All Tomorrow’s Parties Sydney Jan 18 2009

Fantastic festival held at Cockatoo Island Sydney.

Why so good?

Because now that I’m old(ish) Big Day Out/Homebake is just too crazy/busy/full of wacky teenage trippers and shirtless yobs for me. At ATP I

• didn’t have to queue for beer (had to pay $7.50 for it though), toilets, food etc
• could walk between stages with ease
• could get as close as I wanted to bands

Here’s my take on what I saw, with some crappy pics from my mobile phone.

Hunter Dienna

After arriving on the island via ferry from Circular Quay with friends started the day by walking up the hill to the Barracks stage to see Hunter Dienna who  had just started playing here. The dramatic setting in front of an old sandstone building with harbour views and huge cranes and their PJ Harvey-ish, sparse and moody sound was the perfect beginning to the fest. At this point I realised it was going to be a special day.

The Stabs

Had an awesome bass sound, great chaotic sprawling tunes and a winning cheeky attitude, complete with impish grins.

Bridezilla

Mostly girl (except for drummer) young band with interesting line-up including sax and violin. The violinist was manic and a pleasure to watch. Should be good in a couple of years with some experience and better songs.

Beaches

Three guitar all girl outfit with a few more years on the clock than Bridezilla. Shimmery guitar pop, didn’t really excite me.

The Holy Sea

Mellowish acoustic guitar, keyboard, cello with a good singer/guitarist plus second female vocalist. Only caught a couple of songs.

Hoss

These guys hold a special place in my heart from the early 90s when I used to see them all the time around Sydney’s inner city haunts. Much less hair but still love those songs. Blokey Stonesy hard rock n roll, love it. Would have been better in a dark smelly pub though…

Afrirampo

Wacky Japanese girls. Bit wacky for me.

Dead Meadow

Sabbath-y early 70s bluesy jammy wah-driven hard rock, complete with moustaches and a drum solo.

Harmonia

Blokes with computers. Not my cup of tea.

Laughing Clowns

Never saw these guys back when they were in full swing. Pretty full-on jazzy and fairly inaccessible if you’re not familiar with much of their back catalogue. Good though.

Spiritualized

Didn’t know anything about Spiritualized or Jason Spaceman but rather enjoyed this set. Lots of layers of sound and epic tunes. Complete with two pumping backup singers.

The Necks

Either works for you (Annette) or doesn’t (me). Three-piece avante garde jazz drone I think.

The Saints

Great disappointment of the day for me. I love the snot, power and don’t-give-a-fuck attitude of I’m Stranded and Eternally Yours. This was reserved, lacking in spirit, nowhere near loud enough, involved dodgy dance moves and pretty much ruined it for me.

I’ve got to stop going to see these reformed bands as it usually ends up bad.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

The Bad Seeds are sooo tight – they can bring a song down to a whisper before pounding it like a sledgehammer. I’m not a rabid Nick Cave fan but this set was one of the best rock shows I’ve ever seen. Mix of old material and stuff from the last album. (Being one of the few bands to play in the dark probably helped). Awesome.

(Amber’s pic)

Fuck Buttons

Electro. See Harmonia.

Sounds of Seduction

Jay Katz and gang finished up the day by spinning some great discs at blistering volume, complete with go go dancers. First track was All Tomorrow’s Parties by the Velvets, of course. Left as Real Cool Time by the Stooges was coming on.

Roll on next year…