Happy 100th BDO

It was a milestone occasion – the 100th show for organisers Ken West and Vivian Lees and boy was it a ripper.

Calippo anyone?

With temperatures reaching a solid 42 degrees out west, it was going to be an unforgettable day. For OH&S reasons, I avoided arriving at the festival until around 3pm and headed straight for Passion Pit . Set up on the Converse State, these guys ripped it out and the crowd loved every second of it while slurping away on their ice cold Calippos.

Bailing early, knowing we had to get across the grounds for Girl Talk, we headed off. On the way we managed to jump over a lake that had developed thanks to a broken hose and by passed the vomit-worthy rides. The Boiler Room was our goal and we made it just in time. Straight into the centre of the mosh, Girl Talk was absolutely everything I hoped for and more. Mashing together the cream of the crop hits of my life, favourite moment was acting out ”If you fall, I will catch you, I’ll be waiting... time after time”.

Our next stop was the Blue Stage for none other than Dizzee Rascal . My crew and I had to venture through hundreds upon hundreds of fans just to make it onto the oval, climbing fences and jumping rails along the way. How appropriate that Dizzee’s hit ”Road Rage was playing at the time. Once on the field, I have to admit I wasn’t overly thrilled. Perhaps I had my expectations too high or perhaps I wasn’t around the right part of the crowd to get the best atmosphere. Dizzee would have been far more successful in the Boiler Room or perhaps later in the evening but each to their own. From other reviews, I believe Dizzee’s Friday performance went absolutely insane. 

Lily Allen

Disheartened, we left early and headed for the grand stands to chill and wait for Miss Lily Allen. More beautiful as ever in a Katy Perry styled playsuit, Lily performed a slower more relaxed set than previous years. I still remember BDO 2007 seeing Lily in the Boiler Room and thought her set back then was far more appropriate for a Big Day Out event.

Oh Jaymes :(

School girl error for the event was not pulling out enough cashola before heading to Homebush and therefore having to spend a solid 45 minutes in the ATM line. We weren’t very impressed.

Never to mind! We had been told by a friend to make sure we were at Calvin Harris because he was apparently completely and utterly worth it. And boy was he right! The ambience was ridiculous and the Boiler Room was exhilarating. For an act we were going to bypass, he proved why he has bagged himself a nomination at the 2010 Brit Awards for British Male Solo Artist.

As soon as Calvin Harris was done and we’d danced holes in our shoes, we headed to Powderfinger. Believe it or not, this was my first time ever seeing Bernard Fanning and the boys live in concert and I was completely blown away. Everyone naturally knew all the lyrics and we sung like we meant every single word. It was as if the thousands of people on that field were truly and honestly meaning every word they sang. It was simply beautiful.

Shuffling from one half to the other half, we waited with anticipation for Muse. It is as if these guys are the new super group for 2010. The light show, the sound, the graphics and the special rendition of Back in Black with Nic Cester from Jet were all so sensational, words cannot do the set justice.

I ended the night with Groove Armada however the exhaustion had set in and the new singer didn’t captivate me enough to stick around.

Without fail this would have to have been my favourite Big Day Out ever. 9.5 out of 10 (.5 lost for ATM line)

The Biggest Of Big Days Out

Finally! The set lists are out. Have you got any clashes for Big Day Out 2010? If you haven’t already got a ticket, I suggest you start begging and hunting. This is going to be one for the history books. With Groove Armada ending the night in the Boiler Room, the line up includes Australia’s best with a few wicked overseas acts. Look out for: Powderfinger Dizzee Rascal Girl Talk Eskimo Joe Calvin Harris Muse Lily Allen Hilltop Hoods Kasabian Lisa Mitchell Kisschasey Passion Pit Blue Juice Jet The Middle East LadyHawke And the list just keeps going...

This year get your tequila out and head to Lilyworld where the theme is Kooky Karnival Mexican style. Did anyone say sombreros? Excellent! BDO has been running for 17 solid years now. In 1992, the head lining acts were Nirvana and Violent Femmes... yes you read correctly. Why would have thought?? Since then, BDO has seen Iggy Pop, Sonic Youth, Bjork, Smashing Pumpkins, You Am I, Silverchair, Foo Fighters etc etc etc! One of Australia’s finest festivals. Celebrating their 100th show in Sydney, I cannot wait to see what the next 100 shows bring.

DJ Mr Belvedere

Jonathan Watkins

With an infectious laugh, unforgettable hair and sexy mixes, DJ Mr Belvedere is one to look out for across your favourite Sydney hot spots. Residing in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, you can find him spinning decks at Fringe most nights, The Shief and Cargo on Sundays. Keep a close eye out for DJ Mr Belvedere as he will make you want to dance until you can’t dance anymore. Don’t be afraid to say hello! You have all probably been wondering what ErinO is like on camera... so here you go :) *When I said 60 seconds... I lied. 

Ages of Rock

Anyone get a chance last night to watch Seven Ages Of Rock - My Generation: The Birth Of Rock last night on ABC1? This incredible program delved into the beginnings of the Rock and Roll era – starting in 1964. Through interviews with artists, video footage and recounts by journalists of the times, the show enabled even the youngest of watchers to get a grasp behind how cult bands of the era came to be. From before the beginning with artists such as Bobby Vincent (don’t know who he is? Basically the Jonas Brother of the time); to exploring the forbidden fruit of music that was the Blues, Rock and Roll never looked so raw. 

The documentary had a lot of interesting facts in it without being one bit dull. Next trivia night should be a breeze! For example did you know that The Rolling Stones named their band after some Muddy Water lyrics? The Yardbirds were the beginning for Eric Clapton. However after some success, he decided the band had become ‘too commercial’ therefore left (Sound familiar? Triple J listeners left right and centre chastise bands for going commercial).

