The day had finally come, in what has now become Australia’s premier Rock / Metal festival, it was time for Soundwave. In previous years Soundwave has been criticized for numerous things and this year would be no different. After our 2 hour drive from the city out to Eastern Creek we walk out into a wall of heat. After someone mentioned it was 38 degrees in the shade we knew it was going to be a long, hot day.
That didn’t stop the concert goers by any means, they were out in force to hear live music and to see primarily one band and one band only but would have to wait until the end of the day to do so.
As I walked around the huge grounds of Eastern Creek wondering how I would ever make it to all the bands I wanted to see, I was resound to the fact that it wouldn’t happen, so I had to carefully plan my day to where I could be in one place for the longest time without dying of heat stroke. This is what I did. I knew that Anvil was on at 3:40 so off to stage 4 I went, on the way I stopped to hear my favourite ‘Taking Back Sunday’ song, the final of their set which lead straight into the Eagles of Death Metal set, I watched Jesse Hughes rock out for a song or two so that was worth it but I continued on. It was at stage 4 that I got to see ‘Clutch’ a band I never would’ve thought to see, but they were great, and it just reaffirmed why sometimes festivals are a great idea as people get introduced to bands they’ve never seen.
My plan was to talk to a few people to get a feel for the day and to ascertain just who they were here to see. The best place to do that? The over 18’s alcohol area. $8 beers being sold like they’re the last thing on the planet and ice being treated like gold this was where I spoke to Clint from Currans Hill and Shane from Prestons. These guys were the obvious choice as anyone who would sport a B-52’s shirt to a rock festival needs to get a mention. When asked who they were here to see? The answer. ‘Faith no more’ ok, sure, first people I’ve spoken to, surely others would be here for other bands? Shane tells me that he saw them at Alternative Nation back in 1995, gotta love a fan that sticks with a band but it seems that many also have stuck with them, including JD Cook from Dulwich Hill who also saw FNM in 1995 and has been awaiting this day for many years, Alicia from Lewisham, Ziggy, also from Lewisham and Justin from Parramatta, who when asked who he was here to see, eloquently put it ‘Faith No Fucking More!’
There were others who also included FNM but also gave me some other bands. Julian from Leichhardt also wanted to see Meshuggah, Rachel from Oakhurst wanted to see Paramore, Steve from Melbourne was here to see Isis and Yuliana was there to see Meshuggah. It was a breath of fresh air to run into Nikki from Penrith and Jacqui from Campbeltown sporting some rockin’ hats were there to see AFI and All Time Low. I was shocked as the way it was going I wasn’t sure if truly any other bands besides Faith No More were on the bill!!
Being in front of stage 4 at around 3 it seemed that many had the same idea as me, plant there for the day as Lara from Anandale in her Pantera shirt was there to see Meshuggah and Anthrax who weren’t coming on for another 2 or so hours. Tony and Joe from Canberra were going 1 better and wanted to see Anthrax but also Trivium, on the same stage but even later and then they were of course as the entire crowd was, heading over to see Faith No More.
‘Anvil’ were just about to hit the stage, I’d been waiting for this as I’d fallen in love with these guys due to their documentary ‘The Story of Anvil’ as they hit the stage they were on fire, they genuinely wanted to be there, they love what they do. Is it the best music you’ve ever heard? No. But is it rockin’ enough to throw your fist in the air and shout ‘Metal on Metal?’ Yes!! They delivered a great set of their ‘hits’ and Lips was very vocal in thanking everyone for their support and couldn’t believe the fact they were playing in Australia. It was as heartwarming as the documentary. I hope these guys can continue to do what they love doing and we can see them back in Australia one day soon.
It was Anthrax that I headed down for next as I needed to be close for one of the pioneers of metal, mainstays in the business for more years than you can count. Here is a band that still act like they’re in their 20’s, jumping around and having fun with their art. Scott Ian is a pleasure to watch as they ripped through all their hits and more. I was sad in a way that I didn’t get to hear ‘Bring the Noize’ as I was going to pack up and move to stage 5 to see one of the main reasons I was there, a little band called ‘Shinedown.’ Now, maybe they’re a little too mainstream for this kind of festival, or maybe it was just that Placebo were on the main stage but Shinedown would’ve been lucky to have 200 people watching them. My theory is, everyone that wasn’t there missed out. Everyone that was has called them one of the bands of the day. This was evident by Dave Hellman from Christchurch NZ who was here to see the band and pretty much only Shinedown. Stuck in the front row with Erin from Pyrmont, who was saddened that My Chemical Romance had to pull out but very happy to see Shinedown. Todd from Wentworthville and Shannon from Panrith also made it up for Shinedown but were also going to make sure they headed back for Faith No More.
