Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Big Friday Music: Counting Down at the Springs

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  • Rich of Observationz, in reply to Russell Brown,

    A bit too low res to show the menu, or is that an NDA'd item?

    I wish we had something like the Workers Beer Company in NZ?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Bart Janssen,

    back-scratcher

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    A bit too low res to show the menu, or is that an NDA’d item?

    No, I just didn't stand close enough ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson, in reply to Gary Young,

    To protect the tree trunk from damage caused by huge volumes of urine? That's my guess.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Jeremy Andrew,

    Sounds like Russell enjoyed his day tomorrow. According to Sweetman anyways.

    Actually reading this link not recommended...

    Hamiltron - City of the F… • Since Nov 2006 • 900 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Jeremy Andrew,

    Sounds like Russell enjoyed his day tomorrow. According to Sweetman anyways.

    Actually reading this link not recommended…

    Jesus. What on earth was the point of that?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Russell Brown,

    to showcase his mad skillz.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Alan Perrott,

    apologies for the shameless plug, but if you're stuck for summat to do apres BDO or even looking for something to offset the evening time FOMO, then John Baker and I will be playing records at Golden Dawn until 2am.

    all manner of stuff will be aired including this fine example of Bob Seger's early doors promise...

    some facemelting soul...

    and even a funky nod to the baby jeebus...

    do come and say gidday, I'm the one not wearing a hat.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 438 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle, in reply to Jeremy Andrew,

    Aw, I wanted that to be a lot more funny than it was. I think I smirked about twice.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Glyn,

    Pearl Jam coming across pretty clearly half way down Crummer Road…if you like that sort of thing (yawn).

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 12 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Even given some very obvious logistical issues – terrible queues for toilets and bars – the Big Day Out was amazing in its new venue.

    The sound was was a testament to modern PA systems – loud and clear in front of the stage yet within its consent limits at the boundaries.

    And, with the exception of access/egress for the Lakeside Stage, which got completely swamped at times (meaning I missed Ladi6), the site works really well.

    Probably the loveliest moment was when Arcade Fire shot foil confetti out of a cannon during ‘Here Comes the Night Time’. The wind meant that the foil flakes swirled overhead for quite a while afterwards, all lit up in the late sun. Some of the pieces swooped over us where we sitting on the steps, and it was just ridiculously beautiful.

    I hit the wall during Major Lazer (who were great), and thus missed them bringing Lorde onstage (which I kinda knew was going to happen). No regrets, though – the walk home seemed freakin’ endless as it was.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    I popped into The Cube a couple of times, but never at the right time to catch your appearance. But Arcade Fire were all I hoped for--Regine Chassange more to the centre stage than before, cranking up her hurdy-gurdy, the smiling African drummers, Win Butler in great form, and yes--the confetti shower. Only spoilt for a few moments by some cream of NZ youth in front of us, blocking the view, snorting coke, talking on cellphones, and paying nil attention to the music. They were have better off hanging out with bloody Beady Eye,

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Bennett,

    Yes, it was a well-run event in a fabulous location.

    Only scary moment was trying to get across that bridge after watching SJD at the lakeside stage. We were jam packed and confronted with waves of people travelling towards us. We vowed not to attempt that egress again - it felt unsafe.

    Our main reason for going to BDO - being more the Laneway-types, was to see Arcade Fire, who I've wanted to see live for years. They were everything Helen and I could hope for - transcendent. Such a great band.

    All in all a fantastic experience.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 174 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Simon Bennett,

    it felt unsafe.

    not so well-run then

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    I was actually pretty meh about the Arcade Fire for at least the first half of their set, but it wasn't their fault. I can count on the fingers of one hand the main stage acts that haven't left me a bit cold. I'm either too far away or, as a short person, unable to see a damn thing through the crowd. I wish I could see them in a much smaller, indoor venue.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Sacha,

    Attachment

    it felt unsafe.

    not so well-run then

    Given the enormous number of things to be run -- including a ton of compliance that wasn't an issue at Mount Smart, it would be unfair to say that. But I'm surprised they didn't get a handle on bridge capacity before the day. It wasn't an issue all the time, but I was on the other side of the bridge around the time Simon was trying to get out. It looked like this.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • JacksonP,

    Attachment

    On the queues, I'm not feeling as generous as some. They have had a little experience at this sort of thing, in spite of new venue. I gave up trying to get a drink. The free water refills were good though. Anyway, they acknowledged it, and hopefully it will be sorted next time.

    In a BDO trivia moment, I realized I was using a BDO ticket as a bookmark from 2008. Arcade Fire played that one too. Along with LCD. Good times.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2011 • 2450 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Semmens,

    The queues for a drink were beyond a joke. They were lucky the crowd was polite New Zealanders. the sort of logistical incompetence on show when it came to getting a drink or trying to use a loo would have caused any other crowd to riot in disgust. It isn’t like it was the promoters first gig, either. And what drongo puts the VIP lounge where you can’t see anything? We trucked in about $900 or so in cash amongst seven of us. We trucked out the exact same amount, it was impossible to spend our money. Luckily, there was enough illicit booze and drugs smuggled in for the crowd to have a good time regardless of the nincompoops in charge.

