HAVE MERCY ON US
Well that’s it - the end of the BDO 2011 tour.
Ah Perth - what a day huh.
The bush fires weren’t the only things going crazy. All you folks at the Boiler Room were out of control. And not all of you in a good way.
I’m not sure if it’s the Perth pingas or the ridiculously expensively rack you guys have, but you were all mental at the Boiler Room.
Firstly half way through Bloody Beetroots set the stage manager had to stop the band and tell the crowd to look after each other otherwise the band would be forced to leave the stage completely. Everyone boo’d. Seriously are you all retards? He wasn’t pulling them off? He was just asking you all to be kind to each other because some people were getting crushed down the front. He’s just looking out for YOUR safety you twits.
The Bloody Beetroots are easy to lose your shit to though. Again they were incredible. Probably the highlight of my tour. Especially when Lupe jumped on stage with them and Refused’s Dennis (who was on the tour to sing 3-4 songs with them each set). If Dennis looks familiar that’s because he also started that band The International Noise Conspiracy. Anyway it was certainly a great moment and encapsulated what the BDO is all about - random artists appreciating each other’s music and wanting to collaborate in the name of fun. It was unreal. And Lupe was just so excited and into it. He wasn’t one of those high profiled names that comes over just before his songs and then nicks off straight after he’s done. He was there at the very beginning of the set rocking it out from side of stage and stayed until the entire band walked off stage. He’s a true fan. And who knows maybe they will be recording something together?!
Lupe was also a true gentleman on stage. He graciously thanked all the crew who make BDO happen and acknowledged those who had driven 25 hours straight to get everything from Adelaide to Perth to make it in time for gates at 11am. It’s a pretty amazing beast the BDO. At 4am the day of the show the trucks roll in like a crazy end of the world scene. Then at 11am it’s all set up for the punters. It’s really extraordinary and you need to be a special type of person to work on not only any festival, but the BDO in particular. It’s such hard work and long hours and I’m not quite sure how they all do it. Most of them don’t even get to see any bands. I’ve only seen a small slither of how the people make the show happen and it blows my mind.
Apparently it was the last show for LCD Soundsystem who announced their retirement. However I have to say I heard James Murphy say they were retiring last album and whatdoyouknow - he’s still touring. It’s a real shame if they are because they are such a great live act in addition to very talented pop song writers. The songs were great and the energy was excellent. I kinda wish the entire band would get some overall style though. James and the Asian have it down - even the white beret multi-instrumentalist kinda has it right. The others just look messy.
Till from Rammstein stood next to that other guy in Operator Please who’s not the drummer at Die Antwoord. And even Sia came and checked out a bit. So apparently Die Antwoord were so inspired by watching Rammstein that whilst in Melbourne they went into the studio and recorded a Rammstein inspired song. And if you were at their side shows in Melbourne then you would have heard the debut of this song. They performed it at the end in the Pokemon costumes.
Die Antwoord were at the after party for about 5 mins. In and out with Ninja heard saying “This is fokken stupid”.
Andrew Stockdale maybe peaked a little too early at the after party - he decided to push everyone he could into the pool, with Duckpond copping it first. He was seen running for Brad from The Vines but Brad’s a quick guy and got out of there fast.
Also seen:
Lovefoxx from CSS seen dancing closely with Mike from Ratatat.
Till trying to push a dirty skank into the pool.
MIA even turned up to this party and early. But maybe that’s because she got the hell out of that site quick! After going on stage late, she was forced to cut her set short due to sound restrictions just as she was about to play Paper Planes. All you high folks at the Boiler Room decided it would be really smart to start pegging bottles and well anything really, at the stage. The unfortunate thing about this is a) it’s not going to change the noise restrictions laws and b) people fucking get hurt you dickheads!
Speaking of dickheads, Plan B decided it would be cool to a) get into a fight with the stage manager and then b) throw a punch at security. I hate seeing artists in this sort of light - it ruins the music for me. When you know they’re actually just stupid bogans dressed up in suits in the middle of summer, it kind of makes you see them differently and also changes your perception of their music. After meeting Kings of Leon at their first BDO when they were hardcore sluts who rated all women and before they had Victoria Secret models as girlfriends I got a little turned off their music after meeting them and hearing all about how hot they are and how much they score - from them.
Anyway I think I should be super lazy (I am tired and hungover after all) and write an awards list for this year’s tour to sign off.
FYBDO 2011 ANNUAL AWARDS
BEST LIVE SHOW: Has to go to Rammstein. I mean c’mon. They have fire, pyro, glitter, sequins, walking machines a huge dick that Till rides on across the front of the stage. Plus they all get together and bow on one knee at the end. Now that’s a show.
FYBDO HIGHLIGHT MOMENT: Lupe Fiasco joining The Bloody Beetroots and Dennis from Refused on stage in Perth. A-MAZING! Followed closely by Rammstein joining Tool on stage in Adelaide and burning not only their drum kit but all their best and most expensive mics they used to mic the kit up. All turned to ash
BEST FESTIVAL FASHION: Ashley from Operator Please with his Tom Ford / Sailor Boy look. HOT! And the singer from Bloody Beetroots with his studded denim vest.
THE GENTLEMAN’S AWARD: Jim Jones from Jim Jones Revue. What a charming man. Close 2nd would have to be Heath from Children Collide.
BIGGEST BLAH: Plan B
MOST PISSED ARTIST ON ENTIRE TOUR: Plan B
BIGGEST TRIPPER: M.I.A
MOST UNDERRATED BAND ON BILL: The Greenhornes
UNSUNG HEROES: All the BDO crew
LEGEND AWARD: Iggy Pop followed closely by Bobby Gillespie
GRUMPIEST GUY: Nick Cave
BAND THAT PICKED UP THE MOST: We all know this answer - Rammstein. If you were one of the “lucky” ladies who had the pleasure, I hope you had protection. It still might be a good idea to go for a check up regardless.
HOTTEST LADY ON TOUR: Tie between Andrew WK and Iggy Pop’s wives
MOST TALKED ABOUT: Arse painting at Lilyworld
FUCK I HOPE THEY STICK AROUND AWARD: Die Antwoord
Alright that’s it. I’m out. Thanks BDO for another wonderful year of music and memories.
Until next year Australia…
XO FYBDO
