The ever popular Pyramid Rock Festival returned to see out 2008 with a bang, and with a line up over two days showcasing the likes of The Black Keys, Morcheeba and The Living End, suffice to say that amazing would be the least of ones expectations.
Set on the fields overlooking Pyramid Rock, on arrival, I found myself blown around by strong gusts of winds that eventually would plague the artists performing on the main stage.
First on the itinerary were The Galvatrons, playing to an early afternoon crowd who all huddled together in the face of the wind. Whilst the Galvatrons may not be everyone’s cup of tea, or perhaps the novelty of the band has worn off, they can generally be counted on to put on a decent live performance when front man Johnny Galvatron isn’t trying too hard to be cool. Fortunately, the other members of the band don’t convey this impression, much to the relief of many.
Melbourne based post-hardcore boys Behind Crimson Eyes jumped on stage next, front man Josh Stuart flaunting a sleeveless flannelette shirt to the shivering crowd, desperately awaiting the moment they could jump around and ignore the cold. They didn’t have long to wait, as Sometimes Forever Means Never opened up the famed circle pit, and a riot ensued for most of the set, of which Behind Crimson eyes sprinkled in a few tracks from the upcoming album as well as old favourites.
Over to the Pharaoh’s Annex, which was decked out with last years main stage emerged Melbourne’s Twelve Foot Ninja, replete with ninja outfits to – œbanish any negative bullshit.’ For festival virgins, apprehension and nerves were nowhere in sight as they blasted through their set, looking like it was another day at the office. To close the set, Twelve Foot Ninja covered The Presets’ My People, which surprisingly doesn’t come off as bad as it could potentially be. With the Twelve Foot Ninja treatment, it subtly highlights the best of the original version, yet slips in a heavy-head banging climax.
Wading through the throng of punters gathered were the crew for Pez, who was shooting the music video for the aptly titled The Festival Song. Taking advantage of the fact that more than a few punters were eager to immortalize themselves within the realms of music videos, I saw it as my chance to attack the crepe van, figuring the sugar hit would be needed for the remainder of the day.
Back on the main stage, the first mega-sized crowd of the day had gathered in eager anticipation of Melbourne’s Mammal. Surprisingly, front man Ezekiel Ox wandered on stage with a shirt on, leaving many in the crowd wondering when the chafing would get to him, and he would revert to classic shirtless Zeke. Mammal have spent the last three months touring solidly in support of their album The Majority, and it has paid dividends in the best possible way. Unleashing a ferocious set which was punctuated by Zeke’s random crowd taunting – thanks to the select few who always feel the need to throw half-consumed cans and bottles on stage – more than a few were convinced by the Mammal message, and the fact that they had potentially put on the most entertaining set of the festival. FL’s esteemed photographer emerged from the photographer’s pit, sun burnt yet overly excited, gushing with praise for the performance, which saw a man in a wheelchair hoisted into the air to crowd surf. In a land of wacky out there-ness, this surely served to define the mad love shown for the band and their performance.
From the Land of the Long White Cloud The Black Seeds, brought the main stage to a calmer place with their dub, reggae and funk fusion. Many punters headed back to their tents following Mammal, possibly more than a little exhausted after being swept up by the force, but for those who stayed, they were treated to a set that drew heavily from Solid Ground, the most recent addition to the Seeds’ musical inventory.
One of my highly anticipated acts of the festival (due to the fact that they have barely toured at all in 2008) was Karnivool, all the way from Perth. Granted that they have spent the last year or so working on the still unnamed second album, it is always a pleasure to witness one of the stalwarts of the local rock scene smashing the preconceived mold of a typical show. Old favourites Shutterspeed and Roquefort featured in the set, as well as a few new ones, including the epic New Day which sadly was lost on half of the crowd, who started up a major circle pit, irritating the majority of punters, as well as the band themselves. Ever the consummate professionals, Karnivool endeavored to produce a solid set, treating fans to the extended version of Themata.
Mother Nature decided to intervene at the point in time, seeing as the sun had set, and night was rapidly descending. Also hailing from Perth, Gyroscope were the unfortunate victims, plagued by heavy winds and an onslaught of rain. Unfortunately, they were forced to take refuge side of stage – technical issues forced a break in halfway through. Gyroscope returned with Fast Girl and Snakeskin, leaving the crowd disappointed by the interruption, but more than satisfied with their set.
During the rain soaked interval, hoards of punters crowded the Pharaoh’s Annex to catch Salmonella Dub, who were living it up with one of the best light shows all festival. Though the combination of overcrowding and one too many light beams directly in the eye left me dazed and confused for a moment.
The two screens flanking the main stage were taken down for The Living End, who only had to contend with the winds that had plagued many acts earlier in the day. Fortunately for them, the rain clouds had taken themselves elsewhere, and the punters returned with a vengeance, near drowning the trio out singing along to the classics such as Prisoner of Society, West End Riot and White Noise. The Living End are always entertaining to watch on stage, and it’s a strong willed person who doesn’t feel the need to shuffle ones feet and dance around when they’re on.
Sadly, the long drive to the Island and a rapidly disappearing voice meant calling it a night at this stage, forfeiting the chance to catch Fat Freddy’s Drop and The Scientists of Modern Music, but with another massive day ahead, we dragged our tired and sleepy carcasses back to the campsite, turning our thoughts to the day ahead.
to listen to their music now on 