    The promoter has to work out how much money was taken away from the gig from people with cash to spend vs. how much he thinks he makes on under-18 year old ticket sales – especially as the kids pre-load like crazy anyway.

    Still, it was a great venue and less than 2km from my house, and we had a great time. Despite be right at the front I still don’t see what all the fuss about Arcade Fire is, much to the disgust of the Chileans I was with. I was happy with Pearl Jam, Liam Gallagher was as reliable a cock as ever but well worth watching. I wished I had seen more of the Hives, they looked like something. After Pearl Jam I couldn’t cope with the dance stuff but I saw the Swedish House Mafia & Major Lazer at Ultra last March anyway so went home.

    Now to prepare for Splore…

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Russell Brown,

    walking on water....

    Given the enormous number of things to be run – including a ton of compliance that wasn’t an issue at Mount Smart, it would be unfair to say that. But I’m surprised they didn’t get a handle on bridge capacity before the day.

    That's very generous of you - but they are the professionals, it's not like they are newbies to the promoting / festival business.
    I don't know the site of this choke point - and whether it was possible to add a bailey bridge beside it or not, but it sounds like that was what was needed - any point like that has be able to take maximum people safely not just cope with low flow - what if there was riot or a fire or other panic inducing event (Len Brown singing surprise?) - perhaps the lake is wadeable, i dunno - but I wouldn't give them a pass on that.
    History has too many ugly incidents with crowds at choke points to ever take it lightly.
    Nonetheless, glad it all went well...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Andrew C, in reply to Simon Bennett,

    We vowed not to attempt that egress again – it felt unsafe.

    I was caught up in it a few times, and while it was a pain I don't recall ever feeling unsafe. Was I oblivious to something that was actually dangerous?

    I thoroughly enjoyed this years BDO, the setting worked out much better than I thought it would. Its pretty magic watching bands lakeside.

    Without wanting to focus on the negatives, the toilets and food/drink queues were terrible and will have to be sorted out if the event is staged here again. Similarly to someone else above, my partner and I left with most of the money we arrived with, we simply couldn't spend it. And the idea to make patrons buy tokens of differing values at Chow Town was just plain stupid - but the grinder I got there was Just. Simply. Awesome.

    Auckland • Since May 2008 • 169 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Semmens,

    Many/most large European events have used chipped cards pre-loaded to a certain $ amount ($20, $40, $60, $100 etc) for at least a decade now. You can purchase when you arrive or from vending machines. When you purchase anything, the amount is deducted from the card. Speeds things up no end.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand, in reply to Andrew C,

    But I wished that I had warned me about the sauce lurking in the pork belly thingy. One bite and it deposited itself as technicolor mess down my front. The evening proved to be stickier than I anticipated.
    I was wondering if the Metro Cube was a success ... A good idea but it seemed to be ignored by the greater mass of seething teens.

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • bob daktari, in reply to Tom Semmens,

    this link

    We had VIP tix and knew in advance there was no view of anything to be had by such - was for timeout, access to loos and food/drink without the expected queues. Was amused by those happily staying in there all day (by the looks)... an experience gained and music not bothered with

    BDO was real good I thought - most of the problems with venue/infrastructure can be fixed I reckon, which bodes well for the future

    My only real complaint is the obsession with fencing - the main stages were an obstacle course which severely limited the ability to get close (ie able to properly hear) to a band one wanted to (having bag and a 13 yr old in tow meant no inner d ring or bar action) - the other stages were wonderful in the lack of fencing. NB - I appreciate crowd control issues

    Though I would flip the lakeside setup so one could actually see (be beside) the actual lake (they can add many millions of fences between crowd and water to keep the fence lobby group happy)

    All up a wonderful return and reboot

    auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 540 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    That’s very generous of you – but they are the professionals, it’s not like they are newbies to the promoting / festival business.

    To be fair, Laneway has yet to conquer its problems with queues for wristbands and bars, although they do better on toilets.

    From the chat I had on the radio with event coordinator Etienne Marais, I got the impression they were focused to a fault on egress from the site itself. The published site map had a toilet block sited on the entry/exit road -- as far as I could see, it wasn't there on the day and may have been nixed to open up the space.

    I don’t know the site of this choke point – and whether it was possible to add a bailey bridge beside it or not, but it sounds like that was what was needed – any point like that has be able to take maximum people safely not just cope with low flow – what if there was riot or a fire or other panic inducing event (Len Brown singing surprise?) – perhaps the lake is wadeable, i dunno – but I wouldn’t give them a pass on that.
    History has too many ugly incidents with crowds at choke points to ever take it lightly.

    That was actually the first thing I said about the site to Campbell when I interviewed him last year and I was surprised they didn't have a better handle on it. I'm not sure they had it separated into in and out lanes at the start of the day, which is a pretty major flub. I suspect that's the best they can do -- I don't think there's room for a bailey bridge, although if there is there should be one.

    But the old site was no stranger to uncomfortable and unpleasant crushes -- particularly around the old Boiler Room.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Tom Semmens,

    Many/most large European events have used chipped cards pre-loaded to a certain $ amount ($20, $40, $60, $100 etc) for at least a decade now. You can purchase when you arrive or from vending machines. When you purchase anything, the amount is deducted from the card. Speeds things up no end.

    Good point.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

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