This is the longest time that I haven’t blogged for all summer, I believe. And this year’s Big Day Out is the first time I’ve been to where it got absolutely rained out. Remember how I mentioned in my last post that I was going to see The Black Keys? Well I bought my ticket a couple of days later, and then a couple of days following that, The Black Keys canceled.
Don’t get me started on how angry/distraught/disappointed I was. I felt thoroughly ripped off, because they were a large contributing factor to me forking out $158, since I wasn’t photographing the festival this year. How is stating “exhaustion” any reason to let your fans down? Whilst I feel sorry for them on one hand, I think it was really shitty of them to pull out literally days before the festival. Surely if they’re that tired, they would have been feeling that way for quite a while now? I think the one good thing that came out of them pulling out was the fact that then I didn’t have a huge dilemma as to how I was going to make it from the front of one stage to the other in record time. There were so many clashes that I didn’t end up seeing Crystal Castles, but that was okay by me.
I ended up going the bogan route, back to my roots. Seeing Steriogram bright and early brought back memories of the last time that I saw them live, which was at around age 14 or 15. Aside from the slight detour to Bang Bang Eche and Ratatat, the rest of the lineup that I saw was was pretty streamlined: Deftones, Wolfmother, Shihad, Rammstein and Grinderman. Had to stand through the sets of Airbourne (crazy frontman stunt with climbing, climbing, climbing…), Lupe Fiasco (sound failure x3? Lost count), John Butler Trio and Iggy & The Stooges, which were all on the stage next to the one where I was situated nicely in the 2nd row.
I’m too lazy to recount everything, but here are some high and lowlights:
– Ratatat opened with my favourite song, “Loud Pipes”
– Later on in their set, I yelled out “PLAY DRUUUUUUGS!” – which caused a few raised eyebrows around me, because I swear most of the people around here don’t really know who they are/aren’t that into them – and they played it, fuckyeah. I’d say it was more of a psychic thing (likened to when I called out “BRIANSTORM!” at Arctic Monkeys and they played it), rather than the fact that they heard me, haha.
– Rammstein’s pyrotechnics was AMAZING. Being in the 2nd row, I could feel the heat heat heat. I’ve never seen such a perfectly-timed display before. The only, only thing that was mismatched was the final drum cymbal crash with the last set of ka-BANG!s – and he looked thoroughly disappointed with himself about it, too.
– Did I mention Rammstein’s costume’s were fucking ace as well? Seriously. Google up some pictures, people.
– There must be something in the air at BDO annually, because it’s probably the one day of the year where I get hit on enough to last a life time. My friend Dale asked if I ever got sick of it, ha. There are the nice guys who try to make conversation whilst we all wait between sets, and then there are the dickheads.
– Dickhead story: [“you keen for a root?” me: “sorry, what? I can’t hear you” dickhead: *repeats it louder*] x4. Then when he finally gave up and turned around, I flipped him the finger, much to the amusement of everyone around. Seriously, people! Grow a brain or at least fake some class!
– My Canon IXUS camera got broken when my friend dropped it. I feel bad for her. Very bad. So I didn’t really snap any photos. Not that I was going to bother too much, really. But there were a couple of things that I would’ve liked a shot of, from the perspective of a normal punter behind the barrier. Y’know, as a normal person.
Next Monday: LANEWAY FESTIVAL! Just you wait, there will be photos, photos and MORE PHOTOS of bands such as Warpaint, Blonde Redhead, !!!, Foals, Holy Fuck, etc. For now, I desperately need to tidy my room, tend to this sore throat of mine, and get some work done.
Glad you had fun (well, for the most part).
Yeah, there’s really 2 ways to go about talking to a girl and the other NEVER works. EVER. I don’t know why some guys even try… It’s just uncomfortable and potentially embarrassing for everyone involved.
And yeah, Black Keys cancelling is such bull crap. I mean, I still love them but ugh! I’m frustrated for you =/
I was SO pissed about the Black Keys. (Thankfully i only paid $120 for mine.) And missing out on getting into the the D barrier (actually, I reckon if we’d stayed in the line we would eventually have gotten in, but the guys got impatient. I would have been happy to wait in the rain…)
Hahah I can’t believe you got hit on. I’ve never been to a busy show… but I can imagine I would get squished and trampled. I’d have to take all my guy friends with me, considering I like metal music too…
I’m sorry about the Black Keys. Sigh. Literally days – they could have mentioned it at least a week beforehand! I hope there’ll be another opportunity and you’ll forgive them.
Who knows, maybe they heard you and you’re not psychic – though either way it would be cool. ;D
I’m sorry about your camera, hope it can be fixed!
Well, there are usually quite a number of reasons to cancel a show. It might not be the band’s fault, but it must have been disappointing nevertheless.
Getting hit on can be pretty frightening sometimes, depending on the guy. I definitely wouldn’t think that the festival would be a prime place for hitting on people. Definitely not. Isn’t the festival there so people can enjoy hanging out with their friends seeing cool things?
I must say that I have never seen anything quite like the pictures you put up. Two stages next to each other in an open field? Wouldn’t the bands interfere with one another?
I do weights at home and sometimes use the tone machines at the gym. However those machines are always packed when I go and I don’t have much time to wait around at home. Luckily I got dumbbells at home that I can use to tone my arms.
That’s such a shame that you bought a ticket to see them and they dropped out the last minute. At least you saw others and had a good time ^^
It sounds like a lot of fun and makes me miss concert festivals! I haven’t been to one in ages! (Also, your music taste is totally the same as the last boy du jour and it made me giggle every time you liked something he would like.)
Sounds like you had a blast despite the rain and black keys pulling out. I love music festivals there so much fun!!
Looked like you had a good time!! Although that’s a shame about your camera :( will you get a new one? xx
Exhaustion is an awful excuse to cancel a gig, yes I know these people work hard and are constantly on the go. But they should know how many shows they can manage and stick to that number rather than getting their fans hopes up and disappointing them.
The last time I went to see live music was last summer, in June/July. It was a festival held by a local radio station.
THEY PULLED OUT?? oh god, that’s awful :( i’m so glad you enjoyed yourself regardless (: xo
Oh that must be so disappointing! Glad you had some fun though!
XXASAB
http://angelaseeangelablog.wordpress.com/designs-oufits-and-some-new-stuff/
Festivals are just so much fun! ..unless it rains all the time. But even then you can try and make it fun =) Mud fight!..ahem.
Yay for Rammstein.
I hate it when bands cancel last minute, last year I was meant to see La Roux and they rescheduled TWICE before eventually cancelling, not cool.
Glad you had a good time regardless though.