A few weeks ago, it was predicted that Golden Plains, known for it’s sunny days, was due for some stormy weather. And stormy weather was granted. Though somehow the buckets of rain, lightening and icy wind was preferable to the onslaught of the storm in the city of Melbourne. It was a somehow comforting knowing that our cold and wet weekend could have been much worse. No hail, no falling trees, no worries.
The first band we made it to the Amphitheatre to see was Clairy Baby Browne and the Bangin’ Rackettes. The fun time rockabilly slot at the Amphitheatre (see: Kitty Daisy and Lewis at Meredith ’09) is always well received and a fun introduction to the festival.
After being told that Lou Barlow’s “secret” gig at the festival was cancelled (liars), we were lucky to stumble across it anyway. Though I was struggling to hear and see at the back of the small crowd, it was still impressive to witness such a small impromptu solo gig by Barlow. Word on the street is that J Mascis played a much more secretive secret show at another part of the site. I wish I was in on that secret.
I was promised a crazy show by the hairy Israelis Monotonix, and they certainly delivered. Why play on a stage when you can play in the mud and/or on heads? Playing drums atop of the crowd was quite the spectacle, though we were told not to follow suit. “No crowd surfing... unless you’re in the band.”
I’m not the only person who thought I would never see a Pavement show, so of course I was not the only one over the moon to find out that this very prediction was wrong. The energy and excitement resonating in the amphitheatre just before they started was huge. Pavement really took us back with a great setlist that was full of early songs including singalongs ‘Cut Your Hair’, ‘Stereo’ and ‘Range Life’. They reformed about 6 months ago and are already playing flawless shows.
The follow up slot to Pavement is a hard stage to fill, but Dinosaur Jr. was the highlight of the festival. J Mascis’ style of guitar playing is certainly his own. It’s loud and fast and... did I mention loud? The songs were spot on and despite them playing to a field of drenched rats, the crowd was loving every minute. That was the best fun in the rain I’ve had in a long time.
Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard and their cutesy music was a nice touch to Sunday morning, though it did seem like I was listening to the Juno soundtrack at times. His solo off-stage show at the cinema was cancelled because of the downpour, which was a shame. I would have much preferred hearing him over The Midnight Juggernauts.
Tame Impala’s psychedelic tunes are played so naturally that they could pass for a legitimate 60s band (if they weren’t a group of 20-somethings). They don’t come across as a trendy retro wank, which is refreshing when comparing them to other “psychedelic retro rock” bands. The spacey dreamy guitar carried over the crowd beautifully and sounded great.
Being told not to miss Los Angeles DJ Gaslamp Killer, we dragged our freezing bones to the amphitheatre at 2am. His set was an energetic crazy sound scape. The transitions were from Hendrix to dub step to soul to reggae to an excruciatingly loud chainsaw noise with moves, dances and conducting an invisible orchestra to match. The Sonic Maestro was well appreciated after the Opulent DJs, who really need to get over their siren sample (and themselves).
The general vibe of the festival was a great one. Luckily the rain alone wasn’t enough to dampen this crowds spirits. The popularity of playing dress ups each year seems to be increasing. It’s always fun watching a tiger, native American and Snow White sliding down a mudslide in an inflatable boat.
Golden Plains 2011, Onward Ho!
