The Edge Magazine

Big Day Out 2010

2010-01-23T00:55:00.000-08:00

Humans are a curious species. I'm sure numerous people are perplexed by the idea of thousands of people cramming together under the smoldering sun, sharing dirt and sweat, as they bounce in unison to eardrum-shatteringly loud music. But do that they do, and evidently enjoy every second. The Big Day Out festival tour is in full swing, hitting Sydney on Friday January 22nd, and Saturday the 23rd. With temperatures expected to hit at least 40 degrees on the Friday, eager punters fought the sun, sweat and overwhelming desire to wilt in the shade, to support their favourite acts.

Crowd favourites BLUEJUICE had a relatively early set, in the heat of the midday sun, but they didn't let just a little bit of warmth put a damper on their set. Their relentless enthusiasm no doubt encouraged the thousands that flocked to the Blue Stage into a singing, jumping frenzy. They put on a fantastic performance, assisted by an enormous inflatable dancing lizard, as they belted out catchy, energetic track after catchy, energetic track from their new album Head Of The Hawk, and older hits including Vitriol.

Following immediately on from Bluejuice were Western Australian rockers KARNIVOOL. Taking the afternoon in a slightly different direction from the lighthearted electro-pop Bluejuice, Karnivool once again had the sweltering crowd singing, jumping, and banging heads in a euphoric sweat-soaked mosh pit. Even those who weren't familiar with, or fans of Karnivool but were in the vicinity found themselves drawn into the atmosphere radiating from the stage.

The Converse Essential Stage and neighbouring Green Stage played host to dozens more noteworthy acts, including THE TEMPER TRAP, who entranced fans with Dougie's soaring vocals and the band's effortless melodies. PASSION PIT succeeded in arousing crowds with their upbeat, electric tunes.

More Western Australians, ESKIMO JOE, followed on back on the main Orange Stage with a magical set, allowing crowds to chill for just a minute and absorb the ambience and atmosphere of the Big Day out. These guys always manage to exceed expectations, with outstanding sound quality and an entrancing aura following them whenever they step on stage.

Aussie icons THE HILLTOP HOODS put on yet another spectacular show back at the Blue Stage, drawing in crowds from the vicinity, and holding them hostage as they blasted through hit after hit after hit, playing crowd favourites and their biggest tracks from their array of albums. The inner singer awoke within even the most reserved punters as the Hoods hipped and hopped the afternoon away.

The aptly-named Boiler Room hosted many exciting bands and DJs, including an awesome set by THE MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS, accompanied by a super laser light show, and the UKs CALVIN HARRIS. By the time Calvin Harris began, the enormous room was packed to bursting, and the air was stifling- with anticipation for his performance, and with the excruciating heat that, even by 7pm, refused to disappear. He certainly didn't disappoint, once again churning the crowds into an excited, bouncing frenzy.

Aussie headliners POWDERFINGER proved beyond a doubt why they're one of Australia's most loved, and most stable bands. Tens of thousands of punters flocked to the main stadium, filling the stands and the 'D', in a giant Powderfinger singalong.

Following on from Powderfinger were one of the stand-out acts, and BDO headliners MUSE. Their set was brilliant, as they blasted out to a crammed-to-capacity stadium tracks from their most recent album The Resistance, and old favourites, accompanied by what can only be described as a laser light show on speed. Crowds went wild when they invited JET vocalist Nic Cester onto the stage for an astonishing rendition of AC/DCs Back In Black. After the slightly more reserved Powderfinger set, Muse's electric powerhouse of a performance provided a worthy end to the festival for the numerous punters that didn't stick around to see GROOVE ARMADA playing a little later in the night.

Of course, the day would not have been possible without the generous assistance of the numerous BDO crew handing out water at the front of every stage. The liquid gold that flowed freely from their palms was a life-saver for many a visitor to the Big Day Out. Providing much needed fluids for the rapidly dehydrating, those guys and girls deserve more than just a pat on the back. Without them, I've no doubt there would have been many more patients for the paramedics.

