Public Address | Cafe | Cracker: Gimme Shelter

Geoff Lealand

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:18:27 +1300

re Parachute. Teenagers will be teenagers but what concerns me more is the slightly creepy religious types praying (preying?) on gullible teens.

Andre Alessi

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:16:05 +1300

I saw Smashing Pumpkins at that first BDO, and to this day it amazes me when someone mentions how great they are. It's all opinions about art in the end, but what I saw was a bored, tired band going through the motions.

I never saw them at the BDO,…

Andre Alessi

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:10:42 +1300

A journalist of my acquaintance who grew up going to church and thence to Parachute assures me that there was much more devillish behaviour at Parachute than is commonly acknowledged ;-)

The interesting thing about Parachute is that it has always been seen as an excuse for teens to have…

Russell Brown

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:18:43 +1300

I was like, 19, and I can’t remember if that was the BDO I tried acid, but it probably was.

Dude! That was the night my dear, departed friend Claire gave me some of her acid when she really didn't have to. She was like that.

Mikaere Curtis

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:08:13 +1300

Those LED teeth thingies are pretty cool, but I think he actually used wired LED lights in his mouth.

recordari

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 13:57:49 +1300

For those who are wondering how he did that.
I can sleep easy again. But, seriously, would be fun to sneak into a kids room at night and make a spooky ‘bwahahaha’ noise with grinning bright iridescent green teeth.

What?

Rich Lock

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 13:49:24 +1300

the lead singer had a light in his mouth.

For those who are wondering how he did that.

Ian Dalziel

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 20:52:13 +1300

Russ never sleeps...

Or Crowe's Road...

whatever else one may say or think about him
that was a good gig that mr le Roq ran there...
Auckland sorely needed an all ages venue

George Darroch

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 20:05:48 +1300

A journalist of my acquaintance who grew up going to church and thence to Parachute assures me that there was much more devillish behaviour at Parachute than is commonly acknowledged ;-)
Like everybody really stays in their own tent.

I went a few times growing up, and had plenty of…

Damian Christie

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:38:13 +1300

I saw Smashing Pumpkins at that first BDO, and to this day it amazes me when someone mentions how great they are.

I was like, 19, and I can’t remember if that was the BDO I tried acid, but it probably was. It was sunny and I had made the…

Russell Brown

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:17:10 +1300

If you are really perverse, you could always go to the Parachute Festival at Mystery Creek this weekend. Why do Christians have to colonise everything--music is quite properly the property of the devil ;-)

A journalist of my acquaintance who grew up going to church and thence to Parachute assures…

Jackie Clark

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:05:34 +1300

Would there be anything quite as alarming as an entire festival attended by Christian Youth. It makes my blood run cold.

Geoff Lealand

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:00:43 +1300

Anonymous Author

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:00:09 +1300

Personally, I found Tool was completely inspiring from front and centre – the closest I've been to any stage at any BDO, in fact. A complete immersion in a journey of delirious light and trippy sound. I knew I had to do this from when they last played and the…

Rich Lock

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:23:29 +1300

I’m fairly clappity-clappity about Grassroots

Due entirely to my own stupidity, I missed out on Rodrigo y Gabriella when they were over here this time last year, so I’m rather pleased fate has seen fit to give me a chance to redeem myself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0CsLefLisE

Danielle

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:24:42 +1300

I'm mildly excited about Grassroots in April

I haven't seen Elvis since... 2002, so I'm fairly clappity-clappity about Grassroots. Plus: Grace Jones!!

(I'm also attending Sufjan Stevens, Les Savy Fav, and Roxy Music, but frankly I'm the most thrilled by seeing The Meters on April 15. Funky squee!)

recordari

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:52:58 +1300

I was also a bit blown away by the line up at Raggamuffin.

Mary J Blige
Maxi Priest
Jimmy Cliff
Oringinal Wailers
etc

That sounds expensive to me too. Hope they do well.

Russell Brown

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:27:39 +1300

Seems to me that the BDO is more or less designed around having to have big international acts the headliners. The venue is too large for it to be economical otherwise.

There’s the added factor of the decisions really being made in Australia. The Aussie promoters, Ken West and Vivien…

Heather Gaye

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:29:43 +1300

For example, he chose to do a number that was extra long and extra slow

Yeah, must admit I phased out there for a bit.

Rich Lock

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:26:43 +1300

a fireworks act with no new musical interest, not to mention their boring tongue-in-cheek Fascist aesthetic

Ooooh, burn.

