Check out photos of all the Big Day Out Adelaide action HERE
The Melbourne Big Day Out revealed HERE
See what went on in Sydney HERE
Check out the pics and review from the Gold Coast HERE
Australia’s premier music festival, The Big Day Out, pulled into Adelaide with 34,000 punters taking in all the sights, sounds and everything else this grand event has to offer. On paper it is easy to argue that this wasn’t the best line up ever pulled together and was sold out purely on the strength of the headline act Rage Against The Machine. Nevertheless, there were some great performances from the lesser lights during the event making for a very enjoyable day.
The weather was perfect, the beer was cold and the overrated food was expensive bleeding many a pockets dry. The dilemma for any punter is what to see and how long you’ve got to do so before moving on to the next stage. There were few bands where I got to see complete sets but one that was worthy was British India. These lads played like their life depended on it and captured the festival spirit. Highlights include Tie Up My Hands, Run The Red Light and Black & White Radio.
Bands that really caught my eye and I wish I could have stayed longer to see were Something With Numbers, Lady Strangelove, Enter Shikari and Gyroscope (who should have been on the main stage).
Regrets? Hmm, I wish I could have seen Battles, Unkle, Billy Bragg and Kate Nash but as they say you can’t be everywhere at once and I tried cramming as much as I could in twelve hours.
Regurgitator and Grinspoon were definite crowd pleasers and could you imagine a Big Day Out with out them. I thought Faker should have been banished to the smaller stages with their lacklustre set. I’ve seen them play far better before but it does seem like front man Nathan Hudson is more preoccupied with his recent revelation to the world.
Tom Morello who is the Nightwatchman was brilliant playing tunes off his One Man Revolution album. There was a massive crowd on hand to see his set and there was a sense of anticipation or hope that Serj Tankian (from System Of A Down) would make an appearance but to no avail. The highlight for me was the re-interpretation of an AC/DC classic Dirty Deeds.
Spoon versus Arcade Fire? After seeing Spoon on their last two tours the choice was still a difficult one. Spoon was fantastic albeit their first four tunes. I hope they make it back sometime soon.
Arcade Fire in short was brilliant. I was always a little worried about how they would go down especially on the main stage but I was blown away by their performance. Hearing songs from the infamous Funeral album was pure joy and may not ever happen again. Favourites for me include Wake Up, Keep The Car Running, Laikia and Rebellion (Lies).
The band I was disappointed the most in was Silverchair. As a band there set is to predictable, flat, tired, dull as they continue to belt out the same tunes time after time. After seeing their last four tours I would have to say it is time to mix it up and retire some tunes to greener pastures for a while. Sporting a new hair do it definitely looks like that front man Daniel Johns is moving on with life after Natalie Imbruglia.
Despite all the problems in New Zealand with a photographer and pulling out of the Sydney Big Day Out with swollen vocal chords Bjork was enough to test the patience of fans waiting to see Rage Against The Machine. The die-hard fans must have been counting their blessings as she played the lesser-known tracks from her discography. I found Bjork a tad frustrating and boring at times as her set plodded along as she delivered Earth Intruders, Hunter, Hyperballad, Pluto and Declare Independence. It was great to have seen but I’m glad I didn’t have to fork out an outrageous amount of cash to see her Sydney Opera House spectacular.
The moment had come for Rage Against The Machine to hit the stage after eleven years since their last visit. It did seem like everyone who attended the Big Day Out was in the main arena for the grand finale. Rage Against The Machine exceeded all expectations and proved that their reunion was definitely not about money or any other materialistic reason. Zack, Tom, Brad and Tim hit the stage in what could be considered as one of the most politically powerful performances in the history of the event and one few will ever forget.
Straight out of the blocks they kicked off with the turbo charged Testify before delving in to a back catalogue of hits including Bulls On Parade, People Of The Sun, Bullet In The Head and Know Your Enemy. The pinnacle of their set came by way of Wake Up, which up until now hadn’t been played at any other Big Day Out. The message to Rupert Murdoch and the accusations through his newspapers was an incredibly strong one giving plenty of fuel to fire to make this a standout moment in their set. Renegades Of Funk and Guerrilla Radio were fantastic topped off by Freedom and Killing In The Name.
As I walk back to the car – tired, sunburnt and sore – it was hard not think that this was a top day. Another year down and thoughts turn to the next Big Day Out making me wonder who will headline in 2009.
