Two days of festival hype, loud music and piles of people has drained me of plenty of energy for the closing day. But with plenty of great acts to come, let's forge on.
The lack of energy is evident in the unwitting choice of laid back bands to take on which ends up working in my favour, but all credit must go to Broken Social Scene for getting me back in the mood which would have not set me up for some wilderness dancing to Bagraiders or unparalleled amounts of fun with siren songstress Goldfrapp.
Farewell to you, epic festival. It is sad but inevitable, and as I leave the site and reflect, all up it was everything I could have asked for.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Empire of the Sun, 10.45PM Sun
There is no need to expect anything less than what Empire of the Sun will produce visually because whatever you can imagine will be matched and bettered.
Luke Steele lacks no fashion sense when it comes to his futuristic soldier outfit and prominent headdress. The stage dancers would also shine in the dark with their loud sparkly numbers. Its what can only be created within the heads of EOTS that is projected on the screen behind a large elevated performance platform and mixing desk surrounded by vertical lights.
Standing on the Shore, We are the People and a title that escapes me brings the happy crowd into their world and sounds nothing but solid. It also showcases some quick and impressive dancer costume changes.
What sound like many studio produced non album appearing tracks soon turn the display into an interactive DJ set that uses Luke's live vocals as the accent. The clever use of alternate microphones to alter his voice, a well structured feature.
Electronic ballad Without You brings the focus back onto the live element and loud cheers from moshing patrons reaffirms the support that this outfit has. Now focusing more on instrumental highlights a real cosmical feel is exuded before a short encore break.
This break works as a stroke of genius at re-igniting the crowd for a splendid display of more costume changes and stellar finale, Walking On A Dream.
Being the consummate professionals the only fitting farewell was a hand in hand linked bow.
Electronic pop fun at its full power!
Luke Steele lacks no fashion sense when it comes to his futuristic soldier outfit and prominent headdress. The stage dancers would also shine in the dark with their loud sparkly numbers. Its what can only be created within the heads of EOTS that is projected on the screen behind a large elevated performance platform and mixing desk surrounded by vertical lights.
Standing on the Shore, We are the People and a title that escapes me brings the happy crowd into their world and sounds nothing but solid. It also showcases some quick and impressive dancer costume changes.
What sound like many studio produced non album appearing tracks soon turn the display into an interactive DJ set that uses Luke's live vocals as the accent. The clever use of alternate microphones to alter his voice, a well structured feature.
Electronic ballad Without You brings the focus back onto the live element and loud cheers from moshing patrons reaffirms the support that this outfit has. Now focusing more on instrumental highlights a real cosmical feel is exuded before a short encore break.
This break works as a stroke of genius at re-igniting the crowd for a splendid display of more costume changes and stellar finale, Walking On A Dream.
Being the consummate professionals the only fitting farewell was a hand in hand linked bow.
Electronic pop fun at its full power!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Richard Ashcroft, 10.04PM Sun
Without question, the most extraordinary thing I have witnessed when it comes to anything to do with live gigs. In true English Rock 'n' Roll style, legend Ashcroft plays only his new release single Are You Ready to a medium sized crowd and storms off stage.
It what seemed to be an incident that may have been provoked by front of stage fans, Ashcroft picks up stage equipment including his tambourine and microphone and heaved them in various directions. What's seems to follow is verbal abuse towards patrons and an aggressive jump from stage towards the mosh, where from my line of sight of Richard is lost.
The song ran its length and casually band members scattered. None of whom will be seen again.
Roughly 15 minutes pass, all the while a restless crowd cheers encouragingly for the set to continue and scream abusively in aggravation of what will consequently result.
The announcement is made that Richard will not be returning due to voice issues. As if anyone in the tent will believe that.
It what seemed to be an incident that may have been provoked by front of stage fans, Ashcroft picks up stage equipment including his tambourine and microphone and heaved them in various directions. What's seems to follow is verbal abuse towards patrons and an aggressive jump from stage towards the mosh, where from my line of sight of Richard is lost.
The song ran its length and casually band members scattered. None of whom will be seen again.
Roughly 15 minutes pass, all the while a restless crowd cheers encouragingly for the set to continue and scream abusively in aggravation of what will consequently result.
The announcement is made that Richard will not be returning due to voice issues. As if anyone in the tent will believe that.
Goldfrapp, 9.05PM Sun
Welcome to Goldfrapp's world, look forward to discovering it.
A backdrop that replicates something from a sci-fi movie set and costumes that pretty much follow suit. Through an eye catching silver lame, Goldfrapp enters centre in a black shimmering poncho that replicates something of a crow with its wings spread wide.
The green back lighting and industrial fans giving a great windswept look contribute to stage presence that has not been seen all weekend. A mystical look that has influences of world magic and mystery.
With single spotlight burning brightly upon this drawing figure, a great performance of Number 1 complimented by visuals that make me feel 'oh so glad' to be experiencing this event, no other stage performance has come close.
Brand new release, Believer, keeps the energy moving and the crowds energy risers to match. The fresh tracks & synth sound continues in high intensity for Alive and the performance of Rocket works this crowd and me into an amazing frenzy. Her performance experience shows and shines, brand new songs never sounded this good.
One of my most loved sounds, the dirty synth gets a real workout in Don't Stop This Train and with an awesome backing lineup who do nothing else but providing a sound that you can't help but love and move to.
Ride on the Wild Horse is played and has beautiful polish of your favourite digital track with every piece of vocal flair you would ask for in a live show.
