So another festival and 1 more show to go before this music marathon is over…for a very long time.

Laneway was great and there were some stellar performances on a lovely Sunday afternoon in Sydney. We started with my personal Aussie faves, The Basics who were their usual awesome selves. For me what makes a good show is obviously the music, but also rockstars with character and humour. I mean seriously, you spend your lives playing around with guitars, have no curfews and can do pretty much what you want, so if you’re going to take yourself super seriously, then I’m not all that interested.

The Basics are constantly having a laugh (nice Extras reference by the way, Wally) and keep their crowd amused between lively songs that always please. Not sure what I thought of the 3 new songs they played. I’ll have to hear them again methinks.

Unfortunately going to see The Basics meant we had to get there super early, so it was a bit of a wait before the next act I was interested in. However, we got to hang out with some fabulous people in that time, so not all was lost. :) BTW, thanks for the ear plugs, Lucky, you saved me!
The Devestations were impressive and kept me engaged even though I’d not heard any of their stuff before. A pleasant surprise. Although the “lane” that they played in proved to be not so great to see bands in this year. Obviously, the beauty that is Laneway is already over and done with, as they sold way more tickets this year, which sucks because well…I don’t like people very much. HEH..no, really, I’m just not a fan of the crowds so Laneway always suited me. Anyway, this also meant that the Lane stage was moved further back and you basically were watching a band in a teeny lane, herded in like cattle. I couldn’t see a bloody thing, and there was a major sewage issue down there!

Okkervill River were great and seem to have far more of a stage presence than they did when we last saw them at The Hopetoun a couple of years back. Once again I couldn’t really see what was happening on stage but they sounded pretty bloody good. I kept myself entertained with the toilet goers jumping the barrier into the VIP area, to then be chased down by security.

The bands we were there to see however were all of the Canadian variety. Sean had on his awesome “Trust me, I’m from Canada” t shirt, that I got him for Christmas and wore it with pride. Stars opened the Canadian extravaganza with a crazy, energetic set and I’m glad I got to see them, as I had to pike out on their side show earlier in the week. Its kinda nuts to think that all these people in all these bands are all mates and in bands together. It makes the whole thing kinda warm and fuzzy.

I’ve almost made up my mind that BSS played a better show than they did at Manning Bar. It was a teeny bit of a set in comparison time wise, however they seemed to have something a little more special yesterday. Maybe it was the fact that some of Stars members got on stage, or maybe they were just so happy about a loved tour ending, but whatever it was, Broken Social Scene put on a great performance for a very appreciative crowd.

The absolute highlight of the whole week was most definitely Broken Social Scene performing Shoreline with Feist and Amy Millan. My second favourite moment was Feist’s performance of Sealion with Kevin Drew, Charles Spearin and the boys from Stars up the back on percussion jumping around like they were having the time of their lives. They have so much fun on stage, you can’t help but have a huge smile on your face whilst watching them.

Feist was just as fabulous as she was at her own show and the crowd fell in love. I heard shouts of “Marry me!” as soon as she took the stage. She took Sydney by storm and they loved her.

Gotye finished off the night and without a band, Wally was left to work all the music off his laptop. I am a big fan of this man and I think he does such amazing work, but seeing the word mouthing thing to the voice over he has playing with his tracks…its a bit lost on me. I think its time he lost it but maybe I just don’t get it. I prefer seeing him with a band, rahter than standing at a lap top as the best parts of his performance were when he sat down at the drum kit and actually played some music.

I know the situation can’t really be helped as he made all the music himself..meh, I am no critic. Just a feeling I got.

Laneway was one festival I really liked, but now its gotten big as they all do and I didn’t enjoy it as much, it was a great line up though and I’m sad, but relieved to say that Magic Music Marathon is officially over!

No photos from me now…I only had film with me.

Image courtesy of googleimages.

Sean’s photos