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TIPI BAR VS LOUNGE BAR
8:30pm, Sun 24.07
Diary: Ronan Sharkey (Hack Reporter)
Evening time at Splendour, and time to have a roam. There's a big contrast in the atmospheres at the side-venues where people play before the next main act. On one side of site is the Splendour lounge bar. On the other is the Tipi circle. The lounge bar is ike going out in the cty. The Tipi circle is the bush rave. The two places look very different. One is a two storey tent decked out like a club including the bar backlit glowing orange. The other is backed by spotlit gum trees. One is an enclosure of Indian tipis swirling with projections of bright lava. The lounge crowd worships the DJ, the tipi crowd dances under giant red lips hanging overhead.
In the lounge you have to show your wrist strap to get in, there's podium dancing, lots of boys with shirts off, and a fair bit of light so we can all see each other. I was even made to wait to go up the stairs, until other people came down. Just like home. Across the mud and the plastic mats to the tipi, there's more clothes, people dance in little circles within the circle, electro Indians surrounded by the Indie rock cavalry and refusing to come out and nod to a guitar band.
For Splendour bloggers the night's coming to crunch time. Everyone's priming for how they'll finish. Moby? Hilltop? Maybe some doof under the stars or jump on the podium and strut it baby. |
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PATIENCE IN THE AFTERLIFE
7:15pm, Sun 24.07
Diary: Patience, John and Alana from The Grates
To Dear triple j listeners,
[Patience:] I can't find the rest of my band but I feel like things in my life are just starting to come together. I boogied down to Interpol like I have have never boogied down before. And I could have almost slit my wrists. Actually, my sub-conscious could have slit my wrists! Now I'm in the afterlife, I feel at peace. Tonight I am feeling this amazing sense of ...I am feeling someghing I have never felt before. Our band is so straight! I have never felt this way in my life. This feeling in my heart is so strong. I saw Interpol and creamed my guts out!
I am actually a little bit sad that I have to wait another year for Splendour. Such a shame. But, I did get to go to happpy hour, which was free for a couple of hours, and I managed to scam 3 drinks instead of 2! The guy made me some wild cocktails.
If it's not a full mooon tonight, I don't know what it would be like if there was a full moon. In my heart, I feel like it's a full moon. If my band isn't as enthusiastic as I am, I will fight them!
[John:] WHAT? so we found Patience after all these years. Alana and I went to the toilet and came out and everyone was gone? We went to the triple j tent trying to work business out for ourselves and were treated like fools! ps this is John. Also, Patience got in this big HUUGE fight with Bloc Party. not really but kinda. i got the 1st massage of my life in this "artist" area and it was fairly sweet. maybe I could get another one twice a month. plus i got to catch up with friends I never see in the real life and see bands that i only dream about seeing. like interpol. and for a second i was standing really close to the bass player, and really trying to keep my cool, but i did squeal for a second. Alana?
[Alana:]
...............
OK, that's it from The Grates. |
priscilla (2nd from left) finds a new best friend, Patience from the Grates
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FINN REVIEWS DOWNSYDE, BLOC PARTY AND DOVES
6:30pm, Sun, 24.07
Festivals are a a strange beast. You wander around with 10,000 of your closest mates, generally losing track of everyone you're meant to be hanging out with. But, somehow, everything always works out in the end. At Splendour, the vibe is so engrossingly friendly that you regain faith in humanity. Last night, I managed to lose track of just about everyone I was here with, but ended up at an after-party with apparently every card-carrying member of Sydney's fashionista set on a house overlooking the bay. See - everything works out in the end.
It also helps that the array of musical talent on display is mind-blowingly good. Yesterday, the surprise packet for me was Perth's Downsyde. As tight a hip-hop outift as there is in Australia, their smooth flow had the Mix Up Tent grooving. And later on Dexter produced the inventive and booty-shaking tunes that have become his trademark.
Now, I've never really bought into the whole rock revivalist notion - it never really went away, to my mind. But, if you need evidence that rock's as strong as ever, check out The Doves or Bloc Party. Both created a wall of sound that roots you to the spot, before lifting you up on soaring guitars. The main tent was packed out for both, but the crowd was frantic for the Bloc Party, with every song greeted by a roar of recognition.