That vocal flair is unwavering throughout Strict Machine and is convincing me on the spot that this the best live electronic performance I have ever seen. Sorry Delphic! Empire of the Sun will have to bring their A+ game to follow that!
Makes me wish my camera battery hadn't died so I could film the performance of final song Oh La La, such a shame.
A backdrop that replicates something from a sci-fi movie set and costumes that pretty much follow suit. Through an eye catching silver lame, Goldfrapp enters centre in a black shimmering poncho that replicates something of a crow with its wings spread wide.
The green back lighting and industrial fans giving a great windswept look contribute to stage presence that has not been seen all weekend. A mystical look that has influences of world magic and mystery.
With single spotlight burning brightly upon this drawing figure, a great performance of Number 1 complimented by visuals that make me feel 'oh so glad' to be experiencing this event, no other stage performance has come close.
Brand new release, Believer, keeps the energy moving and the crowds energy risers to match. The fresh tracks & synth sound continues in high intensity for Alive and the performance of Rocket works this crowd and me into an amazing frenzy. Her performance experience shows and shines, brand new songs never sounded this good.
One of my most loved sounds, the dirty synth gets a real workout in Don't Stop This Train and with an awesome backing lineup who do nothing else but providing a sound that you can't help but love and move to.
Ride on the Wild Horse is played and has beautiful polish of your favourite digital track with every piece of vocal flair you would ask for in a live show.
That vocal flair is unwavering throughout Strict Machine and is convincing me on the spot that this the best live electronic performance I have ever seen. Sorry Delphic! Empire of the Sun will have to bring their A+ game to follow that!
Makes me wish my camera battery hadn't died so I could film the performance of final song Oh La La, such a shame.
Broken Social Scene, 7.14PM Sun
Don't know jack about these guys but want to know more. Great, ear pleasent, fun rock.
Whitley, 5.29PM Sun
The chilled out nature of the day led me to sit aside the McLennan stage on the populated adjoining hill. The laid back expectation of this set, I feel, calls for a bit of laid back absorption.
An eerily haunting blue light emanates from within the tent accompanied by equally ghostly sound that introduces popular new release Killer.
Poison in our Pocket follows some not uncommon crowd banter from main man Levi and all feels balanced. Some humorous Splendour banter continues before leading into a set highlight version of Save Your Soul.
By the time fourth song Bright White Lights begins, the crowd has begun to bulge out all sides of the open sided tent and Whitley's choice of calling it a day and Splendour their last festival, seems a poor one.
Whitley's fantastic ability to engage an audience is evident as he slows the tempo down to draw everyone's attention to mid set cover, Dancing Queen.
As he describes as he was born in his mothers mould, the temperature continues to drop and what was a beautiful sunny day has become a clear cool night sky where spotlights shine with power and are easily visible from rising dust whilst licking surrounding aged eucalyptus.
Conclusion to the set comes excellently together with Head First Down followed by final hurrah All I Could Have Been. Now well energised for an evening of farewell fun.
An eerily haunting blue light emanates from within the tent accompanied by equally ghostly sound that introduces popular new release Killer.
Poison in our Pocket follows some not uncommon crowd banter from main man Levi and all feels balanced. Some humorous Splendour banter continues before leading into a set highlight version of Save Your Soul.
By the time fourth song Bright White Lights begins, the crowd has begun to bulge out all sides of the open sided tent and Whitley's choice of calling it a day and Splendour their last festival, seems a poor one.
Whitley's fantastic ability to engage an audience is evident as he slows the tempo down to draw everyone's attention to mid set cover, Dancing Queen.
As he describes as he was born in his mothers mould, the temperature continues to drop and what was a beautiful sunny day has become a clear cool night sky where spotlights shine with power and are easily visible from rising dust whilst licking surrounding aged eucalyptus.
Conclusion to the set comes excellently together with Head First Down followed by final hurrah All I Could Have Been. Now well energised for an evening of farewell fun.
Last Dinosaurs, 3.02PM Sun
Fondly described to me as a tidy little unit early in their set. Last Dinosaurs do express a tidy brand of indie.
An obvious advocate for safe sex, encouraging the crowd to inflate their condoms to use as decorative balloon venue apparatus, gimmicks are not required to keep the crowd interested.
Songs like The Weekend, Honolulu and The End shows these guys will soon become a solid unit capable of drawing larger Splendour audiences.
An obvious advocate for safe sex, encouraging the crowd to inflate their condoms to use as decorative balloon venue apparatus, gimmicks are not required to keep the crowd interested.
Songs like The Weekend, Honolulu and The End shows these guys will soon become a solid unit capable of drawing larger Splendour audiences.
Cloud Control, 1.39PM Sun
There would not be a better way to open up a third day at Splendour than in the glorious sunshine taking in the experimental rock of Cloud Control. Seems as though many are in agreeance.
With festival go-ers seemingly in a bright, fun mood this four piece festival debutant are dishing up the taste that could set the mood for an enjoyable day. Definitely a great way for me to ease into proceedings after a hectic second day.
Gold Canary and Soul Collector has the crowd bouncing and feeling free but the whole set has been delicately littered with aural highlights, well worth the look and keen to hear the album again.
With festival go-ers seemingly in a bright, fun mood this four piece festival debutant are dishing up the taste that could set the mood for an enjoyable day. Definitely a great way for me to ease into proceedings after a hectic second day.
Gold Canary and Soul Collector has the crowd bouncing and feeling free but the whole set has been delicately littered with aural highlights, well worth the look and keen to hear the album again.
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