Music Blogs

I almost cried. My fault admittedly, but two public transport attempts and a long-winded parking expedition later... led to me missing all but the last three songs of the BLACK KIDS set. Believe me, I'm still not over the trauma.

Now, let's just get this straight. Everyone has (is technically supposed to prefer) THAT band on the Big Day Out line-up. Black Kids were supposed to be that band for me. They played, they sung, they danced. But sadly the early timetable programming meant that there wasn't a whole lot of people mutually appreciating. Yes, no-one really knows who you are. But no, that doesn't mean you shouldn't give it your all. My own personal I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You sing-a-long, compensated slightly for their otherwise static stage movements.

I have two early complaints. Firstly, The Black Kids need keytars. I'm looking at you, Ali Youngblood and Dawn Watley. Secondly, it was a mistake to schedule the Black Kids onto a main stage that felt far too big for them, when the Australians have it right programming them onto the Converse Essential Stage. I'm certain that the crazed crowds fighting for a glimpse of The Tings Tings will agree that they should have been a main stage band instead.

Far off in the (normally would not have seemed so far) distance, there was a blonde on-stage. Between the heads of (normally would not have seemed so abnormally) tall people in front, I could once in a while see a male drummer. All around, there was surround sound noise. To my left, were touchy-feely back-packers. To my right, were girls taking Katy Perry's I Kissed A Girl single, literally. Apparently, THE TING TINGS were responsible for all the chaos.

I still feel like I ought to like them more than I actually do... but TV ON THE RADIO were two parts fun, to every one part experimentally inspiring. Tunde Adebimpe quite literally, got his groove on. Hence, the fun part.

I'd already installed high expectations on MY MORNING JACKET while battling the dinner crowd on the trek from the Orange and Blue stages, to the Green and Converse Essential stages. Kudos for the long hair but it also felt like the band just didn't care. So, back to the main stadium to wait for The Arctic Monkeys. Just when I'd given up on My Morning Jacket, I could hear something that finally sounded like a song as I retreated.

I am rather ashamed that exhaustion won out, over braving more bustling criss-crossing crowds to see THE MINT CHICKS. I did however, continuously sight their drummer Paul Roper, at the centre of photo and signature requests. Boys, you need over-sized glasses and to stretch yourself out to lanky proportions to pick up girls at the Big Day Out.

While waiting for my other 'that' band, I semi-napped to SERJ TANKIAN and THE LIVING END. Oh Serj, he really likes to dance. Complete with a brief hat-dance, I was left absolutely swayed that Tankian was a ringmaster-ish leader for political protestations, akin to a dark religious experience. An hour later, I approved both bands as appropriate stadium entertainers.

I have decided that I MUST marry a boy from Sheffield. Dear 'Arctic Monkeys, will you marry me? THE ARCTIC MONKEYS came... and conquered. Obviously, singles such as I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor and Fluorescent Adolescent were the crowd favourites. But why, oh why! Did the 'Monkeys not play Mardy Bum? Heart-broken indeed and serves me right for not saving money for a side-show ticket.

Oh my. Best surprise ever! HOT CHIP, know how to bring it. While I may have never imagined that 'it' would ever involve five awfully dressed, nearly-middle-aged men... 'it' was all things spectacular, punctuated with strobe lighting. Just for the record, I now own an owl t-shirt and this makes me very happy. Thank you Hot Chip. Side note, was highly impressed with the addition of extra viewing screens to the Boiler Room which ensured everybody could experience equal amounts of fun.

Snore. You can hate me for this all you like but I don't tend to listen to any music made before I was born (except for The Beatles, duh) and old people on-stage entertain very little interest for my short attention span. I tried NEIL YOUNG. I really did try. But with the advancing cold night air and not much to look at really, I decided to quit while I was ahead. Arctic Monkeys lead vocalist Alex Turner, had instructed his following to check out The Prodigy... but my ride was leaving and work the next day at 10AM is never appreciative of a late night.

All in all, unexpectedly... Hot Chip turned out to be 'that' band and I'm awfully sorry I have never made it to see them on their previous visits. Another Big Day Out down, bring on 2010 / I want Vampire Weekend next year...