Future Music Festival - Perth, 4th March 2012
Words: Todd Lockley
The Future Music Festival has come along leaps and bounds over the years. The shift to Arena Joondalup was questionable at first but the set up each year has continued to improve. This year it was amazing; better organisation meant movement was free flowing, allowing sun loving, scantily clad 20 somethings to soak it up with the previous generation, those who were around when New Order were actually “Future Music”. Fortunately, Jessie J pulled out due to illness and it was hot, hot, hot but apart from these small speed bumps Future Music Festival 2012 blasted off without a hitch.
Early highlights on the day included locals Jason Creek, Brown Horn Orchestra and Ekko and Sidetrack busting out and getting feet moving. The sounds these acts are producing nowadays really are the future of three separate genres. Go Perth! On the mainstage, Chase And Status, armed with guitar and drums instead of the usual set of Technics, smashed out songs from their latest release No More Idols including Fool Yourself, Fire In Your Eyes and the beautiful Liam Bailey lead Blind Faith. Unfortunately, those at the back were slightly distracted by a bare-knuckle battle that went on for most of the 2nd part of the set. Now, now boys.
New Zealand darlings The Naked And Famous brought the good vibes to Future with Alisa Xayalith leading the crowd through the "yeah, yeah, yeah, yeahs" in Young Blood, while over on the mainstage, sides shaved, four-time Grammy boy wonder Sonny Moore aka Skrillex was dishing out the bass heavy, transformer sex sounds he's built a name on. First Of The Year and the infectious Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites had the kids wobbling. Perhaps a little too hard at stage, as Skrillex took to the mic and made an impassioned plea "to stop pushing!” Dude, have you heard what you’re playing?
The absolute fucking madness that is Die Antwoord took over the big top stage, with Ninja busting through Fok Julle Naaiers and the chimpmunk vocals of Yo-Landi Vi$$er shinning through on I Think U Freeky, which sounded more like stinky through their broad Cape Town accents. These guys brought an amazing energy and a ‘don’t look away’ stage presence, however one could question Vi$$er’s credibility; how can someone keep that vocal pitch without miming or helium? It's amazing.
Early highlights on the day included locals Jason Creek, Brown Horn Orchestra and Ekko and Sidetrack busting out and getting feet moving. The sounds these acts are producing nowadays really are the future of three separate genres. Go Perth! On the mainstage, Chase And Status, armed with guitar and drums instead of the usual set of Technics, smashed out songs from their latest release No More Idols including Fool Yourself, Fire In Your Eyes and the beautiful Liam Bailey lead Blind Faith. Unfortunately, those at the back were slightly distracted by a bare-knuckle battle that went on for most of the 2nd part of the set. Now, now boys.
New Zealand darlings The Naked And Famous brought the good vibes to Future with Alisa Xayalith leading the crowd through the "yeah, yeah, yeah, yeahs" in Young Blood, while over on the mainstage, sides shaved, four-time Grammy boy wonder Sonny Moore aka Skrillex was dishing out the bass heavy, transformer sex sounds he's built a name on. First Of The Year and the infectious Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites had the kids wobbling. Perhaps a little too hard at stage, as Skrillex took to the mic and made an impassioned plea "to stop pushing!” Dude, have you heard what you’re playing?
The absolute fucking madness that is Die Antwoord took over the big top stage, with Ninja busting through Fok Julle Naaiers and the chimpmunk vocals of Yo-Landi Vi$$er shinning through on I Think U Freeky, which sounded more like stinky through their broad Cape Town accents. These guys brought an amazing energy and a ‘don’t look away’ stage presence, however one could question Vi$$er’s credibility; how can someone keep that vocal pitch without miming or helium? It's amazing.
Fatboy Slim put on the same show he has been doing for the last 20 years, full of energy and hits that included The Rockafeller Skank and the jazzy Weapon Of Choice. But it was The Wombats that took the festival titles Future and Music and ran with it, leading off with Our Perfect Disease. They sounded awesome and brought a quick fire collection of the hits that have been in people’s heads these past two years, with Jump Into The Fog and 1996 coming in quick succession. Vocalist/guitarist Matthew Murphy never dropped a beat through the days highlight set, as they finished with the ultimate two-punch combo, Tokyo (Vampires and Werewolves) and the perfect intro for the following act Lets Dance To Joy Division.
New Order,the band formed out of the ashes of Joy Division back in 1980 (not very future), came out and played a melancholy set of hits that the so-called headliners, Swedish House Mafia, could never achieve. Opening with Crystal from 2001’s Get Ready album, it wasn’t until track four, Bizarre Love Triangle, that the youngens figured out who they were seeing. The band closed out their set with the epic Blue Monday, Temptaiton and live staple, Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart. At the same time, another 80's dance legend, Aphex Twin, had all the synths and technicolour lasers of an old school 90's warehouse rave. Bliss.
All and all, Future Music Festival has easily surpassed all the other festivals when it comes to diversity, general set up and accessibility. It was a joyous day and well worth the voyage to Joondalup.
New Order,the band formed out of the ashes of Joy Division back in 1980 (not very future), came out and played a melancholy set of hits that the so-called headliners, Swedish House Mafia, could never achieve. Opening with Crystal from 2001’s Get Ready album, it wasn’t until track four, Bizarre Love Triangle, that the youngens figured out who they were seeing. The band closed out their set with the epic Blue Monday, Temptaiton and live staple, Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart. At the same time, another 80's dance legend, Aphex Twin, had all the synths and technicolour lasers of an old school 90's warehouse rave. Bliss.
All and all, Future Music Festival has easily surpassed all the other festivals when it comes to diversity, general set up and accessibility. It was a joyous day and well worth the voyage to Joondalup.