Rammstein? Burn? Geddit!? Geddit!?

Seems to me that the BDO is more or less designed around having to have big international acts the headliners. The venue is too large for it to…

Roger Horrocks

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:51:25 +1300

I agree with Heather Gaye that Grayson Gilmour was a special moment. A very original guy – if anyone doesn’t know So So Modern, check out their great CD. But I must say that GG’s set was almost wilfully defiant of the BDO context. For example, he chose to do…

Rich of Observationz

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:51:55 +1300

At least in NZ, security firms don't strongarm their way into getting contracts. Well, I haven't heard of this – it seems standard practice overseas.

Geoff Lealand

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:51:05 +1300

As this is about music…the Feb 2011 issue of the UK mag The Word arrived this morning and they feature The Phoenix Foundation Pot on their Now Hear This sampler (keeping company with The Go! Team and Joan as Policewoman). I am having trouble linking to my subscriber copy, so…

recordari

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:21:35 +1300

the Queen Street Riot of 1984

That was the one before. Ended up at The Venue on Symonds street. Or Crowe's Road, if we're name dropping.

Ian Dalziel

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:04:58 +1300

My last concert in Aotea Square was...

... DD Smash and that ended in
the Queen Street Riot of 1984

Kyle Matthews

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:16:55 +1300

and Sufjan Stevens

I'm going to have to request a ban on any further discussion of him coming to NZ, his gigs, and how fucking great he was.

My partner and I made the difficult decision, having just been up in Wellington for the family Xmas, that we wouldn't shell…

Heather Gaye

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 09:02:40 +1300

Primal Scream were amazing, Grinderman were amazing, but the revelation of the day was someone I already love: Grayson Gilmour played to about 20 people, and his set was incredible. His band consisted merely of drums, bass, him on keyboards and a cellist (FUCKING EH), but there was this swell…

George Darroch

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 01:26:25 +1300

Die Antwoord, performing the BDO:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-nPFpXVbnY

And (NSFW, but mindblowing) as much penis as I've ever seen in a music video – Evil Boy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbW9JqM7vho

There's a bit of back story (Pitchfork interview with 'Ninja')

Ninja: Another element in his verse is about how the real Xhosa men with the…

Mikaere Curtis

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 22:42:52 +1300

Fair call, I thought the Smashing Pumpkins were great at the BDO, but caught them a year or two ago down at Vector. Worst concert I've been to in a long time, so incredibly disappointing.

I'd booked tickets to Christchurch that Easter, and spent serious money extending my whanau's stay…

Jeremy Eade

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 22:04:45 +1300

Damian,

Funnily enough as far as I understand the whole security industry is under review at the moment in parliament . The unite union want to clean the industry up. I worked security at Eden Park recently. As far as I understand the drunken league fiasco has made the whole…

Geoff Lealand

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 21:44:37 +1300

@Roger. I really admire how you get to BDO every year. I just couldn't be bothered this year as there wasn't really anything that rang my bell, nor could compare with Arcade Fire. But there is Laneway coming up and Sufjan Stevens and April Grassroots festival has some exciting acts,…

recordari

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 21:20:56 +1300

I think a lot of the new bands are playing Laneways. I'm excited about Warpaint, Deerhunter and a few others playing next week. My last concert in Aotea Square was an early Womad, and it was great, so have higher hopes.

Will try arrive in a New York state of…

Roger Horrocks

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 20:54:18 +1300

This BDO thread is running out of steam, but still I would like to add my 5 cents worth. I come to BDO each year to see something new – bands I haven’t seen live, or bands I don’t even know about. I think the BDO’s choice of bands has…

Morgan Nichol

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 18:13:15 +1300

Fair call, I thought the Smashing Pumpkins were great at the BDO, but caught them a year or two ago down at Vector. Worst concert I've been to in a long time, so incredibly disappointing.

Morgan Nichol

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 18:11:58 +1300

I thought Iggy Pop & Tool were both rather dull. Rammstein, who aren't really on my radar, where completely fucking brilliant. Got out of there quicksmart when Tool didn't catch my fancy, so maybe they picked up after I left for the boiler room.

I probably wouldn't have gone at all…

Rich Lock

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:21:24 +1300

I did warn you....

Tony Parker

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:20:17 +1300

Whoa. That's 3 minutes 46 of my life that I'll never get back again and has probably left me scarred for life!!!!

Rich Lock

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:08:39 +1300

(probably unintentionally) as camp as a row of tents.

