Big Day Out 2008, in WAY too much detail, just so's you know.

[sarren]

On Sunday it was the birthday party of my best-friend-since-uni's son, held in the park behind the Playhouse in Subiaco.

Then I left my car at their place, wandered down to the train station, and managed to cram onto a train going to the Showgrounds. I got to know my fellow passengers VERY well.



Free bottles of ice tea being handed out on arrival at Claremont train station was made of awesome. I mean, it tasted like cordial, but I scored a great drink bottle!

Then it was time to go in!!!

Passing through security:
Me *starting to unpack on table* This is my empty water bottle. This is my book in case I get bored. This is my unopened pack of beer nuts. This -
Guard - YOU CAN GO NOW.

Caught a bit of Antiflag while looking for ascetic_hedony, met up in time to go watch Gyroscope on the small tucked away enclosed stage, where it was quite hot. Baked in the sun for a while then went to check out Faker, who pleased me with their catchy music and cute English accents.

AH demonstrated his genius by positioning us against the barricades behind the area in front of the stage which meant
- an unobstructed view of the stage
- something to lean against
- the opportunity to be sprayed with water hoses when you asked to, and sometimes whether you wanted to or not
- access to the breeze
- uninterrupted supply of water, as the security people were more than happy to fill up water bottles for people

Midnight Juggernauts were on next. I’ve never heard of them. Some of their stuff was really cool, some not so much. We left early to go to the pavilion for a sit down in shade and airconditioning. How cute is AH – he asked me if I’d brought ID in order to get in, where of course the reality was me walking towards Security saying ‘you don’t really want to check my ID, do you’ and the guy getting a deer in headlights look and shaking his head hurriedly.

I got bored with that very shortly (plus the close atmosphere and dull roar of voices wasn't helping my headache avoidance masterplan) so I wandered back to the corner of the arena that was to the side of the stages and near the big screen so I could sit against the fence that separated the drunks licensed area from the main arena. I listened to Regurgitator finish their set and the first two songs of Hilltop Hoods, which I are not to my taste but it was amusing watching teenyboppers hip hopping their little hearts near me. Went off to try and find AH at Battles, which, omg I did not like at all and in fact realised very soon that I’d lost track of time and it was time for Billy Bragg.

Billy was in the indoor venue, yays! Caught up to AH who was there, out of curiosity, I suspect. I was a fan of Billy fifteen years ago OMG - saw him perform at the Concert Hall. I thought I'd feel mainly nostalgic and vaguely guilty and discovered instead that the man is still awesome and charismatic and still passionate at 50 years old. He had this hilarious rant about people like him continuing to fight against fascism, why? because they’re old Clash fans. Yeah, you kinda had to be there. He talked about not getting complacent now that Howard’s gone, that the biggest enemy is cynicism and god he’s right but that’s another lj post that I will probably never make.

After that we resumed our positions at the barricade in time for the end of Grinspoon and watched Arcade Fire, which was the exciting new discovery of the day for me. I had only previously heard that one track Triple J have been playing to death, so was surprised and impressed by this indie rock band out of Quebec.

Left them before the end in order to go see Karnivoor at the small stage again. There was a breeze this time and it was later so not so oppressive. AH is a fan so we stayed til the end and then went back to the main arena and caught the last half of Silverchair, by sitting on the grass and watching the screen. I’ve never paid any attention to them before and then was surprised at myself for being surprised at how good they are. It’s easy to forget how long they’ve been going now.

Ah Bjork. I have now still seen you perform live and I STILL don’t get you. The show was impressive, with the brilliantly robed blonde back up girls on brass instruments and, at one point, a laser show, which combined with the more upbeat heavy music during that song was the best for me, but it was a relief when AH suggested leaving to go see some of Sarah Blasko, who was enjoyable, but I did not get to see much as it was time for Rage Against the Machine!!! AH chose to see Paul Kelly instead so we parted ways with a somewhat confused agreement to call each other later in the unlikely event we were ready to go home at the same time.

Positioned myself at the barricade again for Rage Against the Machine. Half way through the first song the speakers over our side cut out which made for a ground-swell of anger and disappointment, but luckily for everyone, really, they got it fixed by the second one. Rage were awesome, as you’d expect and I had fun rocking out to them and also watching all sweaty shirtless muscled guys attempting to jump the barricades getting wrestled to the ground and dragged out by Security dudes – only to be thrown back in with us. It was amusing when the two skinny fifteen year olds next to me took advantage of one instance where the barricade jumper was so huge the security guys had clearly just gone oh fuck!! and ALL converged on him and the two boys leaped gazelle-like over the fences and zig zagged across the open space and disappeared into the mosh pit. The security guys didn’t even get close.

It was 10.36 when Rage finished up with ‘Killing In the Name Of’ and I was ready to attempt to go home, as were a billion other people. Ended up meeting up with AH and by the time we’d made our way onto the street it was 11.20. We’d very quickly and wisely given up on attempting to cram onto the train. AH was of the opinion it would take 15 minutes to walk to my car in Subi. I was sceptical. The brisk 40 minute walk was actually quite pleasant. We watched four trains go by in that time, all crammed to bursting. I think we made the right choice.

It was 12.32am by the time I got home.

In conclusion ::koff:: an awesome, awesome day out.


N.B Boring stuff about me actually being prepared this year, instead of just going in with keys, ticket and cash like previously:
I am a delicate snowflake who is guaranteed to get a migraine in a hot crowded environment. I also get headachy if I get hungry, and obviously, if I get dehydrated. I came fully prepared this year. I brought my water bottle (rapidly exchanged for the more versatile ice tea one with the wider opening so I could scam ice from the energy drink vendors), which I drank from constantly. I had fruit and nuts, which I snacked on regularly, and a reasonably healthy dinner. Sensible light coloured and thin clothes, and visor, and sunscreen, which I remembered to reapply regularly, as I STAYED WET all afternoon. The breeze had come up, so I was comfortable and not too hot at all. And Mersyndol for the inevitable (administered early enough for once)

I TOTALLY WIN.

Comments

[mr-booboo.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you had fun. If you're interested in listening to more Arcade Fire, let Trille or I know and we can work something out for you.

[sarren.livejournal.com]

I am!

Send me an email, pls, I have been compulsively deleting personal mail and can't remember your email addy.