The indie girl’s guide to…All Tomorrow’s Parties @ Cockatoo Island
All Tomorrow’s Parties
Cockatoo Island, Sydney
Sydney Festival
Sunday, 18th January, 2009
For me and every other gig-going, music lovin’ fan I know, All Tomorrow’s Parties was always this very cool, mythical event that took place far, far away with impossibly brilliant line-ups curated by equally amazing artists. So when the very first Australian ATP’s were announced last year it was very exciting indeed.
The Sydney event was held on Cockatoo Island as part of Sydney Festival. It was curated by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and was a one day event repeated over two days (Sat 17th and Sun 18th January). I went to the Sunday show, which from all accounts didn’t sell as well and was no where near as busy as the Saturday show.
The day began with the ferry ride to get to the island itself, and what a beautiful Sydney day it was. Sun shining, blue skies…picture perfect.
Sydney Opera House taken from the boat on the way there
I’d been to Cockatoo Island once previously with my family, and we had a guided tour of the island. So the tunnels and old machinery lying about the place weren’t new to me, but the island in the context of a music festival was.
Cockatoo Island Entrance
View from the Barracks Stage out over Sutherland Dock
On the upper part of the island was the Barracks Stage and first up were Hunter Dienna. A guy and a girl, with a couple of band members roped in (according to the program). Throughout the day I will grow to love the program, as it explains to me what music I am about to see or try to decipher what I have just seen.
Hunter Dienna at the Barracks Stage
Then to the main stage to begin the day’s proceedings there with the always captivating Bridezilla. Yes they were musically captivating, but as a band with four girls (and a guy) you can always count on them to be visually captivating too. Lead singer Holiday didn’t disappoint with a white leotard outfit accompanied by a matching hat. Very cute.
Next up we saw all-girl-Melbourne-indie-supergroup Beaches. This was the first time I had really heard them, as I’d pretty much just read about them prior to this. They announced they were all still hungover from the previous night (and fair enough they were playing at the un-rock n roll time of 1pm). Beaches = Sprawling noise, lots of fuzz, lots of guitars, lots of jamming. I liked it (but then again I really love Love of Diagrams and any project with Antonia (the lead singer from LoD) would always hold my interest.
Beaches
The girl-centric afternoon continued with Afrirampo – a female, Japanese duo. Crazyyyyyyyyy.
The late afternoon consisted of sitting in the shade (and avoiding the sun), ice cream, yummy Passionfruit Collins cocktails (from the bar near the Barracks Stage) and Robert Forster…..
Then there was some more tunnel exploring……
We listened to Spiritualized and The Saints (both from a distance)….
And enjoyed a beautiful harbour sunset…..
Then it was the main event, the man himself…..Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds.
sweet! nice job on the website, ill tell more people about it.