I'm off now to check out Interpol, and looking forward to the Hilltop Hoods, with their star turn at the One Night Stand fresh in my mind. But whatever happens, you know everything will work out in the end. After all, last night I finished the evening watching one of Splendour's headline acts asking women to cut the fingers off his gloves. And you don't see that every night. |
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A CHICK'S PERSPECTIVE OF INTERPOL
6:00pm, Sun 24.07
Review: Sam Clode, jmag
Carlos D has really white skin. Packed with pancake, the gothic pallor of Interpol's bassist is pretty disconcerting, especially when you're squished into the back of a Tarago with him. I guess it's a look that works for young Mr D, but it's kinda weird when you know you're sitting next to a man who probably spends more money on make-up than you do. Quiet and polite, I suspect that Carlos is, however, a party machine waiting to go off - which, he coolly suggests, may well be witnessed later tonight at the official Splendour after-party.
Drummer Sam F, meanwhile, is a rather talkative chap who looks very good in red (this music ed's favourite shade). The dude can drum like a bastard, and happily admits that while he can't wait to hit the stage for Splendour, playing their own show is a bigger deal. He's also squashed into the backseat with jmag, and we're all being filmed for jtv. The band have only been on site for 30 mins but already look better dressed than any other group backstage. He says they're hitting the town tonight and dancefloor action may take place. I like Sam. Top name.
Daniel Kessler is kinda smaller in person but pretty damn friendly it seems, and he's giving Robbie Buck a few words at the OB desk. You can tell this guy is a pro 'cause there's no moodiness and he looks like he ironed his clothes. jmag doesn't get to talk to him, but that's ok 'cause we're really here to perve anyway. So are at least four other female staffers. Thumbs up. (Who says we don't know what the important aspects of triple j OBs are?)
Lead singer Paul Banks, complete with orange juice cocktail, black hat & mirror sunnies, doesn't say too much to Robbie, but he looks pretty god damn hot. Who needs words anyway? Paul, you're a close second in the 'hottest man at Splendour' awards (as anyone who knows this writer can attest it's Josh Homme who takes that cake).
It's still 30 mins until the band go on (Butterfingers are now hitting the stage). Time for another cocktail and to see if Craig Reucassel is drunk yet.
PS: Chris Scaddan, triple j's Program Manager, just visited the urinal & found himself alongside Paul Banks. Sadly, he has nothing to report. s
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P-MONEY TELLS US ABOUT HIS FIRST SPLENDOUR PERFORMANCE
5:00pm, Sun 24.07
Diary: P-Money
wow, here i am after my first splendour performance! Gotta say it was a lotta fun. Ive had a hectic weekend flying in from auckland to perth on friday, playing there on friday and staurday night and then catching the red-eye flight across to gold coast via sydney and then driving over to Byron just in time for my set! What a mission, but it was well worth it. Gotta say i was feeling a little exhausted before i began but once the crowd pored in to the tent it was awesome. My friends Con-Psy and PNC are here with me, they opened up the set with their tracks from my album "Magic City" and then i proceeded to do my thing on the turntables and get the crowd rocking. it was fantastic and we were all amped on how well the performance was received. So now I finally understand what all the fuss is about surrounding Splendour, its a wicked little festival in the grass! - P-Money - Dirty Records - Magic City! |
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MATTHEW AND MARK FROM AFTER THE FALL
4:00pm, Sun 24.07
Diary: After the Fall
MATTHEW: It's our first time at Splendour. We flew up from Sydney on Friday, but we almost had to leave Mark behind! There was some mix up with the tickets. It was bloody great to fly up here. Usually we're crammed into a touring van. One thing you might not know about After The Fall is that our touring van is not petrol-fuelled - it's runs on Mark's lit farts! It's foul.
We haven't really seen many acts play, but we did see 15mins of The Living End, who were awesome.
MARK: Yeah, they were great. I'm really looking forward to Bloc Party. Definitely want to catch them play! The festival has a cruisy, holiday feel - good market, and beautiful scenery. It's all about the vibe and the serenity.
It was a great feeling when we were playing on stage. The tent's bloody huge! I was a bit scared going on stage, but the crowd was very relaxed - probably too relaxed for our liking! We need more interaction with the crowd - we like to see them jumping around, and shit. I think that perhaps we played a bit early and everyone was just coming down off their drugs! The Beautiful Girls are more suited to this vibe, I think.
