Jul 27, 2005 10:17
A RUNDOWN ON MY WEEKEND AT SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS AND THE COINING OF A NEW PHRASE: "Chucking a Ryan Adams".
SATURDAY. It was a long day as we had to be at the Fields by 9.30 to start our volunteer shift of wristbanding. Its always amusing with all the punters coming though, all pumped for the festival, some already off their dial by midday. At one point I looked up and the lovely Ms Portek was right in front of me so that was exciting. By then end of my shift at 4.00 I had a shocking headache which was annoying as hell. Saw some SARAH BLASKO - she was great, but by then my headache was really kicking in and I thought maybe I should have something to eat as I hadn’t eaten all day and I thought maybe that would help. It didn’t, so I went in search of the first aid tent for some panadol, and on the way came across DECODER RING who were a pleasant surprise - they were great. The damn headache was turning into a migraine, so I went back to the relative dark & quiet of the car for a while to try & stave it off.
Headed back into the festival for THE LIVING END who were absolutely awesome - the crowd was going off & it was great fun. Next up and firstly I have to say I had no idea he was so ‘country’ was RYAN ADAMS. Oh Dear. Poor Rizza. He was really not having a good time of it. I don’t know what the sound engineer was doing (lets just say he was no Adam Rhodes) but there was so much feedback happening, it was gross and I felt sorry for poor Ryan. At one point he turned to us and said "Don’t worry, it will be over in about 40 minutes". The terrible feedback continued through his set, but he battled on and in the middle of the set he spat out "This is the best sound I have ever had up on a stage" [sarcasm meter overload!!]. Then came the defining moment, in the middle of Cold Roses, he just stopped playing, had a tanty and yelled out "Is this a FUCKING JOKE? Are you doing this to me on purpose? I can’t hear a fucking thing, I can’t hear myself!".
He stood there with a scowl on his face for a minute then went "FINE THEN, I’ll just keep playing, even though I CAN’T HEAR MYSELF AT ALL, I’ll just keep playing then!".
He finished the song and went "Yeah, Queens of the Stone Age are on next, they’re really good" and chucked his guitar and stormed offstage - and the phrase "chucking a Ryan Adams" was born. Queens of the Stone Age finished the night off well (as predicted by Ryan Adams).
SUNDAY. Rocked up in time for THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS who put on a fine show as expected - I really like this band - I was disappointed that they didn’t play Blackbird - it is the quintessential BG song as far as I’m concerned. I was fairly passively stoned by the end of their set which may also have added to the enjoyment. Headed over to the Tipi Circle for a bit of a dance in the mud then thought I’d catch a bit of BUTTERFINGERS. They started late so by the time I got over to the Supertop for BLOC PARTY there was about 37 million people there, and I couldn’t even get in under the big top and had to watch tiny dots in the distance. They sounded really good, although I didn’t get the close up and intimate effect that the lovely Darcy got last week obviously from that distance. I found Clairey just before INTERPOL (thanks to the ever useful Shrek Ears) and rocked on with her for part of their set, then went over & met some friends in the Splendid Lounge bar for a bit more of a boogie. I must say I preferred dancing in the mud under the stars at the Tipi Circle to the dance floor…. Maybe I’m a closet raver?
As a bit of homage to Lauren more than anything, I thought I’d catch the FINN BROTHERS, not expecting a whole lot - but in a surprise twist, they were totally the highlight of the festival - they were fantastic!. They got so into it - Tim was going off and the whole crowd were singing along - it was spine tingling and absolutely brilliant. They dedicated "Four seasons in one day" to Paul Hester which was beautiful. They sang a bunch of Crowded House & Split Enz tunes as well as the classic "Throw your arms around me" which went right off. I’ve never been a massive fan of Crowded House, but I was inspired enough to go & buy their ‘Best of’ yesterday. (As if I didn’t already know you had great musical taste Loz, considering how we met, now I truly take your advice seriously and I’ll be heading off to see Darren Hanlon or Dom Italiano anytime they’re within 100ks of me). Raced over the catch the HILLTOP HOODS who also rocked - yo dudes, I was so ghetto - haha It was v. cool and finished the night up with a bit of MOBY.
Awesome weekend, great weather, fabulous music, great company - the coining of some new vernacular - what more could you ask for?? Rock on Australia.
Wish you all had’ve been here. Maybe next year?
Love to all.
Dxxxx
S.P. I am arriving in Sydney tomorrow lunchtime and I would love to see you YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE......... I'll be around until Monday lunchtime if you wanna catch up. Or not?