Big Day Out 2014
Sitting here trying to write a post about Big Day Out has proven harder than I imagined it would. I'm not sure why, perhaps, after the huge weekend that was, I am now on some sort of sad, sorry, come-down. For one thing, I had never been to Auckland (unless you count landing at the domestic airport just to transfer to international down the road). From the moment I landed I was in new territory, and it was fabulous right until the end.
The point of this update is to brag about how awesome my first Big Day Out experience was, but my time in Auckland will also be memorable for a stunning day trip to Waiheke Island, some magic food and some great shopping (sadly I really mean window shopping as I am currently broke as f...).
So let's get to it.
The Highs:
The Music
Along with my bestie, we managed to see The Naked and Famous, Ladi6, The Hives, The Lumineers, Arcade Fire and Pearl Jam. Ultimately I was there for Pearl Jam, but I have always loved The Hives and am super happy to have seen them live. Howlin' Pelle holds an audience like no other, when he told the entire crowd to sit down (and they did) I couldn't believe my eyes! The Naked and Famous were brilliant, as were The Lumineers and Arcade Fire. Ladi6 never fails to disappoint, "It might be immature but ever since I was young I have wanted to write a song about weed" she said before cracking into 'Blaze Up'. But there can be only one winner on the day... Pearl Jam were insane. I maybe bias, I may have every single one of their albums, and a huge crush on Eddie Vedder and Jeff Ament (did you here the one about Jeff breaking a guy's nose playing basket ball?), but that was the best set I've ever seen, from anyone. Two and a half hours was long enough for a selection of new tracks from Lightening Bolt, and a whole bunch of old favourites the entire audience could join in on. Surrounded by thousands of 40 year old guys, joints like they were going out of fashion, and a beautiful summer evening, their performance was powerful, and I wouldn't have changed it for the world - well maybe they could have played 'Alive' or 'Indifference'...
The Food
Chow Town, a new introduction to Big Day Out, showed off samples from some of Auckland's best restaurants at fast food prices. I tried some Poutine (Fries with cheese and gravy a la Canada), and a Chicken Hoagie, both from The Federal Delicatessen. Also available was your usual fare, but who wants that when so many new delicious treats were available.
The Location
My dad was rather miffed when I told him I would be heading to Western Springs (aka an iconic New Zealand Speedway Track) before him. Surrounded by pristine parkland and even a lake, I cannot fault the location. There was room to sit in the trees by the lakeside stage, up on the embankment around the speedway track, and on the grassy area outside Chow Town - as long as you were reapplying sunscreen you were fine. There was room for five stages, three separate areas spread out enough that the music didn't intersect, this did mean a little bit of back and forth walking, but not too much to make it a disruption.
The Transport
A lot of event organisers could take a leaf out of The Big Day Out transport plan. Free buses all day from downtown Auckland to the venue, and free buses back at the end of the night. We managed to catch a bus right after the end of Pearl Jam's set, and there were more buses ready for those coming along behind. So. Well. Organised.
Eddie.
He needs no introduction, so i'll keep this brief. A voice that is still as powerful, beautiful and iconic as the first time I heard it, I stood thinking as he sang - how many pop singers could last 20 years, without auto tune, without a sex scandal, and could come out drinking a bottle of wine that big, and do what he just did?!
PS there were no lows. There have been a lot of complaints in the media of long queues - I went to the loo twice and waited no more than five minutes each time, same for the ID queue, and did not have a problem at the bar - I decided to save my money and didn't waste it on alcohol.
The point of this update is to brag about how awesome my first Big Day Out experience was, but my time in Auckland will also be memorable for a stunning day trip to Waiheke Island, some magic food and some great shopping (sadly I really mean window shopping as I am currently broke as f...).
So let's get to it.
The Highs:
The Music
Along with my bestie, we managed to see The Naked and Famous, Ladi6, The Hives, The Lumineers, Arcade Fire and Pearl Jam. Ultimately I was there for Pearl Jam, but I have always loved The Hives and am super happy to have seen them live. Howlin' Pelle holds an audience like no other, when he told the entire crowd to sit down (and they did) I couldn't believe my eyes! The Naked and Famous were brilliant, as were The Lumineers and Arcade Fire. Ladi6 never fails to disappoint, "It might be immature but ever since I was young I have wanted to write a song about weed" she said before cracking into 'Blaze Up'. But there can be only one winner on the day... Pearl Jam were insane. I maybe bias, I may have every single one of their albums, and a huge crush on Eddie Vedder and Jeff Ament (did you here the one about Jeff breaking a guy's nose playing basket ball?), but that was the best set I've ever seen, from anyone. Two and a half hours was long enough for a selection of new tracks from Lightening Bolt, and a whole bunch of old favourites the entire audience could join in on. Surrounded by thousands of 40 year old guys, joints like they were going out of fashion, and a beautiful summer evening, their performance was powerful, and I wouldn't have changed it for the world - well maybe they could have played 'Alive' or 'Indifference'...
 |
| The Hives |
 |
| Pearl Jam's Jeff and Eddie |
The Food
Chow Town, a new introduction to Big Day Out, showed off samples from some of Auckland's best restaurants at fast food prices. I tried some Poutine (Fries with cheese and gravy a la Canada), and a Chicken Hoagie, both from The Federal Delicatessen. Also available was your usual fare, but who wants that when so many new delicious treats were available.
 |
| A Chicken Hoagie... |
 |
| And Poutine from Federal Deli |
The Location
My dad was rather miffed when I told him I would be heading to Western Springs (aka an iconic New Zealand Speedway Track) before him. Surrounded by pristine parkland and even a lake, I cannot fault the location. There was room to sit in the trees by the lakeside stage, up on the embankment around the speedway track, and on the grassy area outside Chow Town - as long as you were reapplying sunscreen you were fine. There was room for five stages, three separate areas spread out enough that the music didn't intersect, this did mean a little bit of back and forth walking, but not too much to make it a disruption.
 |
| View of the Kowhai & Tui Stages |
The Transport
A lot of event organisers could take a leaf out of The Big Day Out transport plan. Free buses all day from downtown Auckland to the venue, and free buses back at the end of the night. We managed to catch a bus right after the end of Pearl Jam's set, and there were more buses ready for those coming along behind. So. Well. Organised.
Eddie.
He needs no introduction, so i'll keep this brief. A voice that is still as powerful, beautiful and iconic as the first time I heard it, I stood thinking as he sang - how many pop singers could last 20 years, without auto tune, without a sex scandal, and could come out drinking a bottle of wine that big, and do what he just did?!
 |
| Eddie and his Magnum |
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