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It seems the summer music festivals are selling out quicker than ever. Which is a great thing. We have a wealth of musical talent in this country, and although we're miles away from everywhere, our hot summer's entice the big international acts to escape the northern winters. Being a veteran of countless summer festivals, I thought it may be a good idead to impart the benefit of my experience on to younger atomicans who may be hitting their first festival this summer.
Over the page I have included my guide to surviving a mosh pit and underneath is a quick rundown of what the big festivals have in store and the acts not too miss at the biggest festival, The Big Day Out.
- But first, 5 things to remember to ensure your experience is a good one:
- Slip, Slop, Slap: It is summer and a sunburn is not the souvenier you want to take home.
- Protect your valuables: Pick pockets love crowds. A bum bag underneath your shirt, or (if that's too geeky for you) a wallet chain are good ideas. And leave the valuable camera at home and buy a disposable for the day. The pics might not be as good, but nothing'd ruin your day as quick as loosing one of your prized posessions
- Arange a meeting point: Somewhere that is central, yet unlikely to become to crowded. An outer area of the grandstand where the view of the main stage is blocked perhaps.
- Don't over-indulge: Mind-altering substances are all fun, but you want to be able to remember your experience. And if go hard when you didn't plan too, catch the train home and get a lift for your car tommorow. Booze busses love the crowds going home from festivals.
- A map, a program and a watch: Programs and maps usually abound throughout the festival. There never seems to be one when you need it, so making sure you've got one on you is a great idea. It also doesn't hurt to study one before you go. Plan your day loosely, but be ready to change schedule when the situation calls for it. Ofcourse, some implement to tell the time makes the program much more powerful.
Ten acts not to miss at the Big Day Out 07
1. Tool This one is a no-brainer. I first saw Tool at the first Offshore festival in 96 on the tail of Ænima. I was a bit indifferent to them as a band, but they definately won me over. They were quite simply the best performers I have ever seen. Maynard James Keenon brings the music to life through his vocals and body language. This is a band to sit in the grandstand and watch.2. Lupe Fiasco The hot new rapper of 2006, Lupe's "Push-Shove" has become an instant classic. This is your chance to see a guy who is gonna last a long time when he is just starting out.
3. Eskimo Joe The boys from Perth have really come of age with their latest release, "Black Fingernails, Red Wine". A successful run at this Big Day Out will cement them in the upper-echelon of Australian music.4. Muse These guys have a huge fan base, and deservedly so. Their latest album, "Black Holes and Revelations", is quite possibly their best. These guys are sure to be the consumate professionals live.
5. The Killers Fast becoming a Triple M favourite, the Killers are hard rock at its best
6. My Chemical Romance Regardless of whether or not you like the whole emo thing, these guys are certain to go off in a big way.
7. Hilltop Hoods 2003's The Calling, established the Hilltop Hoods as the premier Australian Hip Hop outfit. Their lastest release, The Hard Road, has elevated them to being one of Australia's best bands period. Definately not a band to watch fro the nosebleed section8. Jet Two years ago they were the golden boys of Australian rock. Two years on they have returned with a strong second album, and the experience of a world tour behind them. Let's see exactly how much they learnt.
9. Chrystal Method DJs IMHO the pick of the Boiler Room this year. The Chrystal Method have been on the scene a long time and know exactly what's expected of them.
10. The Violent Femmes They may be well and truly past their prime, but everyone will be singing along to Blister in the Sun
Big Day Out 2007
Where: Auckland, Gold Coast (sold out), Sydney (sold out), Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth
When: January 19 - February 4 2007
Cost: $115 + bf
Lineup: Tool (USA), Muse (England), The Killers (USA), Peaches (Canada), Violent Femmes (USA), My Chemical Romance (USA), Spank Rock (USA), The Streets (UK), Kasabian (UK), Crystal Method DJs (USA), Justice (France), Trivium (USA), John Cooper Clarke (UK), Afra & the Incredible Beatbox Band (Japan), Lily Allen (UK), Lupe Fiasco (USA), Diplo (USA), Jet, Eskimo Joe, Scribe (NZ), The Sleepy Jackson, Evermore (NZ), The Herd, The Spazzys, John Butler Trio, Something For Kate, You Am I, Little Birdy, The Presets, Bob Evans, The Drones, The Butterfly Effect, Love Tattoo, Shapeshifter (New Zealand)
Official Site
The Premiere Australian music festival with the strongest lineup in years. As many in the Gold Coast and Sydney have found out, this is not the year to be slack about your Big Day Out tickets.
