Big Day Out Perth '06

The BDO '06 was received dubiously this year; many questioned the line up with much conviction saying it was weak, while others were happy just to enjoy good music. True '06 lacked the big draw cards other years have boasted but that didn't stop the other acts rocking the stages.

I started my day by watching Youth Group. They played to a small audience, the cost of playing early in the day I guess; it was a good set but fans weren't too lively. The audience didn't really get into the mood until the now very popular ‘Forever Young' cover was wheeled out, it seems the audience were also fans of that hideous US TV show. In any case Youth Group put in a solid effort and I was happy that their set included Shadow land.

Next on the list was Gerling on the Orange stage. Again the only let down was the subdued crowd, even the pit looked sad for the most part despite Gerling rolling out huge beach balls and scantily clad women. Music here too was good, the boys know how to perform and deliver a well put together live show, pity the audience didn't respond.

I had almost lost all hope in the Perth fan base when Mudvayne stepped out of the shadows. This was truly the decider for me, if the pit didn't move for these guys then surely someone had slipped something the water. Nothing could stop the energy of the crowd when these guys rocked the stage; there were people jumping fences and, regardless to the best efforts of security, people bull-rushing their way into the pit. Mudvayne kept slamming down the tunes and we the audience kept picking them up. This was the day's saving grace, the first real pit of the day (of what I had seen) and about time too.

Oh glorious Wolfmother. These guys have won a lot of fans since emerging onto the scene in 2004. The crowd really got into this act, the pit was heaving and people were packed tightly up against the barricades. The masses were warranted because this group can really cut it, their music is excellent and their live show rocked. And the hair… well ‘nough said.

OK now for a little home grown talent; End Of Fashion. Let me begin by saying I'm a little bias on this one because I am a certified fan but all that aside End Of Fashion were awesome. Again the audience was a bit of a let down with the whole "I'm really cool just standing in the pit with zero movement" attitude but this didn't stop the good music. The guys put on a really tight show and I still jumped around, they even brought out Katy Steele for ‘Oh Strain' and did a cover of The Red Sun Band's Devil Song. It's good to have them home.

Now three time veterans of BDO, The Living End brought to the stage their experience and their extreme talent to deliver one of the best live acts Australia has to offer. High impact and high energy, the boys really give it their all and the crowd responded well. With a good mix of their old work and their new The Living End owned the stage and gave reason to why they have become music festival regulars.

Now what can I say about Iggy and the Stooges? Well for starters lose the Iggy. Sorry to offend any of you who are fans but Iggy had nothing I wanted. Don't get me wrong, his band was excellent, guitar work supreme but Iggy just did not cut it. Putting aside the fact that he looked like he had been electroplated in denim Iggy just squirmed on the stage and looked awkward. I'm not sure if he has lost his style or if it has just dated but it doesn't work anymore although I must pay credit that the pit was moving. The music the stooges produced was of top quality but it was brought down, I feel, by the Iggy.

Now many had told me that the White Stripes were overestimated and let me tell you that that judgement is wrong. The White Stripes were excellent live, and this from someone who is not the biggest of fans. The sheer versatility of this band was amazing, from guitar, acoustic and electric to piano to xylophone, yes that's right xylophone, The White Stripes made good. The duo succeeded in the headliner spot playing to a packed arena and giving the BDO mainstage good closure with an encore of Seven Nation Army showing us all that they deserve their acclaim.

So here we are at the end of another Big Day Out and I am satisfied with the acts at least. One thing I will say though is that we as an audience didn't give it our all, we stood idly by as big acts rocked the stages and tried their best to incite us. It is now our responsibility to step it up a notch and enjoy the good music on offer. This was The Big Day Out 2006.