So I could talk about how overcrowded it was, or how muddy it was, or how much of a bitch it was to get to the GW McLennan Theatre... well whatever, this is all about the music, man. A recap of the sets I saw:Saturday
Brittle Fex - Emo kids with bad hair, obviously pretty psyched to be there. Fairly crap music and sentiment, but the drumming was kinda cool.
Dungen - They made a point of telling us, and even making us repeat, that it's pronounced Doong-yen. Or something like that, they're Swedish anyway. A bit erratic in styles that left me lost at times, with some tunes slightly poppy while others having an ambient mystical feel, but interesting enough to have the potential to develop into something great.
Youth Group - Consistently producing tight performances and quality songs, but pretty much the same as how they played at Big Day Out. Perhaps need some stage personality, but I enjoyed it so I shouldn't complain.
The Grates - A very fun band to jump around to, and their simplistic sound combination of energetic drum, guitar and vocals propelled by Patience's playful charisma was very effective in a festival crowd. Balloons are also fun.
Lior - Too crowded when I got there, so didn't get in far enough to really get a great sense of the atmosphere. I'm sure those close enough to see would have been highly impressed with his guitar skills. We all enjoyed a group hug-and-sway-along to "This Old Love" nevertheless.
Mogwai - Self-indulgent as one would expect, but produced very lovely powerful sounds and ambience that had me mesmerised. Hey, I dig that wanky shit.
Sonic Youth - I was ready to die happy after experiencing that performance. Best live set I have ever seen, I can't get over it. A sound I already love soooo much sounded just that much better live, with the lush riffs taking me deliriously high and the kickdrum pounding into my chest making me want to explode. And feedback... to capture feedback in a recording just doesn't do it justice. Not to mention the artists themselves - at 50-something, Kim Gordon somehow manages to grow spunkier and rock harder with age.
DJ Shadow - Disappointing according to many, I saw the last half hour and was fairly impressed. "Mashing On The Motorway" was interestingly challenging to dance to, with regularly surprising changes in rhythm.
Sunday
The Zutons - A brit-pop/rock sort of sound that included saxomophone made for a fun happy crowd-pleasing set. Very accessible and hence much potential for popularity.
The Vines - The much-anticipated mystery act. I was excited to learn who it was to be for a few seconds, before I remembered that hey, they kinda suck these days. With not much substance to their songs, they tried to rock in a riotous rambunctious we're-supercool Oasis-esque manner that didn't really work for me. Okay so I admit I didn't mind them once upon a time, but I conclude that their sound got old rather than got worse. Even their first few break-through singles didn't evoke any sort of nostalgia of a past time and place. Good on them for trashing the stage though, it was the most entertaining thing they did.
Snow Patrol - A lovely band with sweet lyrics, a delightful sound and an optimistic sentiment. Quintessentially Indie. Pleased loyal fans with favourites.
Presets - Dance-rock rarely disappoints, particularly at an event where people would expect to have a dance or to rock out.
José González - Only made it for Teardrop, which was beautifully delivered. I expect the rest of the set would have been of similar calibre.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Stupid name, impressive sound. I dig that chick's voice, it's something like a phenomena.
Gerling - Better than they were at Big Day Out, but I would have liked to hear more of their electro, especially being in the Mix Up Tent.
Scissor Sisters - Glam rock never ceases to entertain. Lost interest during slower songs, but that Ana Matronic has some sassy attitude that gets the crowd moving to that pumpin' groovin' sound.
When the Eels came to Brisbane in 2005 on their With Strings tour, they promised they would rock again. This time, with No Strings Attached, rock is certainly what they did indeed. The show opened in darkness with a rumble of sound effects that augmented anticipation within the audience, many of whom having high expectations from their previous performance at the Tivoli. Lights brightened to reveal Mark Everett and each of his Eels barbate and sporting sunglasses, dressed in various uniforms. The band delivered a selection of songs from their latest album, Blinking Lights And Other Revelations, as well as older favourites, most with high-paced boisterousness, only slowing down occasionally for a more poignant ballad.