(no subject)
Starting with - The Subways at the Amplifier on Saturday night.
Tops night. First beer for a while, and I did feel the effects of that rather quick.
Arrived at around 9, interesting taxi driver, funny guy, nice fireworks on the way in. Missed the first band, but went in early to get a spot for the next band. The Wednesday Society. By god, they were SHITE! How they manage to play at the Amplifier is beyond me. Very very bland indeed.
Came to see The Subways and they certainly delivered. Had only heard the album twice beforehand, but their live show was awesome. Heaps of energy, and they sounded great. Charlotte the bass player was jumping around everywhere, and Billy’s voice really cut through the air. Highlight was him jumping in the crowd and re-surfacing on top of the bar on the other side of the room. Rock n roll.
Anyway, top show and they certainly won me over.
Sunday was Big Day Out day. Lift in with sis was handy, appreciated and we managed to find a parking spot quite easily.
I had already kind of planned out the day in my head, but it wasn’t helped when all the programmes had mysteriously not been delivered to the grounds. Poor form.
To continue on from the night before, the first band we saw were The Subways. The Amplifier show was better - as expected - but they impressed again. Great energy. I thought they interacted best with the crowd out of all the bands I saw. Billy jumped in the crowd twice AND climbed the stage rigging for good measure. Their drummer is also impressive, didn’t see his face from all the head banging, but he was a heavy hitter and it was good to see.
We walked around to the hill behind the oval to watch Wolfmother from a distance. They were ok, but it just feels like they're missing something. I do own the album, and it is an enjoyable listen when you’re in the mood for it, but I don't think they have the stage presence or the live show to back up the hype. Nice hair though. Couldn't believe how many Wolfmother shirts there were around the place.
Now the next band, The Magic Numbers were my best of the day. They were the ones I was most interested in seeing….in fact I probably would not have gone had they not been on the bill. The breakdowns, melody and the jam they threw in at the end were all jawdropping really. I just love their song structures. Didn't pull as big a crowd as I was expecting but sensational stuff. Both the girls voices just fit in so perfectly with Romeo, the frontman’s voice. Spine tingling moment when Angela sung in “I See You, I See Me”.
Henry Rollins was also good. Few people around us wouldn't shut up while we were trying to listen, but Victoria soon took care of them. I agreed with everything he said, will try and check out some more of his spoken word stuff.
The Mars Volta were also brilliant. Probably twice as good as when I saw them last. Jon Theodore is a fucking awesome drummer. He was hitting hard, and it felt like the whole band were reading off him. I think the Bonham comparisons are warranted, one of the best live drumming performances i've ever seen. Enough to make you want to take up drums. That inspiring.
It was also amusing watching everyone climb up into the trees, and the security guards try to get them down.
Caught the last Iggy song and the end of Kings of Leon. Bit bummed I missed the Beasts of Bourbon as from what i'm reading around the place they put on a great set. Apparently James Baker got up and did a song with them.
White Stripes were ok, but would be great to see in a smaller venue. It’s hard not to be impressed by what they’re doing. No doubting the guy’s talent, anyone that can play a song like that on the Marimba has my respect.
Jack White is looking more and more like Michael Jackson though.