Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Tuesday, 7th February, 2012

Feist last night was brilliant, amazing. She rocked out one moment, and sung sweetly the next. The night started pretty funny with Feist calling out a guy who was filming the show. See the video below. It was hilarious as she sung, ”He’s recording me talking about him recording the show so you can put it on YouTube”, to the tune of How Come You Never Go There.

The set was filled with lots of gems from Metals, which I think sounded even better live than on record. There were also a few older songs in there too, including a reworked Mushaboom. Wayne has the full set list over here.

Kudos as well to Mountain Man, who opened the night and were also in Feist’s band. Wow, what voices!

Oh and did I mention, there were two encores! Feist played four songs, then came back solo for one more song! Lucky us! And we sand her an impromptu early Happy Birthday! Fun!

“Sincerity is the new Irony” – Leslie Feist

Sydney College of the Arts, Rozelle

Sunday, 5th February, 2012

Another year, another Laneway Festival. It’s still my favourite festival, based on the line up alone, they always seem to pick acts I truly love, or are gonna love in the year to come.

Sydney turned on a glorious sunny summer’s day yesterday, not a cloud in the sky, and after a week of rain, the sunshine was more than welcome.

My day started off with EMA, aka Erica M Anderson, who was pure raw rock n roll. Completed loved her album Past Life Martyed Saints last year, and it translated great live.

I only recently got into Canada’s Austra through their fab song Lose It. And Katie and her pals sounded amazing live, what a voice! Loved the backup singers and their dance moves!

Then managed to catch half of Laura Marling’s set from the middle of the car park stage. She’s such a talent, and still so young! Saw some of The Panics set too – they were one of the few Aussie acts on the main stage.

I was quite excited to see the next act Anna Calvi. Described as ‘PJ Harvey meets Nick Cave’ – she was right up my alley, or should that be laneway I caught the start of her set, which included the magnificent Blackout. Standing right behind me was EMA! And I also walked past Neil Finn in the crowd!

Next up I did a quick walk by Glasser‘s set (love her song Apply) on the way to the main stage.

Feist had already started when we got there, and the main stage was packed. So sadly watched Feist from right at the back, she still sounded great, and we got our dance on to I Feel It All, but would have been nicer if there was more space/less people.

Our next stop was Chairlift on the middle stage, and it was similarly packed from both sides. Stood near the screen, but sadly with all the punter chit-chatter it was hard to hear the music. There were big crowds for The Drums too. Damn catchy but not really my thing.

Lastly to close the night I saw most of M83. Midnight City was pretty cool, and the lights looked rad too.

Overall, some amazing quality acts this year! Maybe too many, cos there were quite a few clashes. It did seemed really packed compared to last year, so it would be interesting to find out if they increased capacity this year, as the event was sold out by the afternoon.

Toilet queues were not so bad this year, but maybe they need a “line up this way” sign or something, so people don’t line up on the hill, when they had all the space on the concrete to line up. Also food this year seemed to run out quite early, and we had a choice of pies or pies for dinner at the main food outlet.

But it’s really all about the music and if the lineup is this good next year, I’ll definitely be back for more!

I have been meaning to write this post for a while now. A handy guide on what to take to a music festival. This article is specifically for a one day music festival, an all day/all night sort of affair.

I’ve had my fair share of music festival experiences over the years – Laneway Festival, Big Day Out, Homebake, Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival, Harvest Festival, Parklife, V Festival, Livid Festival and Fuji Rock Festival – so this list is tried and true!

The Indie Girl’s Music Festival Checklist:

Your Tickets – Obvious, but don’t leave home without them!

Wallet/Coin Purse – Basically a smaller version of your actual wallet, take only the essentials – ID and plenty of cash, because most festivals don’t have ATMs and if they do they’ll be long queues!

Phone – Fully charged! Essential for post-set meet ups and the nowadays all-important ‘check-in’ on Facebook.

Timetable – Either go old school, print it out and highlight the bands you want to see or nowadays most festivals have an app or mobile website where you can save the bands you want to see and create your own timetable – handy!

Sunscreen – Bring it! And then remember to reapply every 3 to 4 hours, even if it’s overcast. Sunburn is not cool kids, not cool.

Hat – Also you (and by “you” I mean me) are not getting any younger. Wear a hat, all the cool kids are doing it! Jenny Lewis loves hats, and if it’s cool by Jenny, it’s cool by me!

Sunglasses – The sun is like bright, enough said.

Tissues – A small pack of travel tissues have saved me many a time, especially when the portaloo inevitably runs out of toilet paper at the end of the night!

