Read the day one review of Sunset Sounds here.

Upon waking at the crack of noon, and still finding mud in crevices we do not speak of, this idea of holding afternoon shows is increasingly becoming more attractive. With time to blow on lunch, a brief nosey around the city and an afternoon nap, the realisation that you are yet to miss an act felt great.

However, eventually down to business in the late afternoon, Australia’s own favourite indie rock trio Children Collide wake the dead with their incredibly popular songbook. Plagued by early technical difficulties, the raw passion and rough tendency of a pure rock set fuelled the hungry crowd with ease. Never losing the momentum and applause, the boys dropped hits Social Currency and Jelly Legs to the ravenous animals in front.

After a substantial break, walking around tasting the several types of catering on offer, along with having a sneaky beak into all the knick-knack shops around the grounds, it was back into the music as future hall-of-famers The Living End stormed the main stage. With one massive cult following behind the three, and a swagger of highly-rotated singles, it was inevitable that this would be one show not to miss.

While delivering a tight show may not seem new for the boys, it is the atmosphere and showmanship which provides the night’s entertainment. Witnessing a double bass abused is one thing, but in ways most probably illegal is another, and to see Metallica-styled guitar solo firmly planted into a crowd sing-along is just hard to comprehend. Drawing similarities to early Green Day in the biggest reception gatherers White Noise and Prisoner of Society, it is without a doubt that while The Living End may still lack the quality and star status of a headline position, ability and talent beg to differ.

Before there was Gaga, there was Peaches. Taking sexuality, and abusing it to its fullest, a DJ set by Peaches leaves you violated and cowering in a corner. However, strangely you beg for more while sobbing. Rocking through a list of club bangers, with transvestites strutting their stuff live on stage, the woman behind Fuck The Pain Away really bared all. Wearing a suit made of rather large tits, and Barbie heads as the nipples, Peaches not only spun the decks but treated the stunned ravers along to a few of her own tracks with the mic in hand – a two-for. It didn’t matter if the multi-boob superstar made a mistake here or there, this is one sight one would not forget any time soon.

In all honesty and fairness, with all due respect, the addition of Joan Jett and The Blackhearts as a headliner seemed to raise a few questions. Sure I Love Rock and Roll and Bad Reputation gave great influence to future inspiring punkers, but this seemed like the wrong environment to allow the aging star to perform. Squashed between current chart-toppers and indie royalty, the inclusion of Joan Jett not only seemed awkward and out of place, but most probably did not realise who she was. Sadly, this showed as Riverstage remained vacant throughout the entirety of the set.

It was not until the final ten minutes until people began to flow in through the gates. Like gushing water from a tap, thousands flocked to catch Britain’s nu-rave dance kings close the night. Sirens howling, lights blinding and smoke engulfing the stage, the crunching percussion and pure mayhem of Atlantis to Interzone suddenly deafened all in attendance. It had been a long time between drinks since the Klaxons last touched down in Brisbane and in typical style, recent monster hit Echoes and sing-along classic Golden Skans proved the real party-starters. With recent criticism based highly on their live shows, it would be near impossible to fault the boys this fine-yet-miserable Thursday night.

After watching Brisbane’s finest gardens slowly wither away over the past two days, becoming more of a mud-bath every minute, and spending most of your evenings sprinting between stages, while squirming your way through crowds – the answer is yes. Yes, it was. It was worth every moment, it was worth every body ache and it was worth every stain. And don’t kid yourself here, it doesn’t matter how old you are, Riverstage does look like the best slip and slide Mother Nature has ever given us. Take advantage next rain season.