Big Day Out 2011

This year I scored a free ticket to the Big Day Out through work.  I love free things!!

I downloaded the iPhone schedule application – I planned out who I wanted to see (more than once) – I packed my survival kit.
Matt – who I know through work – came along with me and all we had to do in return for the tickets, was to tweet and pic our way through the day. Simple!

I didn’t check the weather forecast though.  And I should have known – the standard BDO weather forecast is hot – muggy – sunny – muggy – drizzly – muggy – wet.  And thats just how the day worked out.

Right from the start, the organisers seemed to have nailed this one.

There was water available everywhere and plenty of loos.  Both of these things are pretty important to me.
We looked at the queues for the R18 Age Identification bands and they were massive.  We decided to leave it til later and when the time came, we were in and out of the tent in a minute-ish.

The line up this year had only one act I really really wanted to see – and that was Lupe Fiasco.
This year was a good chance to get around and see some shows that I would not have chosen but were there so why not?

Surprise acts for me were;

• Bang Bang Eche – not my kind of music but its hard to say they are not talented kids
• Jim Jones Revue – lying on the grass at the Green Stage eating lunch and head bopping along to some crazy country
• John Butler Trio – never listened to a full song but I will know.  Completely blown away by the solo’s
• Rammstein – who cares if I have no idea what you are screaming about – you stage show raped my eyeballs and I allowed it.  Holy freaken shit!!!

And in the ‘bit of a disappointment’ corner

• Iggy and the Stooges – Probably more my fault.  I didn’t know any of what they played.  I should have gone and stood in the pouring rain at the Naked and Famous instead of cowering in the dry
• Tool – BORING! None of you moved, your frontman stayed at the back with an attitude the size of the stadium and I yawned the entire way through

And finally – never to be beaten

• Shihad – always bring it.  We love you.
• Lupe Fiasco – even better than I hoped!  A wicked show – energetic, with all my favourites and more

Tara’s Tips for BDO2012:

1.  Girlies – if your short shorts feel like they are cutting you off at the waist or about to split you in half up your whowho, then yes – they are too tight.  Just because your little friend wears them, doesnt mean you should.  Choose something comfortable and flattering.
(Friends – we dont let friends out the door looking like that).

2.  Bring one of those granny looking plastic ponchos for when it rains.  It will.

3.  See a few things without knowing anything about the bands.  More often than not, the surprise is worth it.

See some of mine and Matts tweets and pics and a great summary of the day on 3 News:
Big Day Out – live updates – Story – Entertainment – 3 News.