Live Review: Big Day Out 2013

Live Review: Big Day Out 2013 That time of the year again then. When your liver has just about recovered from the debaucheries of the festive season and a bank holiday weekend arrives where you can smash it into oblivion once more. Yes, Australia Day. That action-packed bumper weekend when the land down under celebrates being the finest nation on Planet Earth. You can do it on a beach, in a park or from the comfort of your own home. Yet for many in Melbourne there was only one place to spend it; Big Day Out.

The floral patterned shirts were out in numbers and if you could avoid slumbering into an hypnotic stupor you could be fooled into thinking the four onstage had not just sneaked up there. With straggly long hair and skinny jeans, The Medics could easily have passed as punters. As it transpired the occasion seemed to overawe them, the exuberance was evident in spades and they looked stoked simply to be there.

Those of troubled ears pay attention. On record, Jagwar Ma seems mellow enough. Live, the three-piece are a different beast altogether. It happens sometimes, just make sure you bring protection. Akin to stepping back into the Madchester summer of 1991, their set throbbed with gigantic Hacienda beats draped over with Jono Ma’s piercing, longing vocals.

Oh look, there’s a guitarist. Wait. Hang on. What is he doing in the crowd? That’ll be Jake Orrall, lead singer and chief orchestrator of the rowdy din that Jeff The Brotherhood concoct. Lazy comparisons can easily be made with The Black Keys; a duo, down and dirty rock ‘n’ roll, yadda yadda yet Dan Auerbach did co-produce their latest album. Figures.

Occasionally festival organisers get their scheduling spot on. Like gaudy yellow vests on Australia Day, there are few greater match-ups than a sunshine drenched late afternoon slot and Vampire Weekend. With the biggest crowd of the day drawn so far their heady brand of sugary, smart guitar pop turned the Orange Stage into the largest indie disco ever assembled. From the spunky opener Cousins to the rumbling Afro-beats of Giving Up The Gun and peppy closer Walcott their time in the sun was gone all too soon.

As one of the more hyped up acts performing Alabama Shakes did well simply to avoid being overawed by a crowd eager to see what all the fuss was about. The Green Stage was full to bursting and early sound troubles aside it was all about lead singer Brittany Howard and her honey soaked Southern infused soulful drawl. For a band on their first trip down under they made it look almost too easy. Switching from rockabilly to Americana to the blues, this already had the makings of a classic set. What do you mean they only have one album out?

What every festival needs is a bit of bite and some healthy competition. Two huge bands. Only one headliner set. Just who will triumph? The night was drawing in and the masses were glazed enough to demand the hits. Then you have The Killers who were only too happy to oblige. Opening with Mr Brightside was a ballsy move yet that masked over the hit laden arsenal the band can call upon. Smile Like You Mean It, Spaceman, Miss Atomic Bomb all ready to fire with the gusto of a band that deep down knew they should be headlining. Drop in a few crowd-pleasers including a refrain of Waltzing Matilda and a cover of Melbourne’s own Crowded House with Don’t Dream It’s Over and you have the gauntlet thrown in the direction of California’s finest.

Red Hot Chilli Peppers had their work cut out and the early signs were not encouraging. Instead of the hits they opted for the slow-burner route opening with lukewarm single Monarchy of Roses. Which is fine but dropping in a cover of David Bowie’s What In The World so early might work in your own gig but not at a festival. Guitar solo love-ins and bass noodling only made matters worse until they realised they might have to bring out the big guns. Gradually they worked their way back with the likes of Can’t Stop, Under The Bridge and a barnstorming Californication. Alas, their encore proved they had not learnt their lesson with only the irresistible funk of Give It Away to redeem them. Well, that’s one way to spend Australia Day anyway.

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