Big Day Out - Perth, 28th January 2013
Words: Jacqui Hay
The final show of the 2013 Big Day Out tour rolled into Perth in perfect conditions - magic weather and the final day of the Australia Day weekend. This year the event pulled over 30,000 people to Claremont showgrounds (no doubt a great relief to organisers). The congested entry experienced in previous years seemed a distant memory as patrons glided through the well manned front gate and into the mayhem and excitement that is the day of choice for a wide range of music enthusiasts.
It was barely past lunchtime when local Melbourne talent ME walked into the bright sunshine. The alternative rock band, with their characteristic Queen-like menacing melodies, quickly took control of the Big Day Out main stage. Unfortunately, vocalist Luke Ferris’s captivating falsetto was drowned out by the competing base guitar and drums, making it hard for listeners to decipher the lyrics of this intriguing act.
Following on, as the weather heated up, a modest mosh pit began to form in the D Barrier as the heavy bass and screaming vocals of US metal band Every Time I Die impressed a handful of young of Aussie bogans. Lead singer Keith Buckley demanded that the crowd “bang your fucking heads” and got the crowd running in circles as they cranked out tracks including Wanderlust, Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space and I Suck (Blood).
Last year, Against Me lead singer and guitarist Thomas Gable announced his intention to undergo the transgender process, taking the name Laura Jane Grace. This festival season, this punk rock band certainly gave fans something else to talk about! The rebellious and dynamic punk rockers pleased a modest assortment of predominantly younger fans as they show-cased their ever changing sound, kicking off their set with Americans Abroad and White People for Peace. Super-drummer Adam Willard (AKA Atom), temporarily filling the seat of recently departed Jay Weinberg, assisted the band in delivering their familiar sound and the more feminine Gable has certainly not changed the vocal delivery. Supported by guitarist James Bowman and bassist Andrew Seward, the band provided an amazing performance, keeping the crowd and mosh pit alive with tracks like White Crosses, I Was a Teenage Anarchist, Thrash Unreal, and Black Me Out.
It was barely past lunchtime when local Melbourne talent ME walked into the bright sunshine. The alternative rock band, with their characteristic Queen-like menacing melodies, quickly took control of the Big Day Out main stage. Unfortunately, vocalist Luke Ferris’s captivating falsetto was drowned out by the competing base guitar and drums, making it hard for listeners to decipher the lyrics of this intriguing act.
Following on, as the weather heated up, a modest mosh pit began to form in the D Barrier as the heavy bass and screaming vocals of US metal band Every Time I Die impressed a handful of young of Aussie bogans. Lead singer Keith Buckley demanded that the crowd “bang your fucking heads” and got the crowd running in circles as they cranked out tracks including Wanderlust, Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space and I Suck (Blood).
Last year, Against Me lead singer and guitarist Thomas Gable announced his intention to undergo the transgender process, taking the name Laura Jane Grace. This festival season, this punk rock band certainly gave fans something else to talk about! The rebellious and dynamic punk rockers pleased a modest assortment of predominantly younger fans as they show-cased their ever changing sound, kicking off their set with Americans Abroad and White People for Peace. Super-drummer Adam Willard (AKA Atom), temporarily filling the seat of recently departed Jay Weinberg, assisted the band in delivering their familiar sound and the more feminine Gable has certainly not changed the vocal delivery. Supported by guitarist James Bowman and bassist Andrew Seward, the band provided an amazing performance, keeping the crowd and mosh pit alive with tracks like White Crosses, I Was a Teenage Anarchist, Thrash Unreal, and Black Me Out.
Between bands, a visit to the newly established Chow Town provided an assortment of cuisines of a higher standard than the usual festival fare and the opportunity for fans to rehydrate and recharge for the later headliners. The Lilly Pad maintained its usual nakedness and mischief, but with an expanded lineup featuring Lucha Vavoom, a mixture of authentic Mexican Masked Wrestling, striptease & comedy. A perfect fit for Duckpond and his friends in the 'pad.
Mid afternoon, a packed crowd waited in anticipation for Grinspoon to take to the main stage. The noticeably more coherent Phil Jamieson was up to his usual antics, spraying the crowd in champagne and showing off his rather eccentric dance moves. The band fired up the troops as they opened their set with Hard Act to Follow, Passerby and Run. Keen to please, they continued to mesmerize the masses with hits from across their long career, including DCx3, Rockshow, Chemical Heart, Champion, and finishing up with the evergreen Post Enebriated Anxiety.