Shinedown hit the stage and it was with all guns blazing and singer Brent Smith in a leather jacket. Now that is rock and roll. Ripping through a short but sweet set list including ‘Sound of Madness’ and my personal favourite ‘Devour’ that showed these guys are a force to be reckoned with. This is a band that have been around for 3 albums now but only just received a break due to their huge single ‘Second Chance’ and when the opening chords were strummed the 200 strong crowd went berserk. A band that sounds better live than they do on record is rare and I now need to add Shinedown to this list. Give them a listen, you won’t be disappointed.
I took a deep breath as I needed to trek all the way to the other side of the venue to make it in time to see ‘Jimmy Eat World’ who were due to start in 20 minutes. I get my spot; I see that ‘Jane’s Addiction’ is still on. I ask the guys in the front row what has happened. It seems that a couple of bands were running late for the day and had thrown the times out. Score for me and I got to see ¾ of the Jane’s Addiction set. I’ve never much been a fan of Perry Farrell’s voice, but hearing him live and seeing his stage presence was just awesome. Plus to see Dave Navarro up there was a little bit cool. Hearing the 50,000+ crowd sing along to ‘Been caught stealing’ was a highlight and something I wont forget in a hurry. But as they finished, it was time for ‘Jimmy Eat World’ to hit the stage. This is a band who had graciously accepted the spot that My Chemical Romance had to vacate. You either love or you hate Jimmy Eat World and from the mixed reviews I heard after their set, it was evident. I personally have seen them a number of times and in talking to the front row before they came on, waiting patiently to see them, these guys were buzzing and ready.
2 seconds into their set I was in heaven, it was ‘Sweetness’ my favourite of theirs, and that was the beginning of a tearing set from all their albums, some gems like ‘Lucky Denver Mint’ ‘The world you love’ ‘A Praise chorus’ and even throwing in ‘Blister’ in the mix were perfect choices. But as they come to a close they finish their set with the big guns ‘Big Casino’ ‘Bleed American’ ‘Hear you Me’ and the crowd pleaser that had them all jumping, using every last ounce of their dehydrated strength to sing along to ‘The Middle.’ Jimmy Eat World are truly a band you do need to experience live and I feel were possibly my highlight of the day second only to Shinedown.
Until. 1 hour late coming on due to the delays, but it was finally time for the band that majority of the crowd was ready to see. It was time to see the ‘Re United’ Faith No More, and that’s exactly what people did, they came on to a reception you don’t normally hear, a reception of excitement and anticipation. It had been a long time since FNM had played together, especially in Australia and it showed. It showed in a way that they knew it had been too long, they were pumped, they were ready and they kicked so much ass that they had to bring in more ass. Mike Patton truly is a perfect front man, he knows how to command a crowd and at one point a security guard who he had spray him with the water hose to cool down. To finally be able to hear a crowd scream ‘Be Aggressive’ was just amazing, pretty sure a moment that many had been waiting for. The set slowed down a little for classics such as ‘Evidence’ and ‘Easy’ a song really not suited for a festival, especially of this caliber went down a treat and I’m sure if Lionel Richie was there to see the thousands of people singing his song that have no idea it is in fact a Lionel song he would’ve chuckled. All the way to the bank…but was instantly brought back up for the brilliant ‘Midlife Crisis’ complete with ‘popcorn’ whistle solo, something I’m sure not many bands could get away with but for Faith No More, its almost natural, if not normal.
One of my favourite parts of a band’s set is when the huge hit is just thrown in early, not saved until the end. As pretty much exactly half way through we got ‘Epic’ and it was nothing but. I honestly have nothing more to say about that you wouldn’t already know other than it truly was a moment I had been waiting for since 1990. Ripping through the remainder of the set, it was almost a blur as they were just so good. I was hoping, as many others were that when they walked off that they’d come back, surely they couldn’t be done. They did come back, as pardon the pun, they cared a lot. They were beyond appreciative of the crowd and absolutely tore the place apart with their closer ‘We care a lot’ it was a spectacle and everyone left with a massively sun burnt smile on their face.
At one point I was hoping to catch the last 30 minutes of H.I.M but as the times had been thrown out, I managed to hear the closing chord of ‘When love and hate embrace’ oh, ok, so that was H.I.M ha ha. Luckily I’d seen them before, but the smaller crowd (because of Faith No More) cheered and it sounded like they got what they came for.
A 2 and a half hour car ride home that should’ve taken 30 minutes didn’t help the stinking hot day and I hope this is something the promoters will take into note in the future. The festival and the bands, amazing! The venue, terrible. It does in a way put a dampener on the day but what can you do? I enjoyed what I saw, and unfortunately there isn’t 3 of me so I could see all the bands I wanted to due to the clashes but hey, it wouldn’t be a festival without clashes. So overall, talking musically, the day was great, and I’d recommend Soundwave to anyone who appreciates a good rock band, let’s see what 2011 can bring. Request number 1. A new venue for Sydney. Request number 2. Poison. Oh yeah, now that would rule!
Essential Information
Venue: Eastern Creek Raceway, Sydney
Date: February 21, 2010
Website: www.soundwavefestival.com