Part of the appeal to me is that I reckon they know exactly what they’re doing and how they come across. Tongues are firmly in cheeks.

I offer the court Exhibit A. Which may not be safe for work, depending on…

Roger Horrocks

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:06:14 +1300

Just to say I am very pleased that some people have criticised the security at BDO. I have been going to this event for many years and it's felt to me as though the security presence has become more obtrusive every year. I am a quiet guy about four times…

Peter Darlington

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:49:08 +1300

I think bar access is the least of the benefits of a pass to the Immortals Lounge, which is where journalists, suppliers, friends blaggers, etc, get put. (VIP would be overstating the case, really.) It’s more respite from the noise and easier access to toilets.

The Immortals Bar was a…

Ana Simkiss

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:30:58 +1300

Rammstein were hilarious – proof of the cookie monster theory of heavy metal vocals, and (probably unintentionally) as camp as a row of tents.

KingKenny

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:06:43 +1300

Mikaere Curtis

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:17:55 +1300

There should be an option for normal ticket holders to be able to drink and watch the main stage reasonably comfortably (by BDO standards of course, which isn't that comfortable)

I agree that the one down the bottom at the back of the stadium is a bit of a zoo…

recordari

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:17:18 +1300

When I got to the front of the very long wristband queue she just asked "do you have ID, I don't need to see it", which was nice, but someone scouting the line for the elderly would've been even better!

There was a queue? Clearly stumbling in my senility around…

Rik

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:14:50 +1300

So if I was James Edgars and the only chance I had to sell some product was to those that couldn't be bothered queueing for beer it is possible I would be trying to keep my tent look as empty as possible to increase the chances of this occurring.

Damian Christie

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:59:47 +1300

Luckily, when I reluctantly queued up, one of the wristband workers had the insight to walk up the line doling out wristbands to anyone who was obviously over 25.

Oh and yeah, this is what it should be like. People in charge using their common sense. This is a great…

Rich Lock

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:56:52 +1300

In Rammsteins first song, the lead singer had a light in his mouth.

Luckily, being Rammsteins lead singer does not mean you actually need to be able to sing...

Mungo like FIRE! Mungo like SHOUTY GERMANS! Mungo haz a happy....

Danielle

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:55:51 +1300

This is what M.I.A. was starting into as we were leaving:

May I take a moment to wail in a tragic and incoherent manner?

WAAAAAH!

Damian Christie

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:54:10 +1300

@Mikaere – "They are hardly ghettos". Yeah nah, they are. As I said, the Lilypad one was fine, and the one in between Green and Essential minimised the ghetto feeling (other than the fact you're left peering through a fence while standing in piles of rubbish.) But that main stage…

Russell Brown

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:52:51 +1300

You really did have a different experience to me. Got stuck passing through under the stands to get my wrist band

Actually, yeah, we did have a bit of a jam the first time we passed through there. Blocking passage from the food stalls to the Boiler Room was a…

Rich Lock

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:52:25 +1300

The last BDO I went to pre-this one was in 2003, and my 'two moments I remember' are oddly similar to yours:

Firstly, having some mustachioe'd, steroid-munching, small-cocked knob-jockey with a bad attitude refuse to give me a 'elegible to drink' wristband because my ID wasn't suitable. Despite the fact…

nzMM

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:49:37 +1300

It was a great day. Pitty about the rain at the end, though if i had heeded the weather reports i would have dressed in more than shorts and tshirt...

As for security, in general i keep my distance. That said there was one security fellow on the D perimeter…

recordari

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:45:11 +1300

And $130 for a coffee is a bit steep...

$170 thank you very much. I bought late, but it was $158 online beforehand.

Moving around the site is a key feature of the event, but it wasn’t anywhere near as difficult as it has been some years – partly because…

Russell Brown

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:20:30 +1300

Ah. This is what M.I.A. was starting into as we were leaving:

'Boys'. Onstage madness:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FE7qiI9vtE

And thereafter, she did play 'Paper Planes':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cYUiQFsHJs

Mikaere Curtis

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:06:20 +1300

By the time I got to the bag check, around 1:45pm, they were only doing cursory checks for alcohol. At least it's not like Aussie, where the cops bring sniffer dogs so as to maximise their day-spoiling activities.

