Splendour in the Grass - day one
- Aug 06, 2008
Day one of Splendor! I wake up with only a minor hangover - a miracle considering Nat and I probably kept Smirnoff and Bacardi in business single-handedly last night at the Great Northern. In need of a greasy breakfast and a beverage with fruit, we head to a little cafe in Byron and eat and drink our way to good health. We catch the shuttle to Splendour and are slightly alarmed when we hear that someone has been lining up for their wristband for about an hour. We so should have got those the night before... But when we get there, yes the line is long but it moves quickly. 10 minutes later we're inside getting our drink tickets, then getting drinks, then our stubby coolers. Now time for the music!
First up we check out Art Vs Science, winners of JJJ's Unearthed Splendour competition. And what an awesome start to the festival they are. The crowd is pretty big for a first act, and AVS don't disappoint - in fact, they are impressive. Great energy, their sound is a mix of rock and dirty (almost French) electro. It's also a chance to check out the fashions on the field, with some very interesting choices. And some pretty disturbing ones too. AVS manage to get many of the punters to take their shoes off and wave them in the air while massive blow-up penguins launch into the crowd. These guys have a big future (AVS, not the penguins).
Next up, we check out The Galvatrons. I immediately notice all the teens, and start to think maybe this gig won't be for me. And I am right... it's pretty boring actually. I think they think they're a bit like The Darkness, with all the glam-rocker stuff going on, but in the end it's just a bit... ordinary. With some spare time on our hands we check out the markets and merch, then pay a visit to our mates at the campsite. A few more drinks and smokes then it's back to catch Hadouken! at the Mix-up tent. A few of the post-Splendour reviews around listed Hadouken! as a highlight, and I don't disagree - they are awesome fun, a group who really knows how to build up a song (and the crowd) into a frenzy then just unleash! They do a great cover of The Prodigy's Breathe, the visuals alongside the stage are of Tetris and Streetfighter etc, and each song has us jumping. Great performance, and it will be great to see them again.
I've seen Gyroscope a few times, but every time I see them they blow me away. IMHO they are one of the best groups to come out of Australia, and live they are so impressive. The definite highlight of their set (and until day 2, the festival), is when they break into Beds Are Burning during Fast Girl. It sends shivers up my spine, and every single person in that tent screams every word - and it feels like they mean every word, too. They then go straight into Snakeskin, just perfect. Gyroscope are awesome and if they don't break internationally then there's something wrong with the world rock music scene.
I was very excited to see MSTRKRFT, but apart from the dude climbing the tent pole and their mix of The Presets' My People, their set is kind of boring. Maybe I've been very spoilt over the past couple of years, having seen Daft Punk, Justice, Jamez Zabiela, Bass Kleph, Aston Shuffle and so many other DJs and acts... or maybe I'm not easily pleased! I don't know. But it just isn't fresh or new and I am slightly disappointed.
Continue the disappointment with Cold War Kids, who I thought were just depressing and emo. Again, just my opinion! PNAU are excellent but by this time I am a bit sick of the crowds and all the drunk, munted punters who can't follow 'festival dance etiquette' (which is, when it's fricking packed to the rafters DON'T dance with arms flailing, elbows in faces, jumping up and down with your group of silly friends). I move right over to the side, then sing Embrace like my life depends on it.
I meet up with Nat at the end of The Living End's set. They still know how to rock, and are still the best live Aussie rock band you'll ever see. I'm not a huge fan of their last two albums, but I still love them. During this, we get talking to some dude who had lost his friends and is confused about set times. He hasn't realised he's missed The Music, Hadouken!, Cold War Kids. He didn't know what stage he was at, didn't know what stage he was going to... it was a long, confusing conversation! (I saw him at New Young Pony Club on day two, so obviously it all ended ok).
'Are we not men?' 'We are Devo!' To see such legends at Splendour is a massive privilege, and one we were not going to miss out on. Their performance is like musical theatre, complete with dramatic introduction showcasing their clips over the years - providing memories for the folks who remember them, and an overview for the young kiddies who don't know much about them. I remember seeing them in their weird hats when I was a kid - I was slightly scared but also fascinated... Anyway. I love an act that has a dramatic element and is a bit out-there, and Devo are certainly that. Most people get right into it, singing and dancing their way through all the hits. I know this is so boring but Whip It is still my fave! Lots of older people in the crowd too, which is great to see. Booji Boy is a bit freaky, the suits are great, and the hats are awesome (kindly thrown out to the crowd to tear themselves apart to grab). So, the end of day one... we went home tired and very happy. Get ready for day two!
For more Splendour In The Grass photos, check out Bradii's Flickr photostream
