St JEROMES LANEWAY FESTIVAL REVIEW
Thanks to FASTERLOUDER for the pic.
ok, so this is nearly a week late sure, but you know what? I got there. Took me ages, but I got there.
Laneway Festival last weekend was killer. The venue is amazingo, and man, that lineup…jeepers. When I reviewed last years, I wrote something along the lines of it being a music bloggers wet dream. Well, this years was more like I actually meant to do it, not any of this of crap, look at the mess I’ve made during my sleep. This years was more like, let’s make more mess and stay awake and do some more.
Ok, so enough of the wank talk.
The first band we saw was The Holidays. We actually missed Buchanan due to the whole floods thing that happened last weekend. Took us a little longer to get to the venue. Pissed off I missed Buchanan, but glad I caught some of The Holidays set. If these guys were to play in a few years time at Laneway, I think their set would be mid afternoon, not one of the openers. No secret about my love for the guys, they’re album of last year made my top 10, and Broken Bones was one of my fave tracks from last year. They’re gonna get heaps big me thinks. Live, they’re really solid. I remember remarking to my mate that they’re heaps tighter than the last time we saw them (supporting Bluejuice early last year). Band on ze rise me thinks.
After Holidays, we caught some of World’s End Press. Same with Holidays, I reckon these guys will be closing a stage in a few years time. But that’s more because they’re stuff suits a bit more of a late night thing. Watching they’re pretty darn stellar disco indie stuff at 1 in the afternoon was kinda strange. But man, they do rock it live. I’d heard things about these boys, and now I know it’s true. Definitely a band that will be up there with Cutters and Juggers as big amazing Aussie bands doing big amazing things os.
World’s End Press – Faithful
From World’s End Press we went a little dark. PVT were good. But I dunno, there seemed to be something lacking from their set. I like them, but to be honest, I only have their last album. They were good, but yeah, something lacking. We left these guys and saw a tiny bit of Jenny and Johnny. These guys were pretty great. Indie guitar pop lovey dovey shit. But it’s good.
Until then, the bands were good, but if I went home at that point, I wouldn’t have been that happy with it all. The bands were all really good, but I didn’t have that moment where you go home thinking man, let’s not ever forget that.
Then we saw Beach House. To say that they were good, well, man. They were in my top three of the day, easily. Maybe 2nd best. Victoria is one of those indie goddess babes that you only think about seeing live. Teen Dream was massive here – made #2 on my albums list. Everything about them was great. I remember thinking ‘man, this is swoons galore’. supes was. Tracks like Zebra and Norway definitely helped the swooning.
Beach House – Norway
After Beach House, things got interesting. The intention was to go an check out Blonde Redhead, but they had swapped spots with Holy Fuck. So we decided to stay at this stage and check out Two Door Cinema Club. I wasn’t that fussed on these guys before Laneway. They can write some amazing pop songs, but they didn’t really do it for me. That, and I was sceptical about them live. Their songs are so quick and tight that I thought they wouldn’t be able to pull it all off. I was mistaken though. After a massive wait (40mins and missing out on Holy Fuck) and seeing the crowd go crazy apeshit, they actually pulled it off damn well. It still lacked something for me though. But that probably says more about my music snobbery than anything else.
Next up was Yeasayer. We were towards the back for these guys, so I think I missed out on the best parts, but tracks like O.N.E., Madder Red and Ambling Alp were all massive, and tight and killer. After those dudes we managed to check out a tiny bit of Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, and man, gold pants? Really? I didn’t get these guys at all.
Then it was off to check out Blonde Redhead in their later timeslot. These guys were easily the surprise of the day. I knew they had good songs, but wow. They were tight as hell, had that super loud wall of sound thing going on, and well, then there’s the songs. Pop song perfection these guys are. So glad I was these guys.
Blonde Redhead – Spring And By Summer Fall
And then there was Cutters.
Although their set incorporates a bit of techy stuff (I love tech, but I think I love In Ghost Colours so much that it skews what I hear just a bit), they were solid. They even had a door onstage, which although it was a little wanky, kinda worked. People thought that the only reason they had it on stage was so that they could enter the stage that way (mind you, the door was front and centre). They did enter the door that way, and you could tell that even they thought it was a little funny. But then, man, that door had some magic powers or something. It moved around, they’re were images on it, it was it’s own little light show. It was having a party. And so were we (bad segue anyone?!). I love Cutters and probably will until I die. Anything they do, I love (and I’m sure i’ll love Zonoscope after a few more listens).
Out There On The Ice seems to be nearly everyone’s favourite track of there’s. Don’t even think it’s was released as a single, but they always pull it out live. I loved them. Can’t say it enough.
Cut Copy – Out There On The Ice
All in all, it was pretty darn good. Food didn’t run out also which was a good thing. Bring on next year. The guys always put on a great festival.
BUCHANAN ADDED TO LANEWAY MELBOURNE
A bit over a week ago, Triple J announced the Unearthed winners playing at Laneway Festival. I could have blogged about this then, but I kinda forgot. It works out well though, because the dudes at Laneway released playing times etc today too, so why not one big post for it all??!!