(Sweat) Hanky – The sweat towel was pretty popular when I was at (the very hot and humid) Fuji Rock a few years back, the kids wore it around their necks. I’ve adapted this to a sweat hanky, pretty essential for both guys and gals in our hot Australian summers.

Lip balm – I recommend Lucas’ PawPaw Ointment. Four out of five Aussie female festival goers* aged 18-35 can’t be wrong! *Made up but true statistic.

Blanket/Sarong/Cardigan – As I get older, you are less likely to find me staking out a place at the front of festivals^, and more likely sitting my ass down on the grass off to the side/up the back trying to avoid second hand smoke (I have an asthma puffer and I’m not afraid to use it), so a blanket is essential for comfy festival seating. If bag constraints won’t allow a blanket, try a beach sarong, it’s large enough to sit on, and wraps up small, or bring a cardigan – sit on it when its hot during the day, and put it on when it cools (if it eventually cools) at night.

^Did you know I once stood in the same spot on the front barrier for six hours to see PJ Harvey?

Emergency Poncho – So the theory goes, if you pack an emergency poncho, then it won’t rain. If you forget to pack a poncho, it’s gonna pour! Case in point – Harvest Festival last year, I packed three ponchos (one for me, spares for friends) and NO RAIN!

Paper Fan – They are small, light and they don’t take up much room. I seem to have picked up four or five from my Asian travels, pop one in your bag and you are set.

Optional extras:

Deodorant

Insect repellent (depending on remoteness of festival, this may be essential)

Hand sanitiser

I think that’s it! Have I missed anything? Let me know in the comments!

Hopefully you have found this checklist handy! (insert music festival name) here you come!

The Famous Spiegeltent, Sydney Festival

Sunday, 29th January, 2012

My last Sydney Festival show of the season was at the Spiegeltent to see Eleanor Friedberger perform in solo mode. She is one half of the Fiery Furnaces, but on this tour Eleanor played songs from her debut solo album Last Summer, including my fave My Mistakes. She was super cute, and enjoyable. Much of her appeal lies in her quirky lyrics. A fun way to end another great Sydney Festival!

Manning Bar

Wednesday, 25th January, 2012

Fun, fabulous and they taught us how to do ‘chip shots’. Best Coast’s sideshow at the Manning Bar featured lots of song off their debut Crazy For You. They are working on their second album now, and promised to be back soon! Bethany and Bobb even did a special encore as a duo, with Bobb on drums!

State Theatre, Sydney Festival

Thursday, 19th January, 2012

What can I say about PJ Harvey that hasn’t already been said here and here.

Last Thursday’s Sydney Festival show at the State Theatre was simply magnificent. Having seen PJ Harvey play numerous times before (read: mega fan/stalker) at both intimate shows and festivals, I already knew I was in for an amazing live performance. The new material from last year’s Mercury Prize winning album Let England Shake was incredible. Polly would descend back into the darkness after each song, and it felt much more theatrical than any other time I’ve seen her play. She also threw in a few older tracks like my faves C’Mon Billy and Down by the Water – so I was happy.

I did however leave with a feeling I have had before, also after seeing PJ play – Why the hell hadn’t I gotten tickets to both shows!?!

Young Adult is the story of Mavis Gary, a teen fiction ghost writer, who receives an email from her high school boyfriend Buddy, featuring a picture of his new-born baby. This sets Mavis off on a mission back to her home town of Mercury, Minnesota to win back Buddy. Once back she strikes up a friendship with another former classmate Matt, who is also stuck in high school wasteland, having been bashed and left a cripple by his peers back in high school. We then witness Mavis’ attempts to get Buddy back through a series of funny, often squeamish scenes!

Young Adult brings together the award-winning team from Juno, writer Diablo Cody and director Jason Reitman. Whilst this doesn’t have the charm of Juno, it is still a very funny ride. Mavis isn’t the most likable gal, as she struggles to win over Buddy, but she does have some epic one-liners which I loved. Charlize Theron shines in the role of Mavis, and at times you even feel sympathy for her.

I have to say the ending left me underwhelmed, but overall Young Adult is very funny and definitely worth seeing!

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My fave line: Mavis to the guy that works in the bookstore: “Whatever, book man!”

Did you spot? : In the scene inside a KFC, one side of the cup reads KGC – did anyone else see this?

Did you hear? : Veruca Salt’s Seether was playing in Mavis’ car on her mixtape. I freaking love this song!

Did you spot? : When she emptys her toiletries, Mavis had what looked like a bottle of Philosopy Cinammon Hot Toddy. I only noticed because my friend got me a delicious Red Velvet Cake Philosophy bottle for Xmas – yum!

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Young Adult is in cinemas everywhere now!

City Recitall Hall, Sydney Festival

Tuesday, 17th January, 2012