Follow us on
www.livemusicadelaide.com
  • HOME
    • CONTACT US
    • WHO ARE WE?
    • CONTRIBUTE
  • NEWS & INTERVIEWS
    • INTERVIEWS
  • REVIEWS
    • MUSIC REVIEWS
  • PHOTOS
    • July 2012 - July 2014
  • SOUNDWAVE
    • 2015 INTERVIEWS
    • SOUNDWAVE 2014 NEWS
    • 2014 INTERVIEWS

St Jerome's Laneway Festival at Harts Mill... That's a wrap!

2/17/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Having warmed up for Laneway Festival’s debut appearance at Port Adelaide with The National’s mind-blowing gig at Thebby the night previous, I got along down to Power heartland a little later than hoped (work really is the curse of the drinking class), but still in plenty of time for my “must-see” acts. Although in a perfect world I would’ve liked to have seen The Growl’s set, albeit with a new bass player (wasn’t that a terrible state of affairs?). It hit 36.7˚ in the city, so the Port was definitely the place to be, although it was still pretty bloody hot! So, after sorting myself a pulled pork roll and drink, I settled in at the Dolphin View Stage to a) be as close to the water and developing shade as possible, and b) check out the interestingly named, Melbourne’s Dick Diver.

With a “Carn the Power” cry they got into their set, having expressed their delight in playing at the home of Bad Boy Bubby, and proceeded to give us some laid-back pop/rock vibes not dissimilar to fellow Melbournite Courtney Barnett. I really enjoyed the bass-line of Head Back among others, with all members clearly having a good time up there, swapping instruments and such, and after a big finish they were done, making way on the Dolphin View for former Magic Dirt front-woman Adalita.


Picture
Picture
Having seen afore-mentioned former band at HQ many, many moons ago, I was very much looking forward to Adalita’s solo set, as the one thing I remember from that Magic Dirt show is the energy that she brought to the table, and was keen to see if she still “had it”. A good crowd also had similar designs seemingly, and having surrounded herself with some excellent musicians (I particularly dug drummer Dan McKay’s work) it was soon apparent that she had lost none of her spunk! A fact some idiot punter will (maybe) remember for a while, when after throwing a bottle at lead guitar Lewis and thankfully missing by a wide margin (I’d say he throws like a girl, but I’ve seen many girls throw much harder and straighter than he did), he was removed by security at Ms Srsen’s request and was manhandled hopefully out of the venue to her parting shot of “FUCK OFF”! Good for her. As far as the music goes, I really enjoyed Trust is Rust and My Ego in particular, but it was an excellent set overall, and they were a perfect lead-in to Brooklyn indie outfit Parquet Courts’ Adelaide premiere!

To say there’s a fair amount of hype attached to this band would be fair, although it depends who you hang out with I guess! Certainly, the lads have enjoyed much critical acclaim for their album Light Up Gold and I was eager to see how this would translate to the live format. Having positioned myself on the barrier for the start of the gig, these guys certainly made the big crowd gathered move with a furious intensity straight away, with crowd-surfing undertaken by almost everyone up front, seemingly. When given the double hit of Master of My Craft and Borrowed Time it went properly right off! So much so, that I thought my safety and future work prospects were better served somewhat removed from the maelstrom, so I took my older-than-the-average-festival-goer arse off to the back a bit and watched the rest of the set from there. They are just so damn cool! Seems to be the way when you come from NYC, and more specifically so, Brooklyn. Musically they kill, and it was such a tight, dynamic set that almost before we realised they’d finished they were packing up their shit (not too cool for that!), all too soon I’m afraid. Hype more than justified. My day seemed to be getting better and better, and I had high hopes that HAIM would keep the roll going.

Picture
Picture
Moving stage for the first time of the day, I made my way over to the main stage area for the Los Angeles sister act, amongst the thousands of others there to watch the uber-popular so-mainstream-they’re-cool Californian girls. Unfortunately, some poor young thing had to get carted off in a wheelchair, which I’m pretty sure she didn’t arrive in. She seemed to have lost all her motor skills (a la Johnny Depp in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), although she still had a massive smile on her dial. Hopefully she’s OK! I managed to get in all their big songs, including the early Madonna-esque If I Could Change Your Mind, before high-tailing it out of there to the Future Classic Stage, where I could breathe a bit easier, at least until Sydney’s Jagwar Ma got fired up.

