Dienstag, 1. Mai 2007, 9:43
So the first weekend at ATP has just been and gone. Not much sleep was had, much Guinness and larger (in combination) consumed. Many, many bands were seen. Curated by The Dirty Three this weekend was always going to be a who’s who of the alternative Australian scene. Here are a few thoughts and highlights from the weekend.
Grinderman are Nick Cave and various elements from The Bad Seeds playing sleazy/dirty rock. Cave doesn’t play the piano, Warren Ellis hardly plays the violin. This is Cave and chums putting themselves out of their comfort zone, though it is still relatively similar to earlier works. First sets were good on the Saturday - a Nick Cave solo slot first, then a Grinderman set to round off the night on the main stage. Both sets featured the same band members, except for Bobbie Gillespie joining the Grinderman band on percussion and backing vocals. He looked off his face.
The solo and Grinderman sets were repeated (with small set adjustments) on the Sunday and the result was stunning. Whether the sound was improved or the band feeling more confident, this was an improvement on the earlier day’s set.
The final act on the first night on the Centre stage was one of the finds of the festival. The former front man of Lift To Experience has the intensity (it’s all in the eyes) which are a warning as to not f*ck with him. There are many songs about the devil, saving souls and redemption overlaid with kilos of distortion. This man has a history – I’m not sure what it is but I bet it’s interesting.
The new album Drums and Guns made up the majority of Low’s set but if anyone was expecting drums machines, synths or samples there may have been a few raised eyebrows. Songs like Sandinista have been written, de-constructed (for the album) and then re-assembled for the purposes of live performance. The results are awe inspiring. The final song in the set, (the single) Breaker, was the highlight leaving the huge crowd that had assembled wondering if what they’ve really witnessed what just happened. Performances this good are rare.
Starting off her set on a grand piano and having a biog (courtesy of the ATP paraphernalia distributed on checking in) with words like “intense”, “emotionally charged” I did expect little. This assumption was very quickly crossed out with Shannon filling the massive room with her superb vocals and (later) aggressive guitar playing. Her moves were equally good too. Anyone who plays a whole song sticking her behind out at an audience and still coming out without p1ssing too many people off has a rare gift. She has a new record out in the coming weeks.
The Drones were (by my ears) the loudest band of the weekend, and also one of the most straight forward. Pub rock, as one of my chalet cohorts described them. I think there’s a little bit more to them than that, and they do have tunes. Front man Gareth Liddiard has a mad look in his eyes and is a good screamer. Shark Fin Blues from Wait Long By The River And The Bodies Of Your Enemies Will Float By is stunning.
After a period of ill health Jason Pierce has assembled an acoustic band with a string quartet, 3 gospel singers, a Fender Rhodes and himself on acoustic guitar. The idea of Spiritualized material played acoustically may not sound appealing but it somehow works wonderfully. A rendition of Ladies and Gentlemen We’re Floating in Space woven together with I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You is heartbreaking.
If I learned anything at the festival this year it’s that Warren Ellis is king. His way with anecdotes about song titles and meanings are pure comedy. Wayne Coyne from The Flaming Lips has a similar ability to put the audience at ease and get everyone on his side. His hypnotic violin playing is equally as good as he sways back and forth attacking what should be a pretty instrument. He also puts a tonne of distortion through it at times. What a guy.
The Dirty Three played two sets on different days with the 2nd instalment being a much improved performance.
There aren’t many weekends as good as this one. Weekend two curated by the fans is the next festival in this series.