That was just a Dream

Some photos I took of Cut Copy at Rhythm and Vines:

Tim was the only Cutter to come on stage to help set up beforehand and some guy behind me (who was wearing a Cut Copy t-shirt, he was a fan, obviously...) pointed at Tim and yelled "I can see Dan!"

The whole band was full of energy, Tim especially. They seemed as electrified by their music as we were. I'd seen in an interview with them that they do sometimes get bored of playing the same songs night in and night out, as you would expect, but if they were bored during this performance they certainly hid it very well.

"One thing that I just can't conceive is how to let you go..." (Far Away was one of the highlights of their set)

I never truly appreciated Strangers in the Wind until I saw it live.

Fight!

I didn't see it since I was right up the front, but a friend who was standing at the back told me that by the end of Cut Copy's set, everyone who had been sitting down were up and dancing.

Come on let's get high

Franz Ferdinand will always be one of my favourite bands. I've seen them play twice now and both performances were amazing. Their first two albums were so solid that I have no doubt about how good their third will be. Ulysses is the first single from Tonight: Franz Ferdinand and judging by this song the album will go in a different direction to what they've explored before, but will still be distinctly Franz-ish. I can't wait for January 26. 

Jay from Rebirth of the Cool already posted the official Ulysses video, but here is a great live version of the song:

Walking down Cuba st. today I came across the Teenagers. I had a bit of a weird reaction actually... I got quite angry. Not outwardly, but in my mind I was annoyed at the fact that their album is rubbish and yet they're able to travel the world whereas I know of plenty of other bands who deserve the success more than they do. At the same time I like that they're able to fool so many people into thinking that they're a credible band and that their album is good. With a bit of clever marketing they've found their niche and kudos to them for it. Are the Teenagers the Stolen Girlfriends Club of the music world? I think so.

The French Open

It was a French invasion over New Years when Busy P, Fafi and DJ Medhi came to New Zealand for the Rhythm and Vines festival. Fafi posted some photos of their trip on her blog:

DJ Medhi

Fafi & Medhi

Busy P

Busy P, Ajax (an Australian DJ who also performed at RnV) and Fafi

You can read Fafi's blog over at Cool Cats le Blog

where Busy P, DJ Medhi, So Me and Michael from LA MJC also have their own blogs.

Lucid Dreams

In contrast to last year, my experience at Rhythm and Vines has been amazing. I can't stop grinning from all the happy moments. I want to relive it all over again. Without a doubt, the best New Years I've ever had. I will write a full play-by-play post soon, but right now I am in desperate need of a shower and some sleep. Also my cat has been very lonely without me and is demanding my love and attention...

There's something in the air tonight /// A feeling that you have that could change your life

I'm enduring a 7 hour bus ride tomorrow to get to this year's best NYE's party at Rhythm and Vines. The music officially starts on Monday, but I'm (reluctantly) staying at BW Campgrounds so I'm gonna sign in and party with friends tomorrow night.

I went to Rhythm and Vines last year, it was my last year of high school and it was sort of a last goodbye for my year group before everyone moved away to different unis and while I had an absolutely amazing time (it was the best party I'd ever been to until I went to Camp A Low Hum) I wasn't going to go again. The whole binge drinking culture that is in abundance at BW Campgrounds just isn't my thing. While yes, I love to party and I do often drink more than I should (as embarrassing as it is to admit, but we're all guilty of that...aren't we?) it's just, uh, I don't fit in too well with the whole 'Jock' thing. Last year I went for the experience and I enjoyed it for it it was and I had a great time. I wouldn't change anything.

This year, I was adamant that nothing could make me go again unless either The Presets or Cut Copy were playing. I said it as a joke, I never thought the line up would get as good as it has. There used to be a time when I would be so excited about Big Day Out that I couldn't sleep the night before. That hasn't happened for a couple of years now.

I've already lost sleep in my excitement over Rhythm and Vines.

Looking at the daily schedule, here's where I'll be the next few days:
Monday:
1530 - Liam Finn
1810 - Santogold
1930 - The Kooks
2100 - Franz Ferdinand

Tuesday:
1615 - The Secret Knives
1735 - Connan Mockasin / 1740 - The Phoenix Foundation
1905 - Cut Copy
2100 - Ladyhawke
2230 - Late of the Pier
2300 - Die!Die!Die!

Wednesday/Thursday:
1850 - Over the Atlantic
1955 - Bang Bang Eche
2135 - The Datsuns
2315 - So So Modern
0030 - Disasteradio
0100 - Digitalism

As well as checking out some of the local acts I've never heard of in between those times...

What I want to know, is how this year's RnV line up turned out to be better than BDO? And why RnV have chosen a better range of local musicians, rather than just sticking to the same shitty ones BDO does every year? Surely Big Day Out would know better by now. But then again, apparently the RnV organisers don't really know who Jamie Liddell is, even though he's on the line up. That's worrying...perhaps they're being sucked in by hype rather than what they actually believe to be good? As opposed to Big Day Out who seems to choose bands on the basis of how much money they'll bring in. I love how a lot of the bands playing on the Futureshock stage have been associated with A Low Hum in one way or another.

I've also heard reports that Rhythm and Vines hasn't been very well orgainised financially: first DJ Lotion was on the bill and then he was told they couldn't afford to pay him, some members of the press were given full passes with accommodation and everything and now they only get one night's free pass with no acommodation. I hope it's just teething problems, since this year is the first year they've had the festival on over three nights and that everything gets sorted out for next year. If the line up next year is as good as this year, I'll most likely be going again.

I hope your New Years is as eventful as mine no doubt will be, I will see you in the new year.
x.