A hot tip from an Italian tourist, Alabama Shakes presented a unique blend of rock mixed with blues and soul. Lead singer Brittany Howard shared her husky vocals and mood raising rhythms as dusk settled over the Claremont Showgrounds. Even on first impression, the power ballad vocals of this diva are amazing, with a beautiful falsetto displaying so much range and emotion. The band was a must see and delivered amazing guitar riffs and a great bluesy melodic rock feel. Brittany Howard is the Aretha Franklin of the new age.
Competing set times made it difficult for a full appreciation of Canadian experimental electronic act Crystal Castles, but a short glimpse between acts proved the reputation for their wild live shows is indeed intact. Alice Glass maintained her famous lack of respect for her own safety by launching herself into the crowd with a mighty stage-dive and crowd surfing while effortlessly delivering her lyrics.
Mid afternoon, a packed crowd waited in anticipation for Grinspoon to take to the main stage. The noticeably more coherent Phil Jamieson was up to his usual antics, spraying the crowd in champagne and showing off his rather eccentric dance moves. The band fired up the troops as they opened their set with Hard Act to Follow, Passerby and Run. Keen to please, they continued to mesmerize the masses with hits from across their long career, including DCx3, Rockshow, Chemical Heart, Champion, and finishing up with the evergreen Post Enebriated Anxiety.
A hot tip from an Italian tourist, Alabama Shakes presented a unique blend of rock mixed with blues and soul. Lead singer Brittany Howard shared her husky vocals and mood raising rhythms as dusk settled over the Claremont Showgrounds. Even on first impression, the power ballad vocals of this diva are amazing, with a beautiful falsetto displaying so much range and emotion. The band was a must see and delivered amazing guitar riffs and a great bluesy melodic rock feel. Brittany Howard is the Aretha Franklin of the new age.
Competing set times made it difficult for a full appreciation of Canadian experimental electronic act Crystal Castles, but a short glimpse between acts proved the reputation for their wild live shows is indeed intact. Alice Glass maintained her famous lack of respect for her own safety by launching herself into the crowd with a mighty stage-dive and crowd surfing while effortlessly delivering her lyrics.
After dark, returning headliners Red Hot Chili Peppers created chaos, as fans rushed in to catch a glimpse of favourites Anthony Kiedis and Flea. Every square inch of space was taken! Members of the audience were bewildered as they opened with Monarchy of Roses from their latest album By the Way. Unfortunately, the sound just wasn’t quite right. However, the problem was quickly rectified and the band exploded into a killer version of Around the World, led by Flea and his incredible bass solo. Playing a mix of old and new songs from their brilliant career including Scar Tissue, Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Under the Bridge, Californication, and By the Way, new guitarist John Klinghoffer proved he could easily fill the big shoes of the departed John Frusciante.
With immense support from fans, the band returned with an encore of old favourites including their cover of Stevie Wonder’s funky Higher Ground, Soul to Squeeze from the Coneheads soundtrack and the first single from 1991’s Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Give it Away.
As the action on the main stage ended, those still keen for more tunes quickly marched their way around to the Boiler Room to catch the last few songs of Italian dance-punk act The Bloody Beetroots. Those lucky enough to witness their festival ending set were driven into a frenzy with an intense show of live dark-techno-house beats that even had organisers concerned at one stage.
After last year’s debacle with a significantly smaller show and low ticket sales forcing a venue change, it was great to see the Big Day Out back in full swing, with an awesome display of up-and-coming talent and old favourites. While perhaps still not back to the crowd numbers of its glory days, it’s safe to say the Big Day Out is here to stay!
With immense support from fans, the band returned with an encore of old favourites including their cover of Stevie Wonder’s funky Higher Ground, Soul to Squeeze from the Coneheads soundtrack and the first single from 1991’s Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Give it Away.
As the action on the main stage ended, those still keen for more tunes quickly marched their way around to the Boiler Room to catch the last few songs of Italian dance-punk act The Bloody Beetroots. Those lucky enough to witness their festival ending set were driven into a frenzy with an intense show of live dark-techno-house beats that even had organisers concerned at one stage.
After last year’s debacle with a significantly smaller show and low ticket sales forcing a venue change, it was great to see the Big Day Out back in full swing, with an awesome display of up-and-coming talent and old favourites. While perhaps still not back to the crowd numbers of its glory days, it’s safe to say the Big Day Out is here to stay!