:: Big Day Out 2006

By: Mark Rasmussen / Louise Preece / Renee Stekel

BIG DAY OUT WRAP!
By Mark Rasmussen

With the sun barely two hours in the sky, I knew it was going to be a hot one! And why wouldn't it be, it was the day of The Big Day Out after all. After waiting for my friend Bree to rock up to my joint, we set off for twelve hours of music mayhem. Walking alongside the picturesque Princes Park, our buoyant mood was soon about to change when we noticed the long line of revellers simply attempting to get in. Thankfully this was one line which moved remarkably quickly. With no sniffer dogs in sight and after the usual lazy bag check, we were inside!

With the layout of this year's Melbourne show stretched along a fairly straight line, the first stage/tent we came across was the Boiler Room. Surprisingly it provided plenty of relief from a sun that was really beginning to heat up. Once inside we were greeted by the electro rock stylings of The Presets. Their show pretty much set up the rest of the afternoon for us. Their music was the perfect blend of funky, upbeat tracks that really got the body grooving along. These two Aussie maestros set the benchmark for the day.

After their set finished we strolled through the park passing by the Local Produce stage - where British India must improve if it wants to be taken seriously - and into the main arena where Gerling was strutting its stuff albeit lazily. It was hard watching a band I love, perform so poorly. They sounded stale and ineffective when compared to The Presets. I found the messages being scrolled along the top of the giant Virgin TV screen more interesting. There was everything from people confessing their love to a marriage proposal to mates taking the piss out of their friends saying such and such wanted to meet any gay man over by the Lilypad. They were hilarious and made the corporate part of this festival almost bearable.
And, as a side note, Sony you don't fool us with your guerilla marketing campaign by strategically giving oversized, blow-up novelty phones to members of the public. From where I stood, most people were trying to puncture your product!

With Gerling not doing it for us, we moved over to the Essential stage (which was jam packed), where British act The Subways played a great set. It was easy to see why they were so popular. Their singer even took it upon himself to get the crowd even more fired up by jumping into them to crowd surf. Fantastic! After they finished we then went over to check out The Vandas, who played good, honest rock and even had Xavier Rudd (or someone who looked remarkably like him) dancing along.

From there we decided to keep the flag flying and again came across a very full tent as Sarah Blasko was in full flight. Her beautiful voice carried out over the crowd and fell into our laps as we soaked up the sun's rays. After being serenaded, it was time to camp things up a bit and what better way than to boogie on down at the Silent Disco. To those walking past it offered no end of amusement as well as thoughts of, “What tha?” The best thing (besides the great music being pumped into our headphones), as Bree and I shook our arses around the renovated Dodgem Car dancefloor, was that it was free! Congrats to the organisers for doing so.

Walking back along what would be a well worn trail, we heard the sounds of Magic Dirt who were doing their best in front of a medium sized audience, but we were on our way to see Caged Baby. He was trying hard to work the crowd but all his efforts seemed to fall on deaf ears. Back we went to the Essential stage to witness yet another capacity crowd who this time were dancing up a storm to the sounds of Cut Copy. They were well received and I'm glad we made the effort to see them.

For all the theatrics of Mudvayne, from where I stood, it was just one big laughfest with wannabe metallers and “hardcore” posers doing their best to get into the mosh pit, which these days means you have to line up! I realise the safety concerns but seriously, what's happened to music? Back in my day (which wasn't that long ago), if you wanted to mosh, all you had to do was squeeze past those who didn't, slam around a bit and generally have fun. Nobody got hurt and by the time the gig was over, not only were you 10 kilos lighter but you were arm in arm with strangers belting out songs.

Thank god for Wolfmother who restored my faith. Playing to a near capacity crowd, the whole park resembled one big mosh pit! Because I‘d seen them a few times we decided to take in TZU who were also playing in front of a fullish crowd. Their upbeat, almost pop-rock songs were lively and got everyone jumping (myself included), and as was the case for their last song 'She Gets Up’ even dancing low to the ground. They were great!

The Hilltop Hoods certainly had their work cut out after a devastating Wolfmother performance but boy didn't they work that to their advantage. Beginning their set by mashing up some old school rock, with everything from AC/DC (which the crowd went nuts for) to Led Zeppelin, The Hilltop Hoods not only matched the Sydney psychedelic rockers but in some ways surpassed them. I'm sure they won plenty over by approaching it this way. Well done guys!

