The V-Festival on paper looked like a fairly reasonable concept. The fact that it made to Adelaide and wasn’t supported in its original form is an issue that can continue to be debated for some time to come. Despite the fundamental flaws, the lack of promotion, the exorbitant ticket prices, being split over two nights, lacking a solid line up to sustain itself for two days I’m surprised that this festival limped in to town.
I didn’t care because I’ve been waiting years and years to see The Pixies and not even a life support system was going to stop me. Having the likes of the New York Dolls, Phoenix and Jarvis Cocker on the bill is and was a nice bonus.
New York Dolls hit the stage at the extremely early time slot of six o’clock. The disappointing thing for these guys was that the venue wasn’t half full at this stage with many thinking they would be on at the publicised timeslot of seven o’clock. This can only be described as a monumentous fuck up beyond all proportions as many Adelaidians have been waiting thirty-two years to see the New York Dolls and subsequently missed out. Their performance was spirited but if there was ever a case for growing old gracefully this is it. I have to plead ignorance when it comes to their setlist but given that they were on for forty minutes they did a reasonable job sticking to the hits.
Phoenix was impressive and most fans were raving about their set during the break. I don’t know if it was due to the fact that they turned the PA up extremely loud making them sound better than what they really were. Long Distance Call and No Consolation Prize were standouts and so to were Too Young and If I Ever Feel Better from their debut United and Run, Run, Run from Alphabetical.
Jarvis Cocker was another memorable moment for me. The former Pulp front man has charm, charisma and plenty of swagger as he unleashed songs from his brand new album The Jarvis Cocker Record. Walking out munching on an apple seemed like a cheeky way to launch in to Fat Children. If any song was going to leave an impression of Jarvis Cocker it would no doubt be Cunts Are Still Running The World.
Years of waiting came to an end when The Pixies hit the stage and for the first time in a long time I was screaming like a schoolgirl. Over the next hour and a quarter they played twenty-five of the most influential indie-alternative-rock classics that shaped a genre and made music exciting and refreshing.
The set started with Bone Machine then Monkey Gone To Heaven then moving on from hit to hit and essentially you name, they played it. I don’t think anyone could have left disappointed with the set and by my reckoning the only other song of note that was left out was Alec Eiffel.
The Pixies are an awesome band to watch and whilst there is no audience interaction they perform with such intensity. Frank Black, Kim Deal, David Lovering and Joey Santiago are in a league of their own when it comes to skill and musicianship. It was easy to ride this moment with them as all the hits were wheeled out for one and all to see as it is unlikely we’ll see The Pixies again. Wave Of Mutilation, Caribou, Hey, Here Comes You Man, Debaser are just a few of ‘hits’ that impressed the masses.
The main set closed with the unforgettable Where Is My Mind? It was a fitting end as they acknowledged the crowd and lapping the adulation from the two thousand strong crowd. Just when I thought I had seen a enough they returned for an encore with La La Love You and Gigantic to close the set night. It would be hard pressed to go to another gig that come even come close to eclipsing this.
Bring on night two!
