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Big Day out Melbourne 2008 Pt 2
January 31, 2008 – 8:27 am
Ok, here’s the main event. I’m sitting at the airport refusing to pay for net, so this will go up in a few days. I just had to get it out while it is still fresh in my mind.
After applying some fluid dynamics to get through the 10,000 strong crowd to gain access to the front section of the main stage (turning our slim chances of entry to the hallowed D ring into a simple one hour wait in the craziest crush I’ve been in, terrible organization if you ask me). We where in the pit, with 9000 other fans of Rage Against the Machine, and probably 1000 Bjork fans…. the poor girl had her work cut out for her…
So Bjork finishes her set in a cacophony of bass, blips, live brass and a surprisingly booming voice from such a little thing. the bulk of us waiting at Rage’s stage began to grow restless. For the first time in my life, I was about to experience a band with a reputation of a live show not to be missed. Something I’d been hoping for and waiting upon for years. I’d put in the hard yards to get a nice close spot, endured the heat and the dust…. and it was all about to be worth it.
It was more than worth it.
I thought I was at a safe distance not to be caught up too much in the mosh, I could observe the magic of Tom Morello and not be disturbed, I could choose whether or not to enter into what was sure to be utter chaos. I was wrong.
As Zack and the boys walked up on stage, the mood shifted to a euphoria, and when the first detonating chords of ‘testify’ were unleashed upon us, EVERYBODY went balls down crazy (myself included). Rage was back and there was nothing we could do about it except hold on and enjoy the ride.
9000 people that in the instant before were excitedly but calmly standing standing around morphed into a mass of sweat, pumping fists, dust and awe. From my little brothers reports, the 37,000 people who didn’t manage to make it into the D ring were having a good go at causing their own personal Richter 7 scale earthquake up back. It’s being reported as Melbournes biggest ever mosh pit in the media.
I was just swept down front. I found myself 10 meters from the front, with the best views and vibe anyone could ask for. As testify finished, I was afforded a brief respite before bomtrack was launched, causing us to kick up the intensity once again.
Four songs later, my legs were jello, there was sweat mixed with dirt in my eyes, I’d inhaled about a cubic foot of dust and I was feeling every day of 29 years and 11 months old. I beat a retreat for the barrier. As I was exiting the mosh people were slapping me on the back like I’d just survived the 3rd wave of the apocalypse. I’d just had the best moshing experience of my life.
Sitting back on the barrier, with a stellar view of the stage. I can honestly say that Zack De Rocha is one of the most energetic, and passionate frontmen I’ve ever seen. Tom Morello managed to Awe me afresh with his guitar work, the most amazing part being that he managed to do it without actually playing that many notes. It can be safely said that he has revolutionised the way many people around the world think about playing the guitar.
As thousands one fingered salutes joined in with the closing of ‘killing in the name of’ I concluded that all in all, this was one of the best concert going experiences of my life and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
The next blog post will be about what it looks like being a rage fan and a Christian. They may not seem to go together, but in my books they do.
For me, Rage against the machine was one of the must see bands of my generation. I’m awestruck and humbled by the fact that I’m now one of the lucky few to realise that dream.
Here’s a small taste of what went on:
Big Day out Melbourne 2008 Pt 1
January 28, 2008 – 2:50 pm
“I’m too old for this”. Was one of my thoughts. Covered in my and other peoples sweat, choking on the dust kicked up by 40,000 people and legs that don’t mosh like they used too.
I loved every second of it.
Arrival was early, that was good, it was still cool. My mate Andrew and me promptly lost the rest of our group (differing musical tastes) and went on to enjoy the day. the report stated 29 degrees was the max, I beg to differ, I would estimate mid 30’s. Luckily the water was plentiful and free, and there were several points where you could simply stand in the mist of a sprayer and get nice and saturated. I’ll cover a few bands I saw for the day.
Regurgitator: Last time I saw this crew from up north in Australia, I was less than impressed. that was in 1997. This time round, I’m happy to report, they were tight, funky, loud and fun. They don’t take themselves seriously, which is a great thing. appearing in all white tennis gear, they meandered through both their old and new catalogue, keeping everyone happy. I even managed to get some Kung Fu Sing and Polyester Girl into my system. Andrew is right in comparing them with the beastie boys. That kind of happy, not too serious vibe going on.