With the temperature at its hottest, the only thing more popular than the music were the water tanks which provided ample relief. Shade was also a good option and what better way than the RRR stage to take in The Go! Team, who were their usual, fun selves. It was the perfect way to not only be sunsmart but take in a top act. One band I had been dying to see were the Kings Of Leon and they didn't let me down. They were just mind blowing and were easily my BDO highlight. They ripped through a blistering set and had the fervent crowd calling for more. Absolutely fantastic!

By this stage it was time to take a break, so as we sat by the Ferris wheel (a perfect meeting point as it turned out), we heard The Living End rip through all their hits and new songs. Now somewhat rested, it was over to the Boiler room, which was just beginning to heat up. Catching the back end of DJ James Murphy who had pumped up the crowd, the tent really filled up by the time M.I.A took to the stage. Leading by example, her fans could not get enough and it was a hard decision to leave but Franz Ferdinand was about to take the main stage. As they tore into their set, it soon became obvious I made the right decision. They were hugely popular and I reckon I saw more people singing along to their songs than any other act.

By the time Iggy Pop & The Stooges took to the stage, the crowd was well hyped. He blasted his way through a set that was not only Iggy at his erratic, wild best, but also contained many extras thanks to his invitation to a very responsive front few rows. And boy didn't one of his roadies have his work cut out trying to protect not only Iggy but the equipment.

As the afternoon gave way to evening, I thought it might be good to check out The Mars Volta. How wrong I was. I know a lot of people like them, but I found it to be pretentious, too serious and boring. Reform At The Drive-In I say! Thankfully COG took control in that tent and were very impressive. It's no wonder they're this country's finest independent band.

By the time Jack and Meg of The White Stripes strode out, there were plenty of people there to see them. And while they satisfied most, including those who had clambered onto the speaker stacks to get a better view, I was left thinking they were average. When you're on a bill with the likes of Franz Ferdinand, Wolfmother, Kings Of Leon and Iggy Pop, you better bring your A game! Unfortunately they didn't, even taking a mini-break half way through their relatively short set. What was up with that? Regardless, we pressed on and tried to squeeze into the Boiler Room (which really was), as just about the whole crowd had converged to see 2 Many DJ's, who not only sparkled under some trippy lights and effects but mixed up some incredible stuff along the way. They were a perfect way to finish up what had been a fun, hot but ultimately great Big Day Out.

The move to Princess Park was a raging success. It was easy to walk to, picturesque and it was very easy to take in a heap of acts over a short, unobstructed space with no bottle-necks whatsoever. Everyone I ran into absolutely loved it and felt it far superior to the dust bowl that is the Showgrounds! So in a plea to Lees & West, please can you keep it here. And in a further message, thanks to those who grooved along with me during the course of the day. Bree, Cathy, Robbo, Lisa, Mel etc, you all helped make the day even better!

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The Big Day Out - Melbourne 2006
By Louise Preece

The Big Day Out 2006 lived up to it name this year pulling in a whopping 38,000 music lovers and party animals alike to its new host venue of Princes Park in Carlton. The sweltering muggy weather didn’t discourage fans from attending the popular one-day festival. Coloured zinc, naked chests, micro shorts and Mohawks swarmed the new location, all anticipating the colossal line-up of music acts for the day.

Young Warrnambool group Airbourne were the first to christen the main stages and set the tone for what was to come. The hardcore rockers lured the crowd in with their chants of ‘Melbourne Rock’ and rock they did.

Faker was the next headline act up to take the main blue stage and with their tight jeans and their laid-back yet slightly intense punk/rock style they showed fans exactly why they were there.

Over on the RRR and Converse Stage, punters escaped from the blistering rays of the sun into the shade with the calm melodic voice of Sarah Blasko and the funky beats of The Subways, The Grates, End of Fashion and Cut Copy.

Amongst the swaying movement of gigantic beach balls, the crowd stopped and slowed down the pace for an hour to listen to the crazy antics of Henry Rollins and his brushes with The Ramones and Iggy Pop.

Wolfmother was a crowd favorite in the late afternoon. The latest Australian band to blitz Triple J’s Hottest 100 Chart played up to the fans expectations despite the heat. Hilltop Hoods was a top choice as well and hip-hop devotees took the now sweaty mosh-pit to a different level as they bounced to the bands original sound.

On the Local Produce Stage the atmosphere was chilled but still high on pheromones as up-and-coming Aussie band Youth Group performed their cover of ‘Forever Young’.

‘Lily-world’, although situated a fair walking distance from the beats of the headline acts, was still rife with music talent, although somewhat left-of-centre. The island paradise based stage was the focus for world/indigenous music. Bum-head Orchestra may have drew a crowd because of their name, but conductor Tex Perkins (Beasts of Bourbon) took ‘The Baby Elephant Walk’ and his crazy horn group to new unpredictable heights.