This stage was also situated wharf-side, and with the tall ship “The Falie” docked immediately side of stage, it made for another cool location to watch music from. Once the psych/dance trio got started, they came from everywhere and as the sun went down and the sniffer dog got to work, we were treated to some great, groove-worthy tunes from their debut album Howlin’ such as Uncertainty, which was just awesome, The Throw and Let Her Go. With the Aboriginal flag flying proudly on The Falie matching the hat of bassist Jack Freeman, it made me wonder what those that were here 300 years ago would’ve thought of proceedings. I’m sure there would be some shaking of heads in wonder at some of the punters, but I’d like to think they would’ve appreciated the music, foreign as it would be to them! They’re really on to something these guys, and it’s not hard to see why they’re making such a big splash overseas, although not as big a splash as my next act back on the main stage, a certain young girl from New Zealand…


Picture
Picture
Once again nowhere near the front for Lorde’s performance, the just-17 international sensation was quite a coup for Laneway, what with her being the flavour of the month and all, and she didn’t disappoint her legion of fans. Belting out all her massive hits from debut LP Pure Heroine, she had the crowd in raptures for Samsung ad Royals. I read recently that she doesn’t think that’s her best song and I tend to agree, for me Team gets the nod and was maybe the best received. Ella certainly moves and sells her songs well, and it will be very interesting to see how her career progresses from here. What do you do when you’ve won 2 Grammys at the age of 17? Where do you go from there? All will be revealed in coming years, and as I pondered these questions and more, I’d conveniently made my way close to the front of the other stage in readiness for a band that I’d wanted to see for a long time, Cloud Control.

At Laneway 2011 I had to choose between seeing Cloud Control and Two Door Cinema Club who were on at the same time. I chose the latter, and certainly didn’t regret it as TDCC were exceptional, but ever since I’ve been waiting to see Cloud Control, and I wasn’t going to let this opportunity slip! I was once again starting to flag by this stage, but once the Hungry Jack’s ad Dojo Rising started I got my second wind, although it did make me think of Whoppers. I’d put off eating as the lines for all food vans were horrendous, as were lines to get a drink. This mattered little to me, once they reeled off pretty much every song you would want to hear off both their albums, including the brilliant Gold Canary, There’s Nothing In The Water We Can’t Fight and Scar which featured a big sing-along moment with the bloke in the Mack cap next to me! Unfortunately, as is often the way with festival sets, they were finished before we were ready and there was extreme disappointment on show from all around me. The Blue Mountains band were definitely worth the wait, and it made me think that everything happens for a reason, as sometimes seeing a group after 2 albums in the can makes for a better show. As long as you like the 2nd album of course, which in this case I certainly do!


Picture
Picture
My night was almost done, as was the festival’s, but it was left to The Jezabels to close the main stages, and after being intensely involved for all of Cloud Control’s set, I retreated to the far side of stage to watch a bit of Hayley and co, before making like a baby and heading out. I was out of gas, and gave them a half hour, before heading off into the Endless Summer that is South Australia at the moment. I did think that Cloud Control should have closed, but I’m glad they didn’t, as I was able to give myself an early mark!

Overall, I think Laneway has found a great venue for future years, and hopefully the organisers learn from this year and provide more of every facility. They could learn a thing or two from BDO as well, in how to handle a festival in the heat. Nonetheless, the quality of most of the acts I saw helped make it a very enjoyable day, especially as I fortuitously chose Jagwar Ma, rather than poor Chvrches who I hear didn’t get on too well!


Picture
Review by Paul Chivell
Photos by Melissa Donato. Full gallery can be seen here.
0 Comments

Big Day Out 2014

2/9/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
First cab off the major festival rank for Adelaide in 2014 was the oft-maligned, in recent years, Big Day Out. Conditions for this year's extravaganza were, as is so often the case, brutal! What with the heat-wave (again) and co-headliners Blur pulling the pin a couple of months ago, punters could've been excused for finding reasons not to go. But, to Adelaide's credit, a reported crowd of just shy of 20,000 went above and beyond in the name of music and hopefully gave organisers a boost and reason to keep the BDO coming to Adelaide for years to come. The festival's new home of Bonython Park was a good thing in the weather, with the abundance of trees providing the fans with numerous places for R&R in the shade.

