Future Music Festival - Perth, 3rd March 2013
Words: Todd Lockley
So the "Diab-lol-ically" big headliner Avicii called in sick, DJ Fresh decided not to show up. Perth’s Future Music Festival 2013 went off with more organizational hitches than any other year; this year’s edition saw the organisers change the format creating a most un-enjoyable affair.
Rudimental brought the love early with the crowd singing along to the commercial DnB instant classics Feel The Love and Not Giving In. Meanwhile, on the Mariachi stage, Fun. were launching into their equally catchy hits We Are Young and Some Nights - though disappointing they were with their somewhat One Direction- like stage presence. Pitiful.
A-Trak had some tasty beats cranking to an up for it crowd but as far as the electronic side of things went he was the only highlight of the day. Sure, Steve Aoki had a decent sound coming out of the main stage, but if you think back to last year when Skrillex had a heaving crowd at the main arena at the same time of day going nuts for it, this year was a total ho-hum affair.
Back on the Mariachi stage, The Temper Trap took the prize for set of the day. Real music, played by real musicians. The haunting voice of Dougy Mandagi was just what the doctor ordered, as Trembling hands, Science Of Fear and Sweet Disposition brought a little tenderness to the gurned up shirtless ‘roiders chewing their foreheads off in all corners of Arena Joondalup.
In the Green Room tent, locals Black And Blunt, Get More and Ekko and Sidetrack delivered the party vibes for the good dance music faithful, however the same can’t be said for EDM abomination Borgore whose sloppy brand of dubstep should only be heard by Death Row prisoners so they're a little excited to sit in the chair.
The inclusion of old school alternative legends The Stone Roses brought a huge British contingent to the festival to sing along to a pretty tight set that included that Fools Gold song, however the reception was as minimal as the enthusiasm from the members on stage. Ian Brown looked like he really couldn’t be bothered.
The headache of the largest stage’s headliner being sick made getting a glimpse of The Prodigy almost impossible as the headline set in the arena became a ghost town and all converged on the Warrior’s Dance Arena. Things got so bad at one point that security and police had to close the entrance, leading to many fence jumpers and a near riot!
When the late arriving Prodigy finally started, The Warrior’s Dance Arena became a blood bath, literally, with the injured staggering from under the big top. People who wanna punch on at festivals should be banned for life. This set the vibe for most of the day; constantly look over your shoulder.
Their were some good songs rinsed out by Keith Flint and the boys, Omen, Poison and Everybody In The Place, but nothing could save the day from being written off as a failure, compared to the last 2 brilliant instalments of Future Music, this year was a major let down. Let’s hope they get it back together next year.
Rudimental brought the love early with the crowd singing along to the commercial DnB instant classics Feel The Love and Not Giving In. Meanwhile, on the Mariachi stage, Fun. were launching into their equally catchy hits We Are Young and Some Nights - though disappointing they were with their somewhat One Direction- like stage presence. Pitiful.
A-Trak had some tasty beats cranking to an up for it crowd but as far as the electronic side of things went he was the only highlight of the day. Sure, Steve Aoki had a decent sound coming out of the main stage, but if you think back to last year when Skrillex had a heaving crowd at the main arena at the same time of day going nuts for it, this year was a total ho-hum affair.
Back on the Mariachi stage, The Temper Trap took the prize for set of the day. Real music, played by real musicians. The haunting voice of Dougy Mandagi was just what the doctor ordered, as Trembling hands, Science Of Fear and Sweet Disposition brought a little tenderness to the gurned up shirtless ‘roiders chewing their foreheads off in all corners of Arena Joondalup.
In the Green Room tent, locals Black And Blunt, Get More and Ekko and Sidetrack delivered the party vibes for the good dance music faithful, however the same can’t be said for EDM abomination Borgore whose sloppy brand of dubstep should only be heard by Death Row prisoners so they're a little excited to sit in the chair.
The inclusion of old school alternative legends The Stone Roses brought a huge British contingent to the festival to sing along to a pretty tight set that included that Fools Gold song, however the reception was as minimal as the enthusiasm from the members on stage. Ian Brown looked like he really couldn’t be bothered.
The headache of the largest stage’s headliner being sick made getting a glimpse of The Prodigy almost impossible as the headline set in the arena became a ghost town and all converged on the Warrior’s Dance Arena. Things got so bad at one point that security and police had to close the entrance, leading to many fence jumpers and a near riot!
When the late arriving Prodigy finally started, The Warrior’s Dance Arena became a blood bath, literally, with the injured staggering from under the big top. People who wanna punch on at festivals should be banned for life. This set the vibe for most of the day; constantly look over your shoulder.
Their were some good songs rinsed out by Keith Flint and the boys, Omen, Poison and Everybody In The Place, but nothing could save the day from being written off as a failure, compared to the last 2 brilliant instalments of Future Music, this year was a major let down. Let’s hope they get it back together next year.