But the reason I let these slide is
because there was always a band or two that I really wanted to see.
Not this year. I know it's just one announcement, but is there
anyone out there for whom this is a dream line-up?
Neil Young, despite having a terrible
voice, will be an interesting show and worth seeing as he will
probably never make it back to our shores again, but as headliner? He
is perfect for a mid-afternoon political protest sing-along with some
always fun anti-Bush sentiment in the sun and I think it will be a
great show, like Billy Bragg earlier this year, but when he's your
leading man, there are serious issues.
The other big name, Prodigy, will be
making their fourth obnoxious appearance here. I thought the point of
the BDO was to bring new international acts who we haven't seen
before. They are the BDO equivalent of how we always have Concord
Dawn playing here during Orientation. Find someone new.
However, I should be careful there
because if by "new" I mean "latest one hit wonders who we will
never hear of again", the result is the god-awful Ting Tings. They
belong at Edgefest, not a respectable festival like this one.
So, humble music writer, what are the
good bands? Well, you have veterans The Living End (although also on
a fourth appearance, they are ok because they are not headlining),
Arctic Monkeys, TV on the Radio, and if you're a bit emo then
Bullet For My Valentine. All these guys are perfectly fine and suited
to the BDO, but none are big enough to be a major draw card (Arctic's
are close, but certainly no Tool). My Morning Jacket are fine, but
haven't there been enough folk-indie (god I hate using that word as
a genre) bands you've never heard of already?
Last year's line-up was not amazing,
but it did have Rage and Bjork, two acts who know how to put on a
show. I doubt Young can match their levels of energy, but I would
like to be proven wrong. Prodigy will, of course, but since I have a
strong belief that the main stage's main act should be a rock band
(I'm a traditionalist), I will be giving them a miss to check out
the smaller stages at that time.
Listen to this line-up: Muse, Kings of
Leon, The Strokes, Metallica, The Mars Volta, The Dandy Warhols, The
Flaming Lips, Basement Jaxx, Black Eyed Peas, and Peaches. The was
just 2004. How far the standards have dropped in 4 years.
What about 2000? Foo Fighters, Nine
Inch Nails, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blink-182, Basement Jaxx, The
Chemical Brothers, Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros, The
Hellacopters, and more. Those were the glory days. What happened,
BDO? You used to be so cool.
So still questions remain: How will the
BDO regain my faith? When did Rhythm & Vines become the best
summer festival in the country? What will I get for a birthday
present now that I don't want a ticket?
Well, I know it's too soon to lose
all hope seeing as we have a couple of announcements left, but I can
only hope they are leaving the best for last, otherwise my biggest
reason for going will be the rides.
I have so many fond memories at the BDO
and have attended about 7 or 8. I have met interesting people, tried
new things, seen bands I would never have even heard of otherwise,
met up with old mates, and I have never had a bad Big Day; they have
always been fun. Even with the weakest of line-ups there is a gem of
a band that surprises you. Little Birdy, Le Tigre, Thursday, Arcade
Fire, even System of a Down were all first discovered by me at this
often magical venue. But these are all secondary to the main purpose
of the day: to be entertained by a band/performer/group that really
captures you. And sadly, this year just does not cut it.
Please make the next announcement
better. Please.
Subscribe to this comment's feed