2009 Concert Reviews: V Festival Melbourne - KAISER CHIEFS

I'm back again revisiting the V Festival. I absolutely loved the Kaiser Chiefs' set which was amazing because of the enormous amount of energy they put into their performance which gave us all something special. The band, led by Ricky Wilson were consummate showmen whose excitement fed into ours and vice versa. We danced when Ricky danced, screamed like girls at a Jo Bros concert when he ventured into the crowd and ohhhhed and ahhhhed when he was climbing the scaffolding towards the side of the stage I was rocking out at.

The setlist was a full assault of their great indie hits and the band as a whole sounded right on, like a band that knew they wanted to get the whole crowd off. The crowd felt this and my brother and I sang our little hearts out along with most of the audience. Even those around me who were really hanging our for The Killers were like these guys aint bad and were ready to buy their records. I have to say with the benefit of hindsight they were on equal footing with The Killers in terms of setlist, performance, environment and band presence and charisma. They certainly held their own and are worthy of headlining festivals in the future. COME BACK SOON GUYS!!!

Setlist is as follows:

1. Spanish Metal
2. Everyday I Love You Less and Less
3. Everything Is Average Nowadays
4. You Want History
5. Ruby
6. Good Days Bad Days
7. Na Na Na Na Naa
8. Love's Not a Competition (But I'm Winning)
9. Modern Way
10. Never Miss a Beat
11. I Predict a Riot
12. Take My Temperature
13. The Angry Mob
14. Oh My God

Photos:
Photos © 2009 music=loveHEADLINERS - THE FANTABULOUS KILLERS are next!

2009 Concert Reviews: V Festival Melbourne - RAZORLIGHT

I'm back with Razorlight's set. I got a bit distracted with a few other things so I couldn't get it up right away. I have to say they are an awesome band and I was really into them about 5 yrs. ago but I got distracted with a number of other Brit bands e.g. the Kaisers who I honestly thought were better.

However, seeing them now reminded me why I liked them in the first place. I was a big fan of 'Up All Night' and 'America' from the second album but that was really it. I don't know any of the songs from their latest 'Slipway Fires' which was released at the end of 2008 but luckily they played a lot of their older stuff which got the most cheers anyways. I went nuts like a real fan girl when they played 'Golden Touch' and 'Up All Night'...it made me very happy. Johnny Borrell is an excellent front man...heaps of charisma and just the good ole' dirty rock and roll attitude. The rest of the band were in top form so Johhny could do his thing but I do think a lot of their sounds similar and that is maybe why I haven't been so interested in what they were up to. But I do reccommend that you see them live as they certainly deliver on stage. Should I get the new record? Can anyone tell me if it is worth getting?

Overall, totallly worth seeing but I guess I would have said the same thing if I had been to the Kills instead who I'm sad I missed but I did not want to give up our second row spots. Well photos below... KAISER CHIEFS NEXT!!!!!!!
Photos © 2009 music=love

2009 Concert Reviews: V Festival Melbourne - DUFFY

The Melbourne leg of the V Festival was last Saturday and boy, did my bro. and I enjoy it. This festival is way underrated in Oz as it seems to be more laid back than say the Big Day Out. It obviously does not have as many bands as many other festivals do but if the quality is there, like it was this year than I don't care. Remember quality over quantity. I got to see 3 great bands in a row in a great position. V is for over 18's only which seems to attract less (not all) dick heads who are there to ruin other people's good time rather than just chill and enjoy some good music.

We got there fairly early as I wanted to go see Duffy. I must say she was very good. I love her record but I didn't know how she would sing it live because the sound the album has a lot to do with the way it was produced. She had an amazing backing band and these two twin back up dancers that had the same hair, makeup and outfit which just added to the 60s throwback. I was very impressed and wouldn't mind seeing her solo show with just her fans. She didn't get as large a crowd as she probably would have gotten in Europe but I think she enjoyed herself. By the way, the crowd up front was full of diehard fans which is not unusual in the festival setting, but I think she managed to convert some of those punters that were either casual fans or strolling by. Piccies below...

Photos © 2009 music=love

After Duffy we had a 2 hr. break so we caught a bit of Elbow from the stands and it was good. I haven't really heard anything from them except for their brilliant cover of U2's 'Running to Stand Still'. We left early to go to check out Jenny Lewis who was playing on the same stage as the 'Big 3' (Razorlight, Kaiser Chiefs and the Killers) and this was the perfect opportunity to get a good spot near the front, and we did, and this remained our spot for all 3 bands' sets. She was actually really good and it didn't feel like we were just buying time until Razorlight took the stage. She held her own even though many people, including us did not know who she was. I must get her album as she has this country and folk sound but still very contemporary which I like.

Anyways, I will update each act in separate posts with pictures so look out for RAZORLIGHT next!!

Loz

V Festival 2009

Yo, I am heading off to the V Festival this Sat and am super excitied...yay for me and boo for you...nah, just kidding. I will review the sets of the bands I actually see. In case you didn't know the line up it is as follows...

The Killers
Duffy
Razorlight
Madness
The Human League
The Kills
Kaiser Chiefs
Elbow
Snow Patrol
..and many others...

I will probably be missing the Kills who I really want to see but my bro who will be with me wants to see Razorlight...ohhh...the decisions! This is the problem with festivals there will always be some band you will miss. I probably will miss Human League too as I want to be front and center for The Killers. Anyways, watch this space as I'll post piccies and video (if you are lucky)!