By the time I'd got in, familiarised myself with my surroundings and headed straight to the free water in the media lounge, I got out to catch the 2nd half of Bundaberg, Queensland's DZ Deathrays, a "thrash pop" duo who I'd heard of, but wouldn't have been able to name a song of theirs for the life of me. It's often the way for me at these festivals, but once they cranked out Dollar Chills off their most recent LP, I was in familiar territory, due to JJJ airplay. I think I recognised local band Horror My Friend's lead singer Tom Gordon enjoying their work in the pre-midday sun and they certainly rocked out first up on the Orange Stage. I kinda wished I was there in time for their entire set!

Straight over then to the neighbouring Blue Stage where Bluejuice's stage backdrop left the largish crowd gathered in no doubt of their stance on the gay rights issue and the band themselves were decked out in mankini-type get-up, but with full leggings, all bright, tight, golden and spandex! It was hilarious! The sort of thing you really don't want to look at, but you can't help yourself, especially when they're energetically belting out too-cool up-beat tunes, as they were. Once the keyboard started up for Vitriol their set really lit up, and they kept it going the whole way through. Inevitably, for Act Yr Age the leggings went, and jocks (still bright gold) were costume of choice for the rest of the set. Stav and Jake really know how to have a good time, and it wasn't only the roadie who was cracking a smile as Jake crowd-surfed to S.O.S., and sent us all right off with their massive hit of a few years back, Broken Leg. Guaranteed to put a smile on your dial!


Picture
Finding myself with half an hour to kill before Kingswood, I strolled back over to the Orange Stage and caught up with a mate who was keen to catch Portugal. The Man's set, as he was a bit of a fan, and I'd been to Portugal. The Country just last year, so... Anyway, it turns out these guys are from Alaska (fish out of water much?!) and they weren't half bad! Once again, I recognised one of their songs from the J's, and then, making plans to investigate P.TM more, off I went to the JBL Stage for Kingswood's set.

I had wanted to see these guys live for some time, and as the sun started to get really cruel I made my way to the barriers for a close-up of the hard-rockers from Melbourne. Getting hosed down and accepting numerous cups of water from security was all part of the experience as they thrilled the big crowd with crackers from their Change of Heart EP and single Sucker Punch from their upcoming album. Fergus' scream at the start of Medusa gave me goose bumps (it was either that or an early symptom of heat stroke), and their Like a Version of First Aid Kit's Wolf was well-received. When they finished up with Hottest 100 entry Ohio, for a brief moment you didn't give a shit about the heat! Very brief moment it was though, with Grouplove and re-hydration my next mission.


Picture
Another band I was sure would be great fun live, the Californians didn't let me down, and gave a seemingly bigger crowd again a cracking set, probably the best 45 minutes of the day (to that point at least)! Once again front and centre, I had prime viewing of Christian and Hannah (more importantly!) and their super-energetic renditions of their big hits as well as some tracks off last year's Spreading Rumours, which all went down a treat. Itchin' On A Photograph was awesome early doors, and towards the end when we got Ways To Go, we were almost as high as the passing Qantas jet, and those that took Christian's advice at the start probably were! Hannah looked AMAZING in her skeletal body suit; suffice to say I'll remember it for a loooong time! I wish Adelaide got the occasional side show, as this is one act I want to see again.

Much needed R&R followed (I was knackered!), and then back to the main stages to check out Swedish lads The Hives. Not really knowing what to expect is the best way to approach a gig a lot of the time, and I was enthralled by these guys. Massive extrovert Pelle (perfect character trait for a front-man) had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand and denied us the opportunity to try and take it easy during their set, which was exactly what was needed as the punters started to flag. Go Right Ahead became "Go Adelaide" (SA Tourism could do worse??), ninja roadies added to the spectacle and an extended finish with Tick Tick Boom was brilliant. "Polar bears in the Sahara" they might have been, but I was stoked they were one of Blur's replacements nonetheless.