Anti Flag: The music was solid punk and the delivery was great. They looked like they belonged on a festival stage. They would preach unity, anti war and anti lots of things. Then turn round and either call us ‘brothers and sisters’ or call us all sorts of unmentionable names. They struck me as anti ’something’, but I couldn’t figure out what is was. They are not anti making a boatload of money I guess. I found it interesting that mr lead singer switched his nice endorsement ESP guitar (worth allot of money) for the last song to a nice cheap epiphone, it struck me as strange until in a display of ’spontaneous’ punk angst, the proceeds to smash his guitar to pieces. Really quite transparent and slightly amusing in an “i’m laughing at you because I see right through you” kind of way.
The Arcade Fire: Were their great indie selves. They wooed the Melbourne crowd, if not confused some of them…. Unfortunately I was in the chaos of trying to get a position to see the headline act up close. I could hear them fine but could not see them for much of the show. Hopefully they will tour Vancouver again soon and I can make the effort to get out and see them.
Silverchair: I see this band every few years, and every time I see them I’m sure Daniel Johns gets just a little stranger. The problem is, he’s a brilliant song writer (if not a little too brilliant for popular music), and a brilliant stage presence. Allot of the crowd love to hate him (especially the great Aussie bogan who can’t stand the though of bloke having a slightly feminine voice). This was cause for some nice barb sharing between performer and crowd. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed the set, as I always seem to do when I see these guys. Nice job Boys and orchestra!
Bjork: Brilliantly STRANGE. Easily the strangest thing of the day (more strange than the belly dancing dwarf). She is brilliant, but even moreso than Silverchairs current offering, some of her music is so atonal and dissonant, that it puts many punters off. She actually reminded me of my friend’s daughter Sophia’s occasional performances she puts on for us. She’s completely uninhibited, it’s quite amazing to see. She sings and dances unselfishly and you never quite know what’s going to happen next. This is what the audience was treated to with Bjork. Once again, I garnered some enjoyment out of it, but the bulk of the show as just a little strange for my state of mind so late in the day and so close to the real reason I was there.
There is more to come in post two, including a wrap up of Rage against the Machine. This post you don’t want to miss!
Less than a week
January 24, 2008 – 4:24 pm
Till I head back towards Vancouver, via a few days in Seattle. I’m getting to catch up with some friends in Seattle which will be nice, then ‘if’ snow hasn’t closed the tracks I’m going to try and get the train back to Vancouver. I hear it’s really nice and heaps better than the buss. Plus the border thing is not to bad either. I’m going to have to get a new visa, so any prayers on that would be appreciated. As well as safety for all my stuff and my person while traveling like a crazy man again.
The last week has been a blur. Catching up with lots of people. Seeing people get encouraged by what’s been going on in Vancouver/Canada and I get to be encouraged as to what’s going on here.
I’ve re-discovered one of the great things about being in my line of work this week. It’s having the ability to encourage people to speak out the dream of what things will look like in a few years. I got the chance to ask Andrew from Riverside Church and Raff from DVBC the question of "what will this church look like in July 2010 when I’m back for my next visit?"
It was great to hear big dreams as responses for both of them. I’m hoping and praying that they and the people they lead keep speaking it out and holding God to his word that he will do ‘more than you can ask or imagine’.
It’s a bittersweet thing leaving people like this. I take solace in the fact that I’m partnered with them in embracing what God has for them, myself and my community, speaking it out in faith that it will happen and expecting God to take me further than I thought possible.
That’s all for now, be encouraged, speak wisely, your words are more powerful than you know.
This is sweet nerdular nerdulance.
January 20, 2008 – 5:52 pm
I am told this is a full parts list for an old VW (click to enlarge).
That is all and it’s awseome.
The Vancouver Transit Leprechauns
January 18, 2008 – 2:20 pm
I found this as a comment over vancouvercondo.info. Found it amusing, hopefully all the vancouverites will get a kick out of it.
The difference between Cambie and Broadway in the rapid transit battle:
the premier announced that the rapid-transit UBC line, which I believe I mentioned runs through his riding, will be built by tunnel rather than the trench-warfare mode of construction employed on Cambie Street, a.k.a. The Dead Zone.
Its estimated cost will be a truly breathtaking $2.8 billion in today’s dollars — this, to shuttle the brats of academe to their ivory towers, and then not even during the summer — and is to be funded by pots of gold forced from captured leprechauns, or from your tax dollars, whichever come first.