More facts included the strange and unique riffs by The Kinks . These were actually achieved by cutting up old speakers to give it that edgy sound. The Who actually sought out the producer for The Kinks to help them along the road to success. They considered absolutely everything around them as pop art which goes hand in hand with the psychedelic London drug scene they came from. 

Rock and Roll truly became a cult of its own. There was an attitude about all the bands and they loved it. They were taking the simple rhythms and patterns of Blues music and singing about all new topics. Bob Dylan was initially a highly successful folk singer however knew he needed to go electric to keep his success. Robbie Robertson from The Band reminisced about Bob Dylan being booed of the stage when he made his significant seachange to rock and roll. Massive guitar solos started out when Eric Clapton joined forces with the most talented musicians of the time - Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce to form the band Cream. And no, this isn’t the kind of thing Guitar Hero can handle. The first part of the seven stages of rock came to an end with the death in Ultimo that inevitably ended the free spirit of the 60’s. I cannot wait for next week’s instalment! 

Mile High Club

After spending the afternoon chilling at the airport (Thanks Oliver for missing your flight!), I started wondering how the hardcore international journos and rock stars cruise around the world. A few questions popped into my head…

• Do they ever get delayed? 
• If they are 5 minutes late (yes we were only five minutes late today), is it a simple ”Unlucky!!! Goodbye money” to them and off they go to sort themselves out?
• How many cookies can they score in first class
• Are animals allowed? (How else would Paris Hilton maneuver her pet pig she sleeps with !) 

Take a leaf out of John Lennon’s book. When Lennon’s son Sean was young, John booked an entire first-class airline cabin. Why you ask??? Simply so Sean could set up his model train set! Thanks to this stunt, Lennon has an airport named after him in Liverpool. 

The sad thing however is that not all flights are fun, even for celebs. Three of Rock & Roll’s biggest performers in 1959 were killed in the one small plane crash. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson were all killed in the fatal crash. Not even the Rock & Roll gods could save them. What else did lyrics by Don McLean mean in his song American Pie? The Day the Music Died.

I’ve never travelled, have you guys??? 

Tell me some crazy stories! 

I’d love to hear them and vicariously live through them hehe

Barbie Goes GaGa

FACT – Lady GaGa dominates pop music  

FACT – The world is obsessed with the is she? Isn’t she? debate 

FACT – 43% of music blogs have mentioned Lady GaGa in a blog or written one about her* 

FACT – I just had to jump on the bandwagon! 

Incase you have been living under a rock for the past year, Lady GaGa aka Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta is a leotard loving, platinum blonde, entertainer, with an ear for music (learning piano through listening at age 4) and a voice to boot. She burst into our lives and onto the dancefloor in 2009 with her first hit of many - Just Dance.

She has even collaborated with Kanye’s fave gal pal Beyoncé ! Not only is this woman one of the smartest PR/business personalities in the industry (when AREN’T we talking about her?), even Barbie is giving it a crack! Well not really... but GaGa’s styles are sweeping the world one crazed fan at a time.

courtesy of veik11

Have you gone GaGa? 
*This isn't an actual statistic but felt fun to say :)

Parental Invasion

When it comes to festival going, the 60-somethings around the world really do know how to rock it.

From Woodstock to Australia’s The Sunbury Pop Festival, the older generation learnt to push the boundaries and take risks like no others to create the lifestyle most of us live now.

So when do you reach that point where you say enough is enough and retire from the festival lifestyle?

No doubt you’ve had a giggle here and there at images such as this:

But have you considered what we could look like in thirty years time?

For some, seeing your folks at festivals seems to be the norm. Splendour in the Grass in Byron Bay for example can be considered a ’family affair’ with young and old gathering around to chill, listen to music and bond. Falls Festival is also advertised as a family friendly festival.

I have mixed emotions about seeing my folks at a festival. On the one hand, who should stop them if they wanted to go??? They have as much of a right as I do! On the other hand... I would not appreciate it if my Mum pulled this infront of my mate:

At least we can all agree on one this... both young and old...

Gumboots are always welcome :)

Ploughing The Field

The Presets

Pumping, crunking and downright dirrrrty! Field Day 2010 was the only way to start off the New Year with the people of Sydney already breaking every New Year’s resolution.

Set at The Domain, Field Day had a line up including Jack Beats, Amanda Blank, Cassette Kids, The Presets, 2manydjs, Fake Blood, Lyrics Born, Major Lazer Soundsystem feat. Diplo and a stack more.

Although a humid day, there was a small dosage of rain that was warmly welcome by all in the early afternoon. The layout of the venue was aesthetically pleasing as expected of presenters Fuzzy, with beverage queues being long yet speedy; and toilets always having toilet paper.

I was fortunate enough to score media passes so this was my first experience being on the other side of the barriers. Strict security slowly warmed up to me and after 2 songs by The Presets, gave up on trying to kick me and my small, pink Panasonic camera out from the ‘Photographers Pit’. By the time 2manydjs rolled around, they were even enjoying a little dance and some kind professional photographers even let me hold their giant cameras! (Big shout out to photographer for Moshtix who politely danced with me rather than laugh).

Highlights of the day
Spotting some gouples, photographing The Presets and chilling with a great bunch of friends on the first day of the year.

Lowlights of the day
Aching legs at the end of the day, being locked out of the house on arrival home and 2manydjs lighting not working correctly. Rumour on the mill has it, they had set up specific light shows for each state however the system chucked a wobbly and couldn’t handle it. A right shame as they are such talented blokes. Still a fantastic set to listen to :)

Here is a nice snapshot of the day. Enjoy!