I really like having specific bar areas. They are hardly ghettos, and…

Russell Brown

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:02:25 +1300

Ah, the sheep dip. I noticed this about three years back, the last time I attended the BDO, I commented to someone that the whole thing had turned into an A&P show and we were the cattle, herded around from sales point to sales point. The whole exercise was like a…

Andre Alessi

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:52:18 +1300

I haven't been to the BDO for a couple of years now-I can't say I have enough good memories to justify shelling out the cash for a ticket (as well as taking the time off work) though I still remember my first experience of the Mars Volta live with a…

Steve Barnes

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:50:14 +1300

Definitely saw evidence of the changed mentality Damian and others have covered here. I kept looking for the sheep dip.The coffee, as seems to be usual at the BDO, was fantastic. Well done whoever is in charge of that!

Ah, the sheep dip. I noticed this about three years back,…

philipmatthews

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:19:35 +1300

And all of the inevitable closing number 'All My Friends', which just gave me goosebumps watching it again. Electrifying.

Epic. I would have gone for LCD over the Primals based on that.

Russell Brown

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:04:28 +1300

And now some LCD from Friday ...

1.38 of the 10-minute opener, 'Dance Yrself Clean':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhpC01qf0MM

And all of the inevitable closing number 'All My Friends', which just gave me goosebumps watching it again. Electrifying.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQAH05g_zAU

The Auckland crowd looks much bigger and much more up for it than the…

Damian Christie

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:03:11 +1300

Yeah, I've definitely never had a problem buying only one or two beers rather than four @danielpresling, and I'm pretty sure that would break some major licensing principles. There's certainly a maximum of four, but perhaps you just saw everyone taking four (which one tends to do, after queuing half…

recordari

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:37:04 +1300

wise selling beers at $20 for 4 as the only option

It wasn't the only option. I bought only two. No one seemed to mind. And when I bought only one light beer later, that wasn't a problem either.

Didn't see anyone force feeding 'booze filled arseholes' with drink. There…

Mark Easterbrook

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:34:22 +1300

Saw you there enjoying your LCD Soundsystem, Russell. My highlight as well.

For my 2 cents worth: I came away feeling like the crowd were very happy, relaxed, and friendly this year, and on their best behaviour.

I didn't see anything on a par with what you saw Damian, but…

danielpresling

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:32:40 +1300

I wasn't there but I also wonder if it's wise selling beers at $20 for 4 as the only option as they have done at most/all previous BDOs and other gig's I've been to at Mt Smart? NZ is funny in this regard – we hate booze filled arseholes being…

Andrew C

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:04:22 +1300

It does irritate me a bit the way they’re going with the gate searches – going through every tiny pocket in a woman’s bag, tipping out some guy’s whole packet of tobacco looking for joints.

This year was the most thorough search I have ever experienced at the BDO. They…

Ian Dalziel

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 10:05:24 +1300

I’m a bit surprised by this. But if you’re sure that’s wise, then who I am to contradict.
If it happened, then it's fine to report that it happened.

But surely these are Celebrity Bars and should have name supression!
;- )

Mark Thomas

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 07:04:08 +1300

Did you see Die Antwoord in the boiler room? That was hilarious.

vangam

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 22:27:12 +1300

Are you telling me that trouble with a big 'T' is just beneath the surface at these events? Coz if that is the case then I can only conclude a north island gig draws a different crowd from the ones I have been to – christ, even my sister goes…

Chip Matthews

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 22:14:28 +1300

Having being involved in around 35 winery shows I have a somewhat opposite view of the need for such security.

vangam

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 21:44:07 +1300

Security are the party-poopers no matter where you go. Even at something as sedentary as the Winery Tour there is overkill on the security – I look at all of them standing around watching us and I can immediately see where most of my ticket price has gone.

Russell Brown

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 21:24:08 +1300

A remarkably good montage of Primal Scream's set:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0csFxxEmrA

Simon Grigg

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 20:18:07 +1300

I wasn't there yesterday for obvious reasons but this review of the mighty Kill City in the Herald simply sucked eggs:

it's Pop caught between New York Dolls and Rolling Stones rawk and enough saxaphone to sink the Love Boat.

Russell Brown

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 19:02:18 +1300

This is how it is for the kids: half an hour from early to late by Daniel Palenski:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgLuZaxBJ5I

Jacqui Dunn

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 18:49:27 +1300

maginificent

Wizard?

Jonathan Ganley

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 18:36:00 +1300

Then Iggy and the Stooges, who also weren’t quite as good as last time – which may simply be because I will always prefer the Ron Asheton Stooges to the James Williamson Stooges. ‘Shake Appeal’ (with a stage full of dancers from the crowd) and ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’…

Blake Monkley

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 18:18:38 +1300

Damn shame this is their last tour.