Miami Horror Bringing It All

2009-11-15T15:25:00.000-08:00

In honour of their latest single and debut album scheduled for release next year, on Friday night Melbourne originating electro act Miami Horror took the stage at Sydney's overflowing Oxford Art Factory. Following an awesome performance by indie rockers The Dirty Secrets, the four-piece live band that was originally the brain-child of producer Benjamin Plant rapidly brought the crowd to their feet – particularly with their most well-known song from their 2008 EP, Don’t be on with Her – and within minutes the floor had become a jumping, dancing frenzy of skinny jeans, flying alcohol and artfully tousled hair styles. Already drumming up international success with their remixes, based on the electric success of their live show, Miami Horror’s debut record is definitely one to look out for.

Adrian Deutsch Helping Himself

2009-11-15T11:42:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday the inherently trendy patrons of Sydney’s Oxford Arts saw a uniquely soulful performance by local singer/songwriter Adrian Deutsch (formally of Indie favourites Red Riders). Accompanied by an awesome set band, Deutsch, looking like the enigmatic love-child of Art Garfunkle and Bob Dylan, delivered a consistently powerful selection of songs from his debut album Help You! to an extremely receptive and increasing audience. Aside from his songs being beautifully poetic (particularly his self-accompanied ones), Deutsch has such a warm and inviting stage presence as he quite literally frolics across the stage, that he is really very joyful to watch live.

Keep an eye out for Adrian as he continues to belt out fantastic tracks, including ever-popular The Partisan and namesake of his solo debut, Help You! The record is in stores now, so go out and grab a copy if you want to hear the whimsical, passionate melodies of this emerging solo performer.

Supporting Adrian Deutsch was the eclectic but very enjoyable Canvas Kites and a (condensed) Fergus Brown, who gave a stellar performance despite missing his band.

10th July – All Night Sun Light Tour – Oxford Arts Factory

2009-07-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Last Friday’s gig at the Oxford Arts Factory was electric. Literally.

The Triple J supported All Night Sun Light show started off with a stellar performance by newly relocated Perth band The Dirty Secrets, whose Van She/Killer-esque synth-pop sounds successfully drove the already impressive crowd into a pogo-jumping, drink-spilling frenzy.

By the time Wollongong electronica band Infusion took the stage, there was no-where to stand that didn’t involve getting danced on. Performing to a room crammed full of people who all seemed to know the lyrics to every single Infusion song, the band certainly didn’t disappoint, playing songs from their three records – including this year’s new release, All Night Sunlight, which shows the band taking a slight detour into the dance side of electronic. Needless to say, the crowd was delighted, and of course, Anna and I would like to pay our respects to the deeply committed, elbow-flailing middle aged man at the front, and the more-than-slightly inebriated screaming woman who if nothing else, made taking photographs an exciting challenge.

As a lover of all things electro, I think that the tour is clearly winning the hearts of established fans and the newly-converted alike – both bands certainly know how to put on a show. Although I would say my favourite set of the night was by the Dirty Secrets; now is definitely a revolutionary time for electro, and The Dirty Secrets have a sound that would make the likes of Cut Copy and Klaxons take notice.

The All Night Sun Light tour continues around Australia for the rest of this month. See it if you can.

By Louisa Andrews.
Photos by Anna Bolton.

The Dirty Secrets

The Dirty Secrets

Infusion had crowds pumped and raring for more

Infusion

Infusion

Yves Klein Blue- The Ragged & Ecstatic Tour

2009-07-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

July 4th saw Brisbane band Yves Klein Blue take to the stage of Sydney’s Oxford Art Factory. The gig, which is one of many in their national Ragged & Ecstatic tour to promote the launch of their debut album, was, in a word, great. The line spilling out onto Oxford Street gave some indication as to the bands popularity, with fans eager to get in and nab a good spot in front of the stage.

