Public Address | Cafe | Hard News: Big Friday Music: Counting Down at the Springs

Russell Brown

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 22:28:46 +1300

I kept imaging his girlfriend worrying whether he would be messing up his clothes.

That's a lovely little observation.

Matthew Littlewood

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 21:38:23 +1300

Saw this happen to someone at a big US festival, only he wasn’t asked politely to leave. From the reaction, I’m guessing his parents only found out what happened to him from Edward Snowden. NZer’s are so laid back. My South American friends all took pictures of the big signs…

Tom Semmens

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 21:32:50 +1300

It was about 15 minutes before someone asked what I was doing backstage and I was asked to move on

Saw this happen to someone at a big US festival, only he wasn’t asked politely to leave. From the reaction, I’m guessing his parents only found out what happened to…

Matthew Littlewood

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 20:33:04 +1300

Sadly, I didn't get to this year's BDO (I attended BDOs 2003-'11), but will definitely do so next year. Western Springs sounds like a great venue, even allowing for the obvious logistical problems. Hopefully they will be sorted. I will be up for Laneway next week tho!

Anyway, my friend…

llew40

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 13:33:04 +1300

Issues with queueing have been well covered here by others (and the slightly confusing inability on the part of organisers to easily part me from my cash), but I do want to put in a bouquet for the Chowtown concept – best food I've ever eaten at a festival. the…

Russell Brown

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 12:28:21 +1300

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…

Russell Brown

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 12:26:34 +1300

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…

bob daktari

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 12:14:40 +1300

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…

Geoff Lealand

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 11:45:34 +1300

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…

Tom Semmens

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 11:30:19 +1300

Andrew C

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 10:40:54 +1300

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…

Ian Dalziel

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 08:22:25 +1300

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…

Tom Semmens

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 07:49:34 +1300

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…

JacksonP

Sun, 19 Jan 2014 17:52:46 +1300

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…

Russell Brown

Sun, 19 Jan 2014 13:41:34 +1300

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.…

Danielle

Sun, 19 Jan 2014 13:10:51 +1300

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…

Sacha

Sat, 18 Jan 2014 20:56:30 +1300

it felt unsafe.

not so well-run then

Simon Bennett

Sat, 18 Jan 2014 18:52:52 +1300

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…

Geoff Lealand

Sat, 18 Jan 2014 12:31:53 +1300

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…

Russell Brown

Sat, 18 Jan 2014 11:58:01 +1300

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…

Glyn

Fri, 17 Jan 2014 21:57:56 +1300

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

Danielle

Fri, 17 Jan 2014 12:12:52 +1300

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

Alan Perrott

Fri, 17 Jan 2014 10:39:28 +1300

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…

Sacha

Thu, 16 Jan 2014 13:05:46 +1300

to showcase his mad skillz.

Russell Brown

Thu, 16 Jan 2014 12:55:57 +1300

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?

Jeremy Andrew

Thu, 16 Jan 2014 12:37:10 +1300

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

Actually reading this link not recommended...

BenWilson

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 23:26:27 +1300

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

Russell Brown

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 23:09:02 +1300

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

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

Sacha

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:22:57 +1300

back-scratcher

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P33KxKeRnxo

Rich of Observationz

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 17:02:28 +1300

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?

Chris Waugh

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 16:34:36 +1300

I think there’s a clause in the Liquor Act

Is there a similar clause regarding airport transit lounges? Because I distinctly remember waiting in Auckland for a flight back to China and deciding to try a Speight's lager that hadn't existed back when I lived in Dunedin, and then, upon…

Russell Brown

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 16:24:57 +1300

I think there’s a clause in the Liquor Act that requires the bar contract for large events to be given to an industrial cleaning company that will maintain huge queues and shite beer. For our own good, obviously.

Something like that. it's great that they're not captive to venue caterers…

Chris Waugh

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 16:13:06 +1300

This is making the big finger in the sky seem reasonable …

Ah, yes, Chinese advertising is great for helping one stay firmly grounded in reality. I'm sure that, being a scientist, you'd love to see how they market infant formula over here....

