Big Day Out has been and gone for another year leaving many with some good memories, sun burn or maybe a hangover.
The Big Day Out has been seriously challenged, but no doubt they can hold their collective heads high after putting on a well-run event focused on rebuilding and luring the naysayers back to the fold. Some 19,000 passed through the turnstiles at Wayville which is a fair return given how contentious the line up was, stirring much debate amongst music lovers, festival goers and punters in general. No doubt the debate will still rage on until next year’s line up is announced. On paper the line up looked a little light and lacking some big names to fill the bill with headliners Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Killers not having the fan momentum to sell out all the Big Day Out’s off their own back.
The Big Day Out has been seriously challenged, but no doubt they can hold their collective heads high after putting on a well-run event focused on rebuilding and luring the naysayers back to the fold. Some 19,000 passed through the turnstiles at Wayville which is a fair return given how contentious the line up was, stirring much debate amongst music lovers, festival goers and punters in general. No doubt the debate will still rage on until next year’s line up is announced. On paper the line up looked a little light and lacking some big names to fill the bill with headliners Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Killers not having the fan momentum to sell out all the Big Day Out’s off their own back.
The Big Day Out has been given a face lift and the input from US consortium C3 was obvious from an event management and logistics perspective. The introduction of Chow Town and the much discussed festival “food court” has totally revitalised the whole concept of festival catering. Gone were the dodgy hot dogs, soggy chips and chiko rolls replaced by hand crumbed drumsticks or pork burgers and much more for similar prices as the traditional offerings. Some different ticket options like the “Like A Boss” ticket brings the VIP experience to those wanting a little more. Other distractions (if main stage action wasn’t enough) included the El Jimador Mexican Wrestling Club, the Red Bull No Noise Night Club and The Lilypad.
Everything aside, it was about the music and as far as the weather goes it was perfect. One of my biggest gripes was the scheduling of bands this time round. With a scaled back line up it meant there were alot of clashes particularly with the international acts leaving punters with the tough choice of seeing this at the expense of that or seeing a bit of this and a bit of that. With Adelaide’s tarnished reputation of getting international acts to town it is unlikely we’ll see acts such as Alabama Shakes play here again, so seeing them at the expense of not witnessing the brilliant Yeah Yeah Yeahs was a tough one to consider – pass me a coin!
Early on the schedule I found myself roaming around the showgrounds aimlessly as there really wasn’t much to get excited about, even on the main stage. So, it was good to be able to soak it up and check out a lot of acts that ordinarily I wouldn’t go and see. Catching a good chunk of Grinspoon, it seems as if they’re a Big Day Out staple these days. The anthemic Hard Act To Follow was stellar and current single Passer By was really rocking.
Early on the schedule I found myself roaming around the showgrounds aimlessly as there really wasn’t much to get excited about, even on the main stage. So, it was good to be able to soak it up and check out a lot of acts that ordinarily I wouldn’t go and see. Catching a good chunk of Grinspoon, it seems as if they’re a Big Day Out staple these days. The anthemic Hard Act To Follow was stellar and current single Passer By was really rocking.
Always a pleasure and a real treat seeing Band Of Horses play with their set bringing back good memories of their show at The Gov a couple of years ago. It was a really good opportunity to sit on the grass and chillax as they worked their way through the back catalogue. The Great Salt Lake, Cigarette’s, Wedding Bands, The General Specific and new track Knock Knock were stand-outs, but none more so as The Funeral, which made the crowd take note.
Vampire Weekend have been on my list for a while to see now with their last show selling out in no time at all. The indie kids love ‘em, but having said that, they aren’t the most dynamic or interesting of bands to watch. They do have a pile of hits to pull out, and the highlight moments were the “Ey! Ey! Ey! Ey!” calls during A-Punk or the joyful falsetto sing along in One (Blake’s Got A New Face). Would my experience been better served checking out Childish Gambino or Off? Probably, by all accounts!
Vampire Weekend have been on my list for a while to see now with their last show selling out in no time at all. The indie kids love ‘em, but having said that, they aren’t the most dynamic or interesting of bands to watch. They do have a pile of hits to pull out, and the highlight moments were the “Ey! Ey! Ey! Ey!” calls during A-Punk or the joyful falsetto sing along in One (Blake’s Got A New Face). Would my experience been better served checking out Childish Gambino or Off? Probably, by all accounts!
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs were probably the first point in the day where I was genuinely excited about what was about to unfold. The band had been promising new material, and they delivered with Mosquito third song in. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are a class act and the kooky Karen O adds another dimension to their performance. Cheated Hearts, Pin and Art Star were fabulous to see before making a quick bolt over to the Green Stage to catch a bit of Alabama Shakes, (fortunately I got to see them play their big hit Hold On) before bolting back to catch the end of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs set. They finished off in a blaze of glory with Y Control, Gold Lion and the infectious Heads Will Roll.
The Killers really lifted the bar giving punters that massive stadium rock show they had been hanging out for all day. The light show was impressive and so too was their stage get up. Opening with Mr Brightside it was game on. Brandon Flowers proved to be the charismatic front man holding down the fort famously, but his fellow colleagues Dave Keuning (guitar) and Mark Stoermer looked extremely disinterested and like they would rather be somewhere else. It was a ‘greatest hits’ set with a couple of newies by way of lead single Runaways and Miss Atomic Bomb. Even now songs such as Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine and Somebody Told Me are just as good as they were when they made their Big Day Out debut six years ago. The attempt of Crowded House’s Don’t Dream It’s Over was brash but well received. Finishing with When You Were Young makes me wonder if there is a hidden message in there about whether they’ll return to our shores sometime soon, or not at all.
The crowd really started to pack the main arena to catch the headliner the Red Hot Chili Peppers. By this stage the evening chill had set in and it was damn freezing! There was a sense of anticipation during the short break with the crowd getting excited when they took to the stage, kicking off with Monarchy Of Roses. I can understand why fans love them as they have a massive arsenal of hits but they really don’t cut the mustard for me. Anthony Kiedis darts around the stage like someone half his age and Flea maintains a ferocious pace for the entire set. All the usual suspects were there such as Around The World, Scar Tissue, Under The Bridge and Californication. The David Bowie cover What In The World was an interesting choice. With interest waning it was off to catch Sleigh Bells and Animal Collective to finish off the night – both of which had bugger all people watching.
As an event, the Big Day Out is still relevant and should remain an integral part of the summer music calendar, so fingers crossed they can keep rebuilding this festival and offer punters even more for 2014. Hats off to all the volunteers who contribute in a number of different ways to keep this event running smoothly.
Review by Rob Lyon.
Photos by Melissa Donato and Supernova Photographics.
Full gallery can be seen here.
Review by Rob Lyon.
Photos by Melissa Donato and Supernova Photographics.
Full gallery can be seen here.
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