Bummer as they are absolutely at the top of their game. Epic set and the absolute highlight band for me at the BDO..... particularly the majestic finale.

I was also impressed with how clean and tidy the immortals lounge is from early BDO…

Ana Simkiss

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 18:11:39 +1300

I get the whole booze = problems, but I've attended one day festivals in other countries where no rules about where you can drink are applied. I think its much more civilised, and does not encourage people to neck their drinks every time they want to go somewhere else (i.e.…

Russell Brown

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 18:05:38 +1300

Some videos from Friday:

Street Chant doing an unplugged 'Stoned Again' for Sir Vere and Balcony TV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3nVcFTDyVA

Rammstein. You know, if I'd been trapped in the stadium, I'd have been okay with this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M9UHCsqRB4

Russell Brown

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:33:29 +1300

Actually think the best thing about the immortals area is you can escape for a while and have a drink in s pleasant space.

I’ve talked to the local promoters and they sell or give away as many “pleasant space” tickets as they’re allowed to, which isn’t many. Also, the…

Chip Matthews

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:20:13 +1300

I had an easier time with security this year than last. Was a bit peeved when they took m'erb last year and it tainted my day until performance time.

This year, the entrance into the stadium was an easier process for me and thus my day was started on a…

Russell Brown

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:17:44 +1300

Just to contrast, I’m mostly positive about the BDO experience this year. The new tent/Boiler Room is MUCH better (air!), I’m pretty positive the sound system has been similarly upgraded as the quality of sound seems to be mostly good wherever you happen to be.

Yes, I thought the production…

andrew r

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:12:49 +1300

Actually think the best thing about the immortals area is you can escape for a while and have a drink in s pleasant space -cause if you ain't on any other rec drug and you do feel like a few drinks, then the pen option in the stadium really is…

Ana Simkiss

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 16:48:07 +1300

Aw Damian that sucks, it only takes a bit of aggro like that to ruin the whole day (trust that it didn't though). I had no trouble of that kind though as a rule it's probably more likely to happen to blokes.

Just to contrast, I'm mostly positive about the…

Russell Brown

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 16:18:53 +1300

*Disclaimer: I did not go into any of the licensed areas since I couldn’t be bothered queuing for a beer in what was decidedly not beer weather, and as a smoker I kept my distance from the security staff (they should have a designated smoking area for an event that…

Russell Brown

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 16:13:12 +1300

it truly was one of the best comedy shows I have ever seen and to think they are serious just makes me laugh even more……Spinal Tap eat yr heart out…

Actually, yes — that's the other valid way of looking at them :-)

harrybast

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 16:04:53 +1300

Airbourne was one of the highlights of my Big Day Out....in all my life of seeing thousands of bands I have never ever laughed so hard as I did at those guys.My eyes were wet and my clothes covered in grass from rolling around cracking up to that song about…

Rageaholic

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 16:01:22 +1300

The only* bizarre crowd control issue I noticed was when trying to get into the "D" so that I could be as close as possible for The Stooges and Rammestein. When I got to the entrance of the D there was a big red light and hundreds of people (all…

lotech

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:43:26 +1300

I think the BDO deserves credit for keeping the event all ages while still having more than enough bars for the majority. The next large scale event similar to the BDO I imagine is Rhythm & Vines and there the crowd can drink everywhere (and by wine by the bottle). It…

recordari

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:23:26 +1300

Guess I was thinking both of the need for surety in these things, and the fact that they both may be before the courts. I certainly hope they are.

There has definitely been a sea change in what I remember of security in the 80s and early 90s. It helped…

Julian Melville

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:17:02 +1300

I didn't get my pockets checked and didn't have any hassle all day. That said, I had a really lazy day and mostly just sat in the main stands until giggling at Rammstein got tired and we were too wet and cold, we couldn't get near the tent so we…

Russell Brown

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:01:22 +1300

I’m a bit surprised by this. But if you’re sure that’s wise, then who I am to contradict.

If it happened, then it's fine to report that it happened.

recordari

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 14:52:51 +1300

Naming and shaming seems like the right thing to do in this case.

I'm a bit surprised by this. But if you're sure that's wise, then who I am to contradict.

