The indie girl's guide to…

V Festival

Centennial Park, Sydney

Saturday, 28th March, 2009

V Festival is a strange beast – it tries to be a lot of things to appeal to as many people as possible – the mainstream crowd (The Killers, Kaiser Chiefs), the slightly older crowd (with their ever-present array of nostalgic acts that this year included Madness and the Human League), the indie hipsters (The Kills, M83) and everyone in between.

Now in its third year in Australia, it’s a behemoth on the festival circuit, a massive corporate beast that can afford to bring out hugely popular acts like headliners The Killers, and place them alongside newer acts like Tame Impala or “so hot right now” acts like Duffy. And I am so grateful to the organiser’s for this year’s lineup because they brought out little-known (in Australia anyway) indie singer Jenny Lewis.

The tickets are quite expensive (which is the main reason I think it didn’t sell out) you are asking people to pay $140 to see only 22 bands, for example in the course of my day I only saw 8 bands play. It is noteworthy to mention that the main acts had quite long sets, and of course The Killers played a really long set as would be expected because they did not play any sideshows on this tour – presumably to get everyone who loves them to pay the big bucks to see them at V Festival.

And its not to say that I am one of those people who think a corporate festival is a big evil machine – I don’t, hell I enjoyed my free “insert caffeine beverage without added sugar brand here” – mainly because it saved me from paying for overpriced soft drinks. I realise all festivals need sponsors to survive, but in this case the brand/sponsor is the festival itself, and with that in mind it doesn’t have a distinct feeling or vibe that other festivals seem to have.

I arrived at V Festival at the very beginning of the day to see the Howling Bells open This Stage. I do love their brand of indie pop. Lead singer Juanita Stein is quite enigmatic too, and they stride the line between bluesy rock and country folk. Then it was straight over to see Duffy on That Stage. There was quite a big crowd already there. I do like Duffy’s voice, but I am yet to figure out her look, part 50’s country starlet, big bouffant hair and back up singers with dance moves (and hairstyles) to match – and I do love synchronised dance moves, so this was very cool.

Then back to This Stage to catch the last few songs of Louis XIV (now there was a man with some serious hair) and get a good possie for the main drawcard for moi – Jenny Lewis. I swapped spots with a friendly girl called Sarah who had already gotten her front and centre position ready for The Killers later in the night. Very handy. The whole band came out on stage first, and then there she was – all fiery red hair, sunglasses and smaller and cuter than I had imagined.

Yes a big part of loving Jenny Lewis for me is that she has an inimitable style – part op shop, mostly effortless cool – and the other big part is that voice – so unique, so warm – and the lyrics that break hearts and tell beautiful stories. I had been waiting soo many years for this. (With this gig and The Duke Spirit a few days earlier, this week has been all about seeing bands that I first fell in love with in 2005!). I’ve loved Jenny and Rilo Kiley since first hearing Portions for Foxes from their More Adventurous album. Then there was the honest and beautiful gospel and country of her first solo album Rabbit Fur Coat just made me fall for her music even more  and then last year’s follow up Acid Tongue took that to a whole other level.

The band, which included her boyfriend Johnathan Rice, was in great form. I loved Acid Tongue, and the full force of Jack Killed Mom live was amazing, and personally I really enjoyed Rise Up With Fists!! from the first album.

Jenny Lewis – V Festival Sydney
Setlist
See Fernando
Rise Up With Fists!!
Carpetbaggers
Pretty Bird
Jack Killed Mom
Godspeed
You Are What You Love
Acid Tongue
The Next Messiah

After Jenny I caught the end of M83, then had a much needed sit down, before taking a place at the front for The Kills (who came on a bit late, not sure why, only two people, no drums, how long can it really take?). Anyways they were good, Alison is just one rock n roll banshee, almost too cool for school, smoking, drinking, writhing with the microphone stand on stage. The people next to me sounded more interested in a possible Kate Moss sighting, I guess that’s what happens when half the band is dating a supermodel!

So we missed the start of Kaiser Chiefs (due to a not so quick stop for food), but I did see Ricky scale the heights of the scaffolding, and try to whip the crowd into a frenzy, but as big as the Kaiser Chiefs are, they aren’t really that huge over here, with most people really only knowing the “hit” singles. I do think it would be lovely at some point to see these bands that are so adored by the Brits in the UK (bands like The Killers, Kings of Leon, Kaiser Chiefs…all loved the British music press and the punters) I think the crowds would completely go off, while the crowds here were quite enthusiastic and I’m sure there was a high ex-pat contingent but not crazy so like I imagine they are over there.

Then to the main show, all the other stages finished up so you had no choice but to tune your ears into The Killers. Now look, I know I say it often, but I like their old stuff better than their new stuff, I really do, and to me I think the crowd was more into the Hot Fuss singles than their newer stuff also. The first five songs from that album are pure pop gold, where as the Day & Age stuff like Human is a bit naff for my liking – Are we human or are we dancer? – come on!!

Anyways overall enjoyable day, that was buoyed by Jenny Lewis’ standout performance, if I was in love with (her) and her music before, I am now head over heels with that dizzy feeling, giddy smiles and all. I can’t wait to see her again (at the Metro) this time I might just cry.

~ by Roshan on April 1, 2009.

Posted in Indie, Live Music, Music, Photography, Pop, Review
Tags: centennial park, festival, indie, Live Music, Music, pop, rock, sydney, v, v festival, virgin