Picture
It was then time for a sit down and a feed before getting in position nice and early for my biggest drawcard on the bill, Arcade Fire. After Beady Eye finished up their set on the Blue Stage with the Stones’ Gimme Shelter, it was time for Montreal’s finest to grace us with their presence. And so, to rapturous applause the band came out in massive papier maché heads and started with Blur’s Song 2 to much amusement from all and sundry. But wait! Arcade Fire then appeared from side of stage to push the fake band off to get things started for real with the cracking track off the most amazing Reflektor, Normal Person. Which to me has more than just a touch of Ian Hunter’s Once Bitten, Twice Shy about it? Husband Win and wife Régine and company then proceeded to thrill us with their multi-instrumental organised chaos, which included a brilliant rendition of (my favourite) Ready to Start, and with Reflektor coming straight after, we were completely under their spell, and you wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else in that moment, regardless of the oppressive heat! Fortunately by this stage, the sun was starting to set, and we punters started to find new life, which we needed for the tickertape finish that was Here Comes the Night Time, another of the new tracks that was amaze-balls live. With plenty for fans old and new, this is another band I wished had done a sideshow in Radelaide, and will seek out to see again. They would have to be the best Canadians to visit our fair state since… Justin Bieber? Or maybe before that? Bryan Adams then!

I had basically nothing left after that brilliance, and knew I couldn’t give Pearl Jam my utmost attention for the full 2½ hours of their set, so I wandered around aimlessly for a while before sitting down in time to see a super, extended version of Better Man before the first encore, and then made my way a bit closer for the rest of their set, which was pretty good timing as I got to see Jeremy, Alive and a cool version of Throw Your Arms Around Me. Ten was a pretty important cassette (remember them!) for me in my early years, so it was good to hear a few off that. I’d seen them before, and they were no less energetic this time around, notwithstanding a few songs short of what Sydney got, apparently. Did I mention it was hot??!! And so, after a not-so-rocking finish with Yellow Ledbetter (I really wanted Rearviewmirror!), I dragged my sorry arse out the door. The last band of the night is always a struggle for me at BDO, I can only be so high for so long!

Certainly for me, another great BDO, I had an amazing time and hope it keeps coming to Adelaide for many years to come. Every act I saw made special mention of how amazed and humbled they were with the Adelaide crowd’s passion for their music in the most unfavourable conditions, so big-ups to us! Bring on Laneway in 38˚C this Friday!!!


Review by Paul Chivell

0 Comments

    Archives

    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012

    Categories

    All
    A Day To Remember
    All Time Low
    Alpine
    Amity Affliction
    Big Day Out 2013
    Big Day Out 2014
    Bodyjar
    Bring Me The Horizon
    British India
    Bury Tomorrow
    California Cousin
    Children Collide
    Clare Bowditch
    Clowns Of Decadence
    Confession
    Courtney Love
    Dead Letter Circus
    Deez Nuts
    Deftones
    Dinosaur Jr
    Fear Factory
    Firewind
    Gomez
    Graves
    Grinspoon
    Hell City Glamours
    I Killed The Prom Queen
    In Hearts Wake
    Kasabian
    Kiss
    Laneway 2014
    Life Pilot
    Live Carnage At The Cavern
    Lorde
    Muse
    New Paradigm
    Paper Arms
    Paper Kites
    Paramore
    Parkway Drive
    Paul Dempsey
    Peter Murphy
    Refused
    Riot Runners
    Safia
    Shihad
    Silverstein
    Something For Kate
    Soundwave
    Spiderbait
    Spin Off Festival
    Steel Panther
    Tame Impala
    Terror
    The Bronx
    The Ghost Inside
    The Lizards
    The Smith Street Band
    The Superjesus
    The Used/Taking Back Sunday
    Tim Rogers Telstra Road To Discovery
    Tool
    Vans Warped Tour 2013
    Violent Soho
    Voyager
    You Me At Six / Tonight Alive

    RSS Feed

Picture