Russell Brown

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 14:48:31 +1300

I wonder if it was a different security company than usual… they seemed to be a bit more stroppy than in previous years. I also received a shove in the chest when accidentally walking the wrong way into an exit lane. Unnecessary. When you’re a 120kg security guard, you can…

Russell Brown

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 14:44:12 +1300

And I know when you are sober and you are dealing with people who have been drinking and maybe partaking of drugs (legal etc) how you see something and they see it are two different planets

The crowd culture at the BDO is pretty remarkable. People will stop and step…

Russell Brown

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 14:40:41 +1300

Two recent events:

If you're sure of the details, I don't mind you naming the offending establishments. Naming and shaming seems like the right thing to do in this case.

Russell Brown

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 14:34:10 +1300

Exactly why I refuse to go to Big Day Out (and something which a lot of the media, who have access to VIP facilities, ignore).

I think bar access is the least of the benefits of a pass to the Immortals Lounge, which is where journalists, suppliers, friends blaggers, etc,…

Russell Brown

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 14:11:39 +1300

Anyway, how was the music?

First band I heard (not through choice) was Airbourne on the main stage – a desperate Australian AC/DC knockoff who must surely be contenders for shittest band in the world.

First thing I saw that I liked was CSS, who were infectious, accessible and a…

Rich of Observationz

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 13:21:30 +1300

Exactly why I refuse to go to Big Day Out (and something which a lot of the media, who have access to VIP facilities, ignore).

I've been to festivals overseas where there are a range of bars with different operators (including the excellent Worker's Beer Company). If you look under…

Tom Semmens

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 10:10:07 +1300

Two recent events:

A friend of mine, a slip of a pretty, young, little blond girlie girl who is all flimsy frocks and champagne, was punched from behind in the side of the head by a huge bouncer, she was knocked to the ground and lost two teeth -all outside…

recordari

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 10:05:47 +1300

Anyway, how was the music?

Expected a lot from Crystal Castles, but as one of my friends said, she (the lead singer) was too wrapped up in her artiness to notice her mic was turned off. They started late, played 4 songs, and then it was on to the next.…

Jackie Clark

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 09:43:50 +1300

See? That right there is why I don't do the BDO – well, yes, there is the small matter of really disliking loud music. Speaking of security guards, is it my imagination or is there a little bit of OTT about the security at the Powerstation? I went, for the…

philipmatthews

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 09:19:21 +1300

Anyway, how was the music?

BenWilson

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 09:14:52 +1300

I wonder if the wine bar was feeling bitter on account of low sales, and not inclined to indulge anyone who wasn't paying them to take advantage of a "free" facility. That said, the bouncer could have said "The rain shelter is for paying customers, I'm sorry. If one of…

Raymond A Francis

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 21:20:36 +1300

Damian like you I have worked bars, in my case motor bike conventions etc
And I know when you are sober and you are dealing with people who have been drinking and maybe partaking of drugs (legal etc) how you see something and they see it are two different planets…

recordari

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 19:30:56 +1300

Saw a bit of this myself, and the incongruity of insisting people enter or exit from the right lane, while others nonchalantly peed behind a tree, was rather stark.

There was a bottle neck under the south stand that at one point became a bit frightening, as some impatient people…

Hamish N00nan

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 18:45:08 +1300

There was some odd behaviour from the security at the MIA show; trying to take her microphone off her when she was jumping in to the audience and trying to kick audience members offstage between encores.

Mark Thomas

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 18:31:42 +1300

I wonder if it was a different security company than usual... they seemed to be a bit more stroppy than in previous years. I also received a shove in the chest when accidentally walking the wrong way into an exit lane. Unnecessary. When you're a 120kg security guard, you can…

andin

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 18:22:21 +1300

Its all just about "crowd control" now, And keeping people off your front lawn.
The new millennium is really starting to kick(haha) in. But then you would expect wild pessimism from me.

Damian Christie

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 17:58:43 +1300

@Raymond – no, it’s easy to complain when that person is being a) unreasonable and b) violent. I’ve managed more bars than I can remember and while I’ve certainly encountered a few dickheads over that time, I’ve never behaved or condoned behaviour like that. I made it pretty clear in…

BenWilson

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 17:50:20 +1300

Any time you're shoving someone because they asked a question, you're being a dick.

Raymond A Francis

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 17:05:15 +1300

Wonder who would have complained if he couldn't get his nice glass of wine because there was a mob of beer swillers/drunken yobs under the awning huddling out of the rain
Just saying,
It easy to complain if you don't have to deal with the public and the hassle

Public Address

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 17:05:15 +1300

Discussion from blog post.