First up, the Melbourne winners for Unearthed were Buchanan. The track they won with is Teachers (down below), but I’ve been following these dudes for a while now. They’re a three piece doing some pretty tight indie pop. Their earlier tracks sound way beyond a few dudes who are unsigned. And Teachers ain’t no exception. Super looking forward to seeing these guys open up laneway. Check out more of their tracks on their Unearthed profile.
For a list of the other bands that took out the right to open up Laneway in their home cities, head here.
Also today, Laneway finally released the playing times. Coz i’m going to the Melbourne leg, we’re only sorta worried/excited about the playing times for that specific show. If you’re from another city, you can grab the playing times via the Laneway website.
But Melbourne. Man. Luckily, I seem to have found a non clash pathway from gates open to close. Except for all the opening bands i wanna catch. And then theirs my mate. Ha! I think he wants to see Ariel Pink…ok, so there might be a few clashes. But yes, below are my pics for the day.
was it silverchair?
ok, so the title of this post is a bit of a long shot, but if you ever heard an old radio show called Get This (was on *whispers* triple m), then you might get this reference. Brian Nankervis from Rockwiz was in and they were having a comp where people called up and had to answer questions. It was a bit after the dude meant to be featured in this post, Gotye won an ARIA award for best male.
Brian asked a caller (an inebriated fellow called Phillip) the question: “What is the ARIA award winning Gotye’s real name?”
Phillip: “What is the ARIA good year?”
Brian: “No, No. The guy who won an ARIA the other night, Gotye, what is his real name?”
Phillip: “The guy that won an ARIA the other night was his real name?”
Tony (host of Get This): “Yes”.
Phillip: “Was it silverchair?”
Ed (other host): “I’m going to accept that, I’m going to accept that. That’s fair enough”
*Hilarity ensues*
For those who remember Get This, you can still get all the podcasts of the show on iTunes. Grab them here.
Anyway, whenever I think of Gotye, I always think of that skit. You probably have to listen to it for it to be funny.
Anywho…now that that’s out of the way, let’s get onto Gotye.
So, as Phillip couldn’t answer, Gotye’s real name is Wally de Backer. He’s been around for a while and had an absolutely massive album a few years back called Like Drawing Blood. He’s back…finally! His new single is called Eyes Wide Open and it’s kicking. Rollicks along like no tomorrow. Interesting to see how he goes live actually – from what I’ve read he sometimes does a one man show, behind a drum kit with samples etc galore. Will be able to check it out at Laneway next year…he’s on the bill!
Anyway, enough of what is probably the longest post in a while. Here’s the track!
Gotye – Eyes Wide Open (Free download via bandcamp)
Laneway 2011 LINEUP!
ok. So this morning, Triple J slowly let out the lineup for the St Jeromes Laneway Festival for next year…
wow.
I think that’s all I can say! Most of the bands I’ve been hanging out to see but haven’t been able to coz of the year that is Honours Thesis are on this list.
Cutters (AM SO FREAKING PUMPED TO SEE THESE BOYS LIVE AGAIN!) played at Parklife which would’ve been awesome.
Yeasayer and Beach House played at Splendour.
And then there’s PVT, Rat Vs Possum, The Holidays, Bear In Heaven, Deerhunter, Holy Fuck, Gotye…man, the list just goes on and on. It’s like a bloggers wet dream…or nightmare (Too many great bands in only one day!)
Anyway, you can check out the lineup just below. You can check out my mini review of last years here. Also make sure you check out a few tracks from the bands playin.
I am freaking excited!
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Ariel Pink
Beach House
Bear in Heaven
Blonde Redhead
!!!
Cut Copy
Deerhunter
Foals
Gotye
Holy Fuck
Jenny and Johnny
Les Savy Fav
Local Native
Menomena
The Antlers
The Holidays
PVT (PVT – Window)
Rat vs Possum (Rat Vs Possum – Binti Jua)
Stornoway
Two Door Cinema Club
Violet Soho
Warpaint
World’s End Press (World’s End Press – Golden Child)
Yeasayer (Yeasayer – O.N.E)
St Jerome’s Laneway Festival – Melbourne 30/01/10
ok. Laneway Festival was a festival I’d been looking forward to for quite a while. I hadn’t been before, and after the much publicised ‘outcry’ about last year, it was great to see it moved to the nice open Footscray Community Arts Centre. The lineup itself was impressive. I remember writing a while ago that it was a music bloggers ‘wet dream’ or something along those lines…and I think I was kinda right. There were some bands I wish I saw, but I’m really glad I did see the bands that I did.
Local fellas Oh Mercy were first up, playing on the river stage. They did a nice solid set. Tracks like “Seemed Like A Good Idea” (which was introduced as something about sleeping with cousins…) and Can’t Fight It were big standouts. Nice indie pop for what was a pretty warm afternoon.
Next up, we headed over to the carpark stage to check out Portland, Oregan based Hockey. When I first started writing this blog, these guys were one of the first bands I really discovered. I’ve only just bought their album though…and that was purely due to how bloody impressive they were at Laneway. They got into it massively. Great electro pop. Work was a definite standout, as well as Song Away. They played a pretty short set, but it was sweet. Short and sweet…get it?