Sol K

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 14:27:05 +1300

YUM!

Bart Janssen

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 13:34:28 +1300

PO BOY

Sadly it isn't an alligator Po Boy, but man that food sounds great.

Danielle

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 13:12:35 +1300

Jesus Christ. I can get a PO BOY at the BDO? What sort of civilised madness is this?

Rich of Observationz

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 13:03:55 +1300

I think there's a clause in the Liquor Act that requires the bar contract for large events to be given to an industrial cleaning company that will maintain huge queues and shite beer. For our own good, obviously.

Gary Young

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 13:00:05 +1300

At the risk of appearing a blushing innocent, why?

Bart Janssen

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 12:09:41 +1300

the capsule flying the helicopter and vacuuming bugs out of lungs

I saw some guy with a tiger mask about to use a back-scratcher for something other than his back

This is making the big finger in the sky seem reasonable ...

Russell Brown

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 11:53:26 +1300

Hopefully this will carry over into in an improved beer selection? In the past it’s been brown water at MOET prices.

Don't get your hopes up.

Chris Waugh

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 11:43:56 +1300

What on earth was that pre-roll ad about?

Assuming the ads are the same as you saw, cough medicine (the capsule flying the helicopter and vacuuming bugs out of lungs) and some really exciting sugar-free chewing gum. But I didn't pay any attention to the ads that were on there…

Richard Stewart

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 11:33:19 +1300

Wow that looks like a nice selection of tasty food! It's evident that a lot of effort has gone into providing a high standard for this event, starting with what will be a really nice venue.
Hopefully this will carry over into in an improved beer selection? In the past…

Russell Brown

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 11:27:38 +1300

Your photos remind me of the video for Better be home soon.

What on earth was that pre-roll ad about?

Russell Brown

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 10:46:13 +1300

The Chow Town menu for the day is actually pretty awesome.

Russell Brown

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 10:14:56 +1300

At the change over, a giant finger comes down out of the sky to rotate the new band into place.

If that's what you saw Bart, then that's what happened.

Russell Brown

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 10:14:22 +1300

And Kirsty Johnston has a story and video on Stuff.

Bart Janssen

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 09:50:16 +1300

so there’s no gap between bands

At the change over, a giant finger comes down out of the sky to rotate the new band into place.

Russell Brown

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 09:47:32 +1300

Hugh Sundae has an amusing video of a tour of the site with Campbell, who is driving a golf buggy.

Russell Brown

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 09:36:13 +1300

Also, they've wrapped all the tree trunks in the Lakeside area.

James Littlewood*

Tue, 14 Jan 2014 19:28:57 +1300

I doubt it will sound like much to anyone not on site. There's always at least 2 stages performing simultaneously across the venue. Usually more. Unless you're right in front of one of them, it sounds like bzzzzhhhsssswwwhhhhhhhaaaaaaaoooooorrrrrrrwwwwwwwwhhhhhssssssszzzzzb. Except for maybe half an hour at the end.

Chris Waugh

Tue, 14 Jan 2014 18:42:40 +1300

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks, Heather.

Heather Gaye

Tue, 14 Jan 2014 18:35:59 +1300

The schedule alternates between stages throughout the day. While one act is playing, the next act sets up on the other stage, so there's no gap between bands.

Chris Waugh

Tue, 14 Jan 2014 17:58:21 +1300

Your photos remind me of the video for Better be home soon. And why on earth do they have two stages right next to each other?

Russell Brown

Tue, 14 Jan 2014 15:44:57 +1300

The steps are new and the toilets will be handy.

Russell Brown

Tue, 14 Jan 2014 15:39:56 +1300

Two panorama shots, one from above the mainstage terraces, the other stretching from the distant Tamaki and Aroha Stages to the stadium bowl. Click to embiggen,

Public Address

Tue, 14 Jan 2014 15:39:56 +1300

Discussion from blog post.