For the dance lovers and disco conscious there was the ‘silent disco’ which bopped all day and all night long. With headphones, enthusiasts could choose what song they preferred to tune in to and groove along to their hearts delight. Others chose to brave the carnival rides or cool down in the mist of the ‘V Energy Drink’ mister. There was plenty to hydrate on as drink bottles were handed out and refilling stations easy to access. The food choice was no easy one either with the option of souvlakis, vegan noodles and even roo and camel burgers to chew on. No punter could go hungry.

Detroit rockers The White Stripes was the major headline act for the day and although they got the crowd moving they just couldn’t live up to the electric stage presence of legend and icon Iggy Pop and his band The Stooges. “You young teenage boys down there look like you need some punishing,” Iggy proposed to the front line of the mosh-pit.

An amazed crowd moshed, danced and grooved along to his hits as a bare-chested Iggy pranced and strutted around the stage with perhaps the lowest jeans that any music icon has dared to wear. Panicked security fought off young male fans as the music legend let them up on the stage to rock with him. The first Big Day Out graced his presence and years on he is still rocking the stage effortlessly. He was definitely a hard act to follow and the favorite for the day.

Thanks to the astonishing line-up of musical acts and the unforgettable stage presence of Iggy pop, a rather exhausted, but content, crowd left Princes Park on Sunday with remarkable memories of The Big Day Out 2006 and sunglass marks etched across their face if they forgot to apply sunscreen.

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Big Day Out - Melbourne
by Renee Stekel

Fittingly for a day of blazing hot live rock bands, its was a day of blazing hot sun and humidity at this year’s Melbourne Big Day Out Festival. Princes Park and its 40,000 guests for the day braved the heat and certainly did little to disappoint strutting the latest in rock fashion, flaunting their mosh pit talents and of course proudly supporting their passion for the music, rocking all day and night with some of the best local and international hot young bands on the present scene. A patriotic, chanting crowd without doubt did our fair city justice, proving to rivals Sydney and the Gold Coast that we are indeed the music capital.

The diverse mix of fashion on the day also did well to dispel long standing rivalries boasting Sydney as the Fashion capital. Bright young things wearing t-shirts emblazoned with ‘I Love Melbourne’ most certainly helped the cause. Everything from the much beloved rock chick look of ripped jeans and printed punk t-shirts to the new boho babe style of flirty summer dresses, thick brown belts with pre worn cowboy boots kicked up a storm in the normally tranquil parkland. The guys, as has recently become custom, lived up to the female standards, perhaps even surpassing, with skinny leg ‘London rocker’ jeans, studded belts, printed t-shirts and converse one stars stamping a beat to the thumping sounds. A favourite between both parties was certainly the ‘mailboy’ hat claiming the title from last years ‘trucker’ style cap.

Stand out hits of the day were newly credited Sydney band, Wolfmother. Andrew Stockdale with his iconic ‘fro’ had the main stage wrapped around his little finger and did well to whip the thronging masses into a rock frenzy with all of their favourites. UK band The Magic Numbers was a charming addition to the line up; their clear, gentle melodies and funky up beat tunes a welcome addition for when the main stages were a tad too much. The highly anticipated Franz Ferdinand, although playing all the ‘classics’, didn’t seem to possess the drive and energy that our local young bands like End of Fashion and The Living End brought with them on the day.

The White Stripes, possibly to many patrons THE headline band unfortunately did not overawe the patrons, however Iggy Pop and his Stooges made up for their shortcomings, rocking the crowd and tearing up the moshpit under a balmy summer night sky. Cut Copy impressed many with its earlier day set, whilst sweltering heat beat down on the punters outside; inside the shade of the converse tent was a welcome relief not just for the temperature but the electro-rock tunes blaring underneath. To finish a perfect summer's day at the Big Day Out 2MANYDJS rocked the decks in the Boiler Room, and boil it undoubtedly did, with steam from the masses of patrons spilling out of the tent shuffling their feet, hands pumping the air to masterful mixes of electro-funk sounds like Madonna, Prince, Mylo and all the dance favourites.

Overall the Big Day Out was most certainly that! It had something for all the punters, whether it be to strut your stuff on the Fashion Catwalk, team with sweat in the mosh pit, try your hand at crowd surfing, relax with a drink or two in the grassy bar areas, or simply wonder from stage to stage enjoying the best rock music has to offer this summer. As those poignant t-shirts read on the day, we certainly do ‘Love Melbourne’.