Support act Philadelphia Grand Jury (The Philly Jays to their friends), helped warm up the crowds by belting out some favourites like ‘I Am Going To Kill You’ and ‘Casino’, before wrapping up with ‘I Don’t Want To Party Party (But I’m going to ‘cause she’s fantastic)’. Labelled by some as Sydney’s best new live band, the Philly Jays had the room jumping and thumping (joined at the end by Berkfinger after leaping dramatically off the stage into, nay, ONTO the crowd), and by the time their set ended, the hot, eager faces below were more than ready for YKB to hit the stage.

And hit the stage they did. Where a lot of bands struggle to deliver a good live set, Yves Klein Blue deliver the whole package. They have a contagious energy, on-stage charm and the ability to blast out great tracks- tracks that sound just as good live as they do coming out of your speakers.

Being able to pump out song after song of fresh, lively rock with a scent of folk here, a shimmer of punk there, is a feat in itself, though the boys certainly aren’t hindered by their on-stage charm and roguish good looks. The atmosphere was electric, with hundreds of beaming faces seeming to feed the energy of the performers. There was certainly no lack of enthusiasm from either crowd or band.

The night saw them play just about all of the new album, as well as a couple of songs from their EP, Draw Attention To Themselves, and a great cover of Bruce Springsteen’s Born To Run. The pace slowed for a minute while vocalist Michael Tomlinson took to the stage alone with the acoustic About The Future, before stepping things right back up again. Favourites Polka (you'd probably know it from the Mitsubishi Lancer ad- where people throw stuff out of the window onto a trampoline then into the back of a car), and Getting Wise, had the audience joining in enthusiastically.

If you’ve had a chance to hear Yves Klein Blue’s debut album Ragged & Ecstatic, you’ll have some idea of what crowds are in for with the tour. And as impressive as the album is, the guys REALLY step up to the plate when they set foot on stage- their live shows are tight, energetic and deeply and intimately charismatic.

Look out for an interview with front man Michael Tomlinson in the July issue of THE EDGE.

If you haven’t already got a copy, Ragged & Ecstatic can be found in Leading Edge music stores around the country.

-Anna Bolton

IN THIS ISSUE JUNE 2009

2009-07-02T19:39:00.000-07:00

THE EDGE is Australia’s only music and entertainment magazine distributed free in every state and territory through the Leading Edge Music retail stores, Australia’s largest network of independently owned and operated music retailers.

INTERVIEWS with Sarah Blasko, Carl Risley, White Lies, Henry Wagon, Karl Broadie and Paula Steel from Royal Treatment Plant.

STORIES & REVIEWS on Simon & Garfunkel, Splendour In The Grass, The Grates, Bertie Blackman, Disgrace the movie and more.

REGULAR COLUMNS & REPORTS by Lucy Vader, Barry Bissell, Andrew G, Jono and Dano, Denning Isles, Matt Brodtke, Anna Bolton, Louisa Andrews, Kate Leaver, Nikki Friedli, Stephanie Yip, Andy Glitre and Grace Harris-Galbraith.

THE EDGE is Australia’s only music & entertainment magazine distributed free in every state and territory through Leading Edge Music retail stores, Australia’s largest network of independently owned and operated music retailers as well as other selected outlets.

THE EDGE covers a wide range of music genres including, pop, rock, country, classical, jazz, soul, r’n b, dance, hip hop as well as tours, DVD, film, console and computer gaming, technology and online sites.

Each issue features a mix of local and international interviews, profiles, feature articles and reviews covering CDs, DVDs, film, gaming and entertainment. We have a broad range of music industry writers and enthusiastic reviewers including specialist music retailers who deal with their retail customers every day.

Regular columnists include Andrew G (Take 40 Australia), Barry Bissell (Cover to Cover) and Jonathon Coleman (My Generation) from MCM Entertainment, adding truly diverse and informed musical and popular culture viewpoints.

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