Why don’t they just take a billion dollars, exert their ‘right’ to some of the endowment lands over at UBC and build some truly affordable housing right near the college for students who can’t afford to help an investor pay off his 1.6 million dollar ‘townhouse’? Would mixing class structures be all that bad?
Goings on 9th-17th Jan 2008
January 16, 2008 – 9:54 pm
It still feels a little strange typing 2008 you know?
So the last week has been great. Finished up in Shepparton at my folks house packing up and deciding what can be sold/thrown out/kept or brought to Canada, I spoke at Diamond Valley Baptist on Sunday night, which was good, picked up a few new prayer supporters and hopefully encouraged people that were there. I also got to play guitar there. That used to be a big part of my life and it was great to be able to be back up there with the team (albeit with some new blood). This weeks been spent interacting with people. Something I love but something that exhausts me.
so just under 2 weeks and I’m on my way back to Canada, via Seattle for a day or so. It will be good to be back. It’s where I’m supposed to be.
I’ll be missing Jacqui a bunch I think when I get back. That’s where it’s normal for her to be around, all our routines will not be there anymore. I guess I"ll just have to go snowboarding to try and forget 
So I wonder what the next 2 years in Canada will bring. I’m excited, a little scared, and totally expecting it to be more than I can imagine on my own. As my most awesome girlfriend says, "God works all the angles".
Musings
January 15, 2008 – 7:52 pm
In my business (A full time urban missionary), I talk to people allot, about a lot of things. This makes me think. and sometimes I like to think out loud. Occasionally I’ll post something here to help us all think.
Why do people get hurt by the ‘church’?
The best thing about the church and the worst thing about the church, is that it’s full of people.
The church doesn’t hurt people, people hurt people. As much as it shouldn’t be this way, it is.
If we operate out of our hurts, leaving the church or hurting other people in turn, (perhaps passing judgement on them) then we’re part of the problem.
So my question is; how do we learn to operate under this seeming catch 22?
John 13:35 (Amplified Bible)
By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].
Photography
January 13, 2008 – 11:03 pm
this is another one of my geek things. I’ve been semi interested in photography ever since taking 2 years of photography under Mr Short in High school. Back in those days, it was all B&W with a Nikon F50 and doing our own darkroom developments. Great fun and I learnt a heap.
The problem with photography is that I’m just so inconsistent when it comes to shooting. For the longest time I had a canon S80, that I didn’t make use of the manual controls, I headed over to a smaller and more automatic ixus model (which are awesome cameras, some of the best point and shoots around). But I find myself missing the manual control thing a bit. I’ve had the chance to play with dads DSLR (digital SLR for the uninitiated). And find myself torn between lugging a slr around the place and my little point and shoot baby that I currently own.
Then I came across this blog post.
It makes sense. so I might have a chat with Corey about it and I head through Seattle on my way home, then I’ll head off to Vancouver where I can take that exact camera and the F1.8 lens for a test drive (currently being negotiated with it’s owner).
Hopefully I can find some new expressions of why I love Canada along the way and share them with you. I am a little scared it will fall by the wayside again, but I guess that’s a risk I might have to take. I’ll do my best to get out and practice shooting as much as I can.
To Recap, this stuff is currently on the wish list. Pending a test drive and my usual 6 month rule about new things like this. If I’m still passionate in six months, it must be something that at least has a chance at sticking!
Peace.
Goodbyes
January 9, 2008 – 9:46 pm
I think after a few months, and packing up some more at my parents house, I’m starting to mourn leaving Australia all over again… It felt a bit strange leaving my parents house this morning. (as a side note, I took a 2.5 hour train ride, so this trip is now officially trains, planes and automobiles). It’s feeling like the end all over again. Lets hope it’s not as rough as leaving was in 2005. Here’s a few reasons why I LOVE Australia (Melbourne and Shepparton particularly). I’ve not got a great stock of photo’s to share personally so I’ve plundered Flickr for these. It’s also a good chance to show off the fancy new lightbox plugin on this blog, click on any of these to see a larger image in some JavaScript fanciness!
I’ll just keep telling myself that it won’t be long till I’m back, relative to the age of the universe. All you who live here, make sure you look after it for me. I might do one of these for Vancouver as well, that would make me feel better.