After Hockey, we walked up the bridge to the Moreland Street stage to check out another local band, Bridezilla. One of the dudes I went with argues that everything sounds better with ‘Zilla’ at the end of it…and well…i’m not too sure if that fits. Bridezilla are an interesting band – One vocalist/guitarist/keys player, another guitarist, a violinist, a saxophonist, and a drummer. Interesting sound, and they are all mega mega mega talented ladies…and man (the drummer is a dude, the rest are girls). I’m just not sure if it’s my kinda sound. My friend loves them, we both checked them out a few months ago supporting Decoder Ring…and I think they improved from then. Maybe it’ll take me a few listens before I get into them.
Next up, we got some food. There was such a surge for Mumford & Sons that we decided to give them a miss…although we did check out the end of their set…after they blew a speaker! They were ok. Not sure if the festival experience was the best way to see them though. Next up, it was a toss up between Sarah Blasko and The XX. I went for Sarah Blasko. I’m not that much of a fan of The XX…sound a little too depressing for me. I like Sarah Blasko. She’s got a good voice and all that…but her songs kinda sound the same. To me, they just don’t stand out. I’ve heard only good reviews about The XX though, so maybe I got it wrong on that one.
Fifth on the list was one of my favourite bands, Midnight Juggernauts. I was freakin excited when these guys were announced…and only a day before the gig! Echo & The Bunnymen lead singer Ian McCulloch missed his flight…so Juggers were announced as replacement. And fuck they were good. I’d never actually seen them live before, and as Laneway organiser dude Jerome Borazio said, they are one of the best live bands around. Absolute standout for me was a personal fave, 45 and Rising. Went off. Newy This New Technology was also a standout. Although it was too hot to go completely nuts, the whole crowd did a pretty good job of it.
Next up it was more food time…although after waiting in a line going for about 100 metres for about 20 minutes we found out that they had actually run out. But that was really the only negative about the day. After deciding icecream was a good substitute, we headed back up and caught the end of Dirty Three. These guys have been around for ages – big early nineties instrumental folk noise rock kinda band. One of those bands that I’d heard the name of but never really checked out before. We caught the end of a song called Indian Love Song, an epic massive long piece, as well as a really nice mellow track called Everything’s Fucked (real mellow.) . The guys themselves comprise of only violin, guitar, and drums. But they have the sound of about 15 people on stage. Warren Ellis creates such a heavy level of distortion on his violin that it just goes nuts.
Last set of the night we checked out was The Middle East. I personally have a massive softspot for these guys. Their track Blood came in at #2 on my best tracks of 2009 list, and they were just awesome. Great solid set, nice and chilled. Great way to end what was a pretty bloody good day. You can check out some pics from the day over at the maamf facebook page.
There were other bands I wish I did see though. Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Dappled Cities, Whitley, Philly Jays, NASA, The Very Best. This is how good the lineup was though, it was impossible to not miss a good band because another good band would be playing at the same time! So, minus the food hickup, it was definitely a great day. They always seem to have a solid lineup every year, so if you’re around late Jan next year, definitely check it out!
I’ll leave you with a few tracks. Some Oh Mercy, some Hockey, some Juggers and some Dirty Three.
Oh Mercy – Seemed Like A Good Idea
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Midnight Juggernauts – 45 and Rising
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Dirty Three – Everything’s Fucked
K. That’ll do the ramble for now
laneway festival: new venue, new lineup
You think Laneway Festival. You think St Jeromes. You think all those cool laneways in Melbourne. Well…this year you think wrong. St Jeromes closed it’s doors earlier on this year, and after a pretty bad festival this year (punters pissing in the street, massive scheduling probs etc), the organisers have decided to move it. And this time it’s not a laneway. It’s actually a pretty open area. Footscray Community Arts Centre is where it’s at next year. Some may think why?! Footscray?? Isn’t that junkie town? Hehe…well yeah, there is that side of it. It’s also a pretty funky area – super multicultural! If you ever want a good meal, check out just about any Footscray cafe/restaurant. Especially if you dig middle eastern food and also african food. Awesome awesome awesome. You can check out a run through of the venue here.
Anyway, the lineup for the gig is looking pretty good so far. Local bands like The Middle East, Dappled Citties, and Eddy Current Suppression Ring, as well as local solo dudettes and dudes Sarah Blasko and Whitley. For a local lineup, that’s pretty good so far. But I think it’s the international artists that really sell it. Florence & The Machine, Hockey, NASA, The XX, The Very Best, Mumford and Sons. I mean geez! It’s a music bloggers wet fuckin dream!
Tickets for all legs of the fest (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth) go on sale Friday (30th October). Can not wait! Good Vibes tix also go on sale that day too…so I think I might just have to waste a bit of money on Friday. Hehe.
To leave you with, a few of the tracks from the bands/artists I’m really hanging out to see.
Mumford & Sons – Little Lion Man
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K. That’ll do the ramble for now.
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