This year the Big Day Out was rather disappointing, especially in terms of the Boiler room. There wasn’t anyone really huge, like the Chemical Brothers, and although Soul Wax / 2ManyDJs were headlining, I couldn’t help but feel a little let down by the whole affair.

Sounding like a cross between early Joy Division crossed and Devo, the Presets rocked the Boiler room with live drums and synth player. They remarked on how today they had one of the biggest crowds they ever had in Adelaide, which is always a good sign for a budding live outfit