Better Vibrations

Sunday brought warm and sunny weather just in time for the 2007 Good Vibrations Festival in the glorious Swan Valley locale of Belvoire Ampitheatre, what I’d consider the perfect venue for any late-summer outdoor gig. The fantastic line-up didn’t dissapoint – and Cut Copy took my vote for most danceable live gig, they didn’t set a foot wrong. Jurassic 5 drew a huge crowd, and rightly so, the weather, the crowd, and the atmosphere were just right. They seemed to think so too, exclaiming, “You know, Perth, I just love this bowl thing you’ve got going on."

For me, the only disappointment of the day was Cassius, playing a heavy and straightforward techno set that seemed to borrow nothing from the filtered French house sound I associate with them. The tent was heaving, but I wasn’t feeling it – so I traipsed across to London Elektricity. I had completely forgotten how fucking great Drum and Bass can be. Perth has a killer scene, and I think it’s time to start getting back into it.

The Beasties have an extensive back-catalogue and it showed, you tend to forget just how long they’ve been pumping out songs until you hear hit after hit after hit. Nothing amazing, but I’m glad I caught them before their zimmer-frame tour.

Although the sun set too early on this year’s Good Vibes, I pity the fool who misses it next year. Sure, it’s no Coachella, but that’s part of the attraction, isn’t it?

Posted in Flatbeat on Wednesday February 21, 2007.