After an amazing array of highlights the night before, it seems while sitting around the campsite that today is more of a 'hump day' with a less attractive line up for the day. Still, people splash water on their faces in between cramming down expensive hangover food from the festival and gear up for the day ahead.
The day officially starts over at the Mclennan as Drones front man and solo performer in his own right Gareth Liddiard takes to the stage armed only with an acoustic guitar, mic, a whole lotta wit and a bag full of amazing tunes. The power from Liddiard's voice sends shivers down your spine as he croons and sets up very concise imagery within his music. I struggled to come to terms as to which was better, his music or his banter as the man charms the crowd with tales behind his songs and substituted spelling for words such as Cucking and Funt. He delves mainly into tracks off solo album, Strange Tourist with the roommate inspired title track Blondin Makes an Omelette being a stand out. Liddiard takes note of the tasteless electro spewing from the mix up tent competing with his sound and does a rather good impression of the noise in between tales of hot plates and cocaine use. With the crowd filling up for the lacklustre flavour of the month following the genius, the man finishes with a Drones track 'Jezebel' (appropriate) and before that sums up the festival this year by saying "If I was in charge of booking this festival, I sure as fuck wouldn't book me!". Amazing set!
Ducking out for a morning mint drink following Liddiard, I arrive back to the McLennan (to satisfy my younger companions) to see current 'in' Australian kids, The Jezabels. A packed tent sees the crowd spill out onto the hill and down the road as more and more shirtless punters cram themselves in. Taking to the stage lead singer, who looks more like she is auditioning for a role in the new Twilight film rather than fronting a power pop Australian fashion accessory. Upon the start of tasteless members of the crowd hold up signs declaring 'Bitchz ain't shit' and 'Yeah Boi", I retreat to the hill realising this was not for me before 'Get ya tits out' is yelled. Hayley Mary's voice is reasonably solid however at points during the set becomes infringing over the poorly mixed sound, not that anyone in the crowd seemed to have noticed. Hurt Me and whatever else they have churned out seem to have pleased the masses and I'm sure the set will be talked about for a long time over the Triple J forums.
Re-emerging back into the festival after an extended break due to the timetable showing nothing worthwhile, I take charge to the Amphitheatre for The Mars Volta. This marks the sixth time I have seen the band and they always seem to impress with their sprawling musical constructs. This time however, was something different. After their first track, vocalist Cedric declares that we are the test audience for the bands new material as they launch into a set consisting of roughly six lengthy brand new tracks… And they are brilliant! Some of the bands best work since Amputecture and the band themselves seem to never have been more alive with Cedric hurling himself around the stage and climbing amps as Omar orchestrates the musical section of the group. The crowd are generally also drawn in as to what is on offer and seem to be enjoying the new material. The band does delve into some older material to wrap up the set with Intertiatric ESP off De-Loused proving to be a notable highlight. Watch the group in the coming months as the new (delayed) album is going to be something special and a return to days passed.
Procrastination caused me to miss Gomez… Fuck!
I was forced to ditch hopes of seeing Regina Spector as the drunken masses descend upon the McLennan making hopes of getting anywhere near the stage nigh on impossible. I then decided to attend Janes Addiction and on my way to the Amphitheatre I grew worried of a repeat performance of the situation at McLennan… However upon arrival there were more people at Perry Farrell’s discussion earlier in the day. The Amphitheatre was veritable ghost towns as Farrell and co. deliver an amazing performance worthy of their headline billing. The stage show, lighting, everything (Even gooch Dave Navaro) was excellent as the band play tracks off their upcoming new album and old classics. For the few that were there about half were tremendously appreciative of what was on show where as the other half seemed to have amazingly passed out on mid-strength pure blonde. The band finish with the steel drum led Jane Says to thunderous applause by the people that gave a shit.
A good sign of the quality of people at the festival as the packed mix up tent spewed out gimmicky music that people got into via the Dairy Farmers milk ad, while Jane's Addiction played an excellent show to about the same number of people in Kanye's entourage. If I was Jane's Addiction I would have walked off stage and vowed never to come back to the country… Still there is one day left...
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