The Falls Festival 2006
Where: Marion Bay, Tasmania (sold out), Lorne Victoria (sold out)
When: December 30 - 31 2006
Cost: $128 + bf
Lineup: Modest Mouse (USA), Michael Franti & Spearhead (USA), Wolfmother, The Bees (UK), John Butler Trio, Hilltop Hoods, Eskimo Joe, Scribe (NZ), Saul Williams (USA), The Sleepy Jackson, The Mountain Goats (USA), You Am I, The Black Seeds (NZ), Little Birdy, Matt Costa (USA), The Audreys, Youth Group, Jamie Lidell, Josh Pyke, Blue King Brown, The Exploders, Jen Cloher & the Endless Sea, Dan Sultan, Dexter, M Ward (USA), The Custom Kings, Cansei De Ser Sexy (Brazil), Dan Kelly & the Alpha Males, The Vasco Era, Wolf & Cub, Tim Curran (USA), FourPlay, Dallas Frasca, Muph & Plutonic, Ground Components, LABJACD
Official Site
There's nothing like driving home from Lorne on January 1 with only a few hours sleep. This one sold out fast and will be when hell of a News Years Bash
Good Vibrations 2007
Where: Melbourne, Gold Coast, Sydney, Perth, Singapore
When: February 10 - 19 2007
Cost: $128 + bf
Lineup: Beastie Boys (USA), Jurassic 5 (USA), Timo Maas (Germany), Rahzel (USA), Cassius (France), Thunderball, Ursula 1000, London Elektricity, Nightmares On Wax (England), DJ Dan, Kraak & Smaak (Netherlands), Desyn Masiello (UK), Cicada, Cut Copy, Fort Knox 5, JS-1, DJ Yoda (UK)
Official Site
Sure to be the summer's dance party. Get down to some funky beats at Good Vibrations.
Homebake 2006
Where: The Domain, Sydney (sold out)
When: December 2 2006
Cost: $75 + bf
Lineup: Silverchair, Eskimo Joe, Hilltop Hoods, Scribe (NZ), Gotye, You Am I, Youth Group, Bjorn Again, The Butterfly Effect, The Presets, Models, Bob Evans, Toni Collette & the Finish, Little Birdy, Infusion, Midnight Juggernauts, Kid Kenobi & MC Shureshock, Parkway Drive, Augie March, Angus & Julia Stone, Something For Kate, The Vines, Wolf & Cub, British India, Children Collide, Red Riders, Something With Numbers, N'FA, Jen Cloher & the Endless Sea, Ground Components, Macromantics, The Valentinos, Mountains in the Sky, Die! Die! Die! (NZ), Tucker B's, Tom Cooney, The Basics, The Vaine, Whiskey Go Gos, Young & Restless
Official Site
Silverchair make their return at the premiere showcase for Australian music, that this year sold-out in record time. The success of Homebake is a testament to Australian music.
St Jerome's Laneway Festival
Where: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
When: February 24 - March 4 2006
Cost: $72.50 + bf
Lineup: Yo La Tengo (USA) supported by triple j Peter, Bjorn & John (Sweden), Love is All (Sweden), Camera Obscura (Scotland), Fionn Regan (Ireland), Archie Bronson Outfit (England), The Walkmen, The Sleepy Jackson, Youth Group, Temper Trap, Midnight Juggernauts, Ground Components, Macromantics
Official Site
St Jerome's laneway festical started three summers ago in Melbourne. Last summer it spread to Sydney, and now it heaps on Brisbane as it's third city. Basically it's a street party, taking over an entire street including the businesses therein. Punters can sit in a cafe or bar and enjoy some of their favourite acts.