the audience was very cool though. In the short ten minute interim that I had to get a spot for RATM, I witnessed pretty much the craziest thing ever. It was two lunatics, dubbed The Lords Of Lightning, dressed in chainmail suits shooting electricity from their bodies and at each other. A far cry from traditional fire twirling and the like. And overlooking the intense crowd that had now jam packed themselves into what seemed now like a tiny area was a crazy spectacle. I can honestly say in my seven odd years of on/off service to the Big Day Out, it was by far the craziest.
Rage Against The Machine’s debut album was the first I ever bought, I’ve loved this band since the dawn of time and never seen them live. Although I was understandably excited, I kept thinking, after all this time – the new bands, the tension, the rumours – are they really going to deliver to my expectations? Were they going to pull off the same kind of intense show I used to watch day in, day out on VHS back in the day? The moment I heard Bulls on Parade, I instantly knew there was not a chance in hell that this show wasn’t going to be everything I expected and more. Zac De La Rocha’s vocals have remained so amazing it made my head spin. The tightness of Tom Morello’s guitar, Tim Commerford’s bass and drummer Brad Wilk made it seem unbelievable that this epic band had ever broken up.
It’s hard to pinpoint highlights with a setlist that had everyone screaming at the start of every track. Coupled with Tom Morello’s guitar effect work, which puts synthesizer gurus to shame, this set was true quality from start to finish. Still one of the most amazing live acts in the world. After Rage left the stage, there was the obvious lack of that track which every person in the place wanted to hear, so it wasn’t a surprise when they came back on and pumped out an insane rendition of Killing In The Name.
After taking about 30 minutes to get out of the venue, then about 1.5 hours to get out of the parking lot we paid $20 for, your thoughts turn to whether or not it was worth it? All the drunks, the sun, the expensive drinks, the parking. A quick look at what you’re really thinking here gives you your answer. Withstanding a few people and a few inconveniences to be blessed with a day’s worth of music that could rival what some used to see in an entire lifetime? That’s what rock n’ roll is all about!
MeliJane says...
Awesome write-up Casey; Well Done!! :)
adwho says...
My experience of the day was highlighted by sweaty drunk bogans as far as the eye can see with no sense of self preservation, this coupled with the great expense of tickets, parking, water, and large waiting times for anything has put me off this gig for good. The communal soul of thousands of genuinely music crazed punters at a BDO used to represent for me has been irrevocably damaged. To top it off the sound for BJORK was badly mixed beyond belief... *supposed to be the highlight of my day*... although, it was touching to finally see the icelandic princess jumping around in style like the drummer girl she is. My advice, don't waste your money, go to a gig where you have enough room to breathe, and your fellow punters are there for one thing, THE MUSIC!!! Save your money and travel to see your favorite artists perform on their terms...
elbie says...
"...so I headed past Hilltop Hoods, who, with their symphony orchestra, were as fantastic as ever". UNFORTUNATELY... The Hoods are not fortunate enough to have travelled with an entire symphony orchestra - this would have taken up most of the stage and if you would have been paying any attention at all you would have noticed they were there with a mere string quartet. Their sound on the day was also so inferior that none of the strings could be heard. Were you at the same gig? Or did you just read someone else's review of the event???