This is our last show of our "Road To Splendour", so now we can kick back a bit. This afternoon, I think I'll just be sampling a few tasty coronas! Perhaps I'll get a free massage, too! |
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CHRIS DROPS BY THE TRIPLE J BROADCAST
3:30pm, Sun 24.07
Review: Chris Taylor from Today Today
This is my first Splendour ever, and I'm really glad I came. All the rumours are true - it really is a unique, amazing festival. Loved catching the Futureheads yesterday. And Decoder Ring and Sarah Blasko also put in really strong sets. Ryan Adams was bitterly disappointing. I'm not sure what was going on with him, but his heart just didn't seem in it. He had a really negative attitude towards his audience, and seemed intent on blaming technicians for the own deficiencies of his performance. It actually became embarrassing after a while, but at least it gave everyone a talking point.
Can't wait to catch Doves, Bloc Party, Interpol and the Finn Brothers tonight. Had a very bizarre experience this morning walking along Watego's Beach, just beneath the Byron Lighthouse. I noticed these three guys with trendy haircuts and English accents wading in the surf - squealing like girls at how cold the water was. As I got a little closer, I noticed it was the guys from Bloc Party, doing a bit of sight seeing. Was quite incongruous seeing them walk along a beach, playing in the waves like young children.
Can't imagine Ryan Adams doing that. He'd be far too cool and precious for that. Although must admit, it was a thrill to get to interview Adams backstage just before his set last night. We had a good chat about his songwriting routine, the new album, and future projects - in an interview which I imagine we'll put to air sometime next week, perhaps on Kingsmill's 2005 program.
Until then, have a great Splendour Weekender. Catch you again soon, Chris.
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ROSIE TELLS ALL
3:15pm, Sun 24.07
Diary: Rosie Beaton, from Super Request
hello web queens 'n kings! Rosie here! I'm having a sensational time at Splendour. I am a Splendour virgin,and out of the numerous amount of music festivals I have witnessed, this one is so full of atmosphere and smiles. All the punters here are in for the long loud splenerous haul. It was very dark last night and I had a fun time navigating the festival grounds. We had a 9 hour road trip here (aaahhhh) that was fun. When I got here I saw the Living End and as always they worked the crowd into a lively workout. They played all the hits in the Super Top and then I saw Queens Of The Stone Age again after seeing their show last week. Josh Homme is a brilliant musician and easy on the eye too! My favourite tune was `Everybody knows that your insane' and lost art of keeping a secret. I also caught a bit of After The Fall, who played a tight set, as always.
I had a massive night last night and
ended up at a bikey bar for a dance,
so I'm a bit fragile today and trying
to type is testing my motor skills.
It is a bit wet here ground wise but
not too uncomfortable and I have shoes
on that I will happily trash.
I really enjoyed the Tipi Circle (bit of an outdoor doof dance club) the beats are pumping and nobody cares what your interpretation of dancing is!!! hehehehhe
Might get a corn on the cob and go and see Caribou as I love the cd and apparently the stage visuals are insane and magical.
love to you all Rosiex |
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THE SECRET IS 'SPLENDOUR PACING'
1:00pm, Sun 24.07
Craig Reucassel from Today Today
The biggest challenge at Spledour is pacing. Two days and 12 hours of music each day is hard enough. Chuck in a cocktail of booze, drugs and everything you could ever hope to buy made of tofu and it gets even harder. Visiting the some of the camp sites on Saturday the tents were littered with the bodies of those who hadn't quite nailed the balance. Three in the afternoon on the first day, haven't seen a band yet and they were passed out. Maybe it was the red wine and coke mixed together in a esky, ready to dunk your plastic cup into. Maybe it was the misleadingly named beer bongs. Maybe it was just an attempt to avoid the drinks queues by skulling everything you bought over breakfast.
Then there were those that paced the day better, so that even after the finale of either Queens or Scribe, and even after an hour walk back to town they were just getting warmed up. As thousands of Splendour fans poured into the town centre you could tell that the few Splendour-ignorant retirees who had come to Byron for a facial and a life coaching session at the wellness centre were in for a tough night.
Despite the late night efforts by midday on Sunday there are massive queues outside the unopened gates. The early numbers are a testament to The Grates starting the day off at the ridiculously early time of 12:15. The supertop is packed for this early in the day and despite technical hassles Patience, John and Alana are like a double shot of coffee for the morning. Worth the early rise the day has started welll. Now for the pacing. Red wine and coke from the esky before lunch? Mmmm???
Craig
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SPLENDOUR DAY 2!
12:00pm, Sun, 24.07
So we are all set up for the triple j broadcast, and everyone is really excited about today's line up. The Grates just played and everyone thought not only is Patience hot, but they were one of the best bands to play so far! |
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