Laneway 10

Following a disappointing day in 2009, Laneway Music Festival 2010 had a new look and a new location at Footscray Community Arts Centre.  Bright and early (though not too early) fans flocked to Footscray station to walk their way to the festival gates in already searing heat.

Arriving fashionably late due to the chronic disorganisation of the Indigo photographer, and an uncanny appreciation on both our parts for the Loop stations, we arrived in time for the new cool kids on the block, Mumford and Sons.

Riding on the success of their single Little Lion Man, Mumford and Sons drew a big crowd that braved the mid day sun.  While personally unfamiliar with the wider set, the crowd danced and sang along to the first songs.  It wasn’t until their famous song began to play, however, that the crowd erupted in jubilation and a mass stomping of feet.  It was unfortunate that the band experienced some technical glitches afterwards, and some festival goers left early in favour of other bands.

Moving on to one of the stages beside the Maribyrnong, which was blowing a pleasant breeze, we witnessed a band with a fearsome live reputation, Eddy Current Suppression Ring.  With punchy punk riffs, and distinct Australian accented vocals, the band had those with sightly heavier tastes moving in time with what were fast, tight songs, of little more than two minutes.

Resting briefly, looking for some reprieve from the heat, the indigo team searched for food and drink.  Twenty dollars, one cider, half a fish bite, and three chips later, we moved on the third stage.

English band, Wild Beasts, had everyone entranced by tight guitar led music, coupled with bizarre falsetto singing from two of its members.  While certainly not conventional, the young band pulled a large crowd that appreciated the strange performance.  Being from northern England, the band seemed to relish the hot weather, and said as much in between songs.

American rock group Black Lips, that are as famous for getting boozed and naked as they are for their music, showcased a pop inspired punk show, that included elements of country and blues.  Pleasing to a similar audience as Eddy Current, this band from the States certainly put on an energetic show, all the while showcasing what is possible from a punk band that isn’t restricted by lack of imagination.

By this stage, all those in the know were making their way back up the hill, to watch one of the more famous Australian acts.  Dirty Three, while older than most of the bands showcased on the day, was not lacking in a younger audience, as well as a loyal older following.  Playing only guitar, drums and violin, Dirty Three challenged the standard four piece rock band set up, and challenged any one who was listening to reconsider what form rock ‘n’ roll can take.

With empty wallets and tell tale signs of heat stroke the Indigo team sat down to watch Florence and the Machine in the dying Saturday light.  Delighting audiences world wide, and nominee of the prestigious Mercury award, Frances, as well as the Machine, put on an extraordinary performance of fantastic singing and bizarre dancing that had the exhausted crowd entranced.

Despite the busy day there were countless bands whose performance we missed.  After having seen snippets of bands such as The Very Best, The XX and Radioclit, it was clear that Laneway festival had catered for many tastes.  It was disappointing to watch people talk loudly through performances, which detracted from the atmosphere of the day somewhat, especially during bands such as The Dirty Three.

Though Laneway is still experiencing some problems, the major issues of 2009 had clearly been resolved for this year.  Showcasing a stellar line up, the large crowd could not help but celebrate the summer weather while listening to some of the more successful bands from near and afar.  Whilst we were perhaps all to blame for a lack of cohesiveness as music lovers, the cost of beer on the day, really is down to some other guy.