This year’s annual Rollercoaster festival was set to be the biggest yet, with some of Australia’s most current popular acts set to play. Though it seems numbers have dropped and punters are becoming more troublesome as the years pass, could it be that the fourth rollercoaster may mark the last?

Battle to Rock at Rollercoaster 2008 winners The Words kickstarted the main stage before Perth band Tame Impala stepped out to a barely there crowd (the first sign of dropping ticket sales).

The local stage was also up and running at this time showcasing the underage talent of The Campbell Ellis Band and local heavy rock favourites Thirigyn. Also playing the local stage were Mavericks and Imposters, who supported Panic at the Disco earlier this year, You Me and Ryan, Echostone, and Tangled Thoughts of Leaving.

By the time The Teenagers began their set, a welcoming crowd was forming. Lead singer Quentin Delafon wasn’t scared of mingling with the crowd even stealing a few dance moves from a crowd member for Starlett Johansson. During Homecoming, Delafon invited three girls on stage as cheerleaders, a move which has become popular at many of their shows. Luckily the girls were fans and knew the words to the song; otherwise it could have been awkward.

Jumping on stage next were high school graduates Operator Please. A pleasing crowd had gathered, proving their popularity and staying power within the Australian community. Although you can’t keep everyone happy and one disgruntled punter couldn’t help but yell abuse at vocalist Amandah Wilkinson. She came back quickly though, with many swear words, exclaiming “I don’t care, your money’s in my pocket.” Wilkinson later apologised for the use of such vulgar language. They then proceeded to perform songs off their debut album, a couple of new ones fresh from the jam room, and a cover of Salt and Pepper’s Push It.

Cut Copy raised the stage to a new level of pop, performing everyone’s favourites from their debut album, showing how truly infectious their music is, while showing Operator Please how it’s done electro style.

Western Australian boys Gyroscope trod familiar ground when they performed next. Never a boring act, they bounced around stage belting out everyone’s favourite hits, both old and new. The crowd went crazy when they broke down Fast Girl with a cover of Midnight Oil’s Beds are Burning.

Sneaky Sound System performed to the biggest crowd of the day, with many punters turning up just for them. After being kept as the secret act until December 1st, crowd members were truly excited to see Sneaky Sound System performing in Mandurah. Unfortunately, the moment was short lived after lead singer Miss Connie was hit in the head with a full water bottle. The incident occurred halfway through UFO and sent many disgruntled fans home as Miss Connie was carried off staged with many claiming they saw her eye bleeding.

Whilst the rest of the crowd was left wondering whether The Living End would come on to conclude the show as planned, Sneaky Sound System packed up and headed home.

Thankfully, the Living End came out to perform -sending the crowd wild. There was a sense of tension in the air, however, as the crowd had just been warned that if anything was thrown on stage the show was over. That didn’t stop Chris Cheney and fellow Living Enders putting on a stellar performance though. Their set was filled with an array of songs from their back catalogue and most recent release White Noise as they got up to their usual on stage antics. 2008 wasn’t the band’s first Rollercoaster, they played at the festival’s debut back in 2005. This year was, however, the first time they had headlined. Saving their most popular song of the moment, White Noise till last, the band finished to a crowd begging for more. While audience members heckled for an encore, a kind man came out to pat them on the backs, for keeping the stage clear of all foreign objects, and wishing them a safe journey home.

In the end, it was an enjoyable event despite certain people injuring fantastic artists. To this date, Rollercoaster Mandurah has been popular for those in the south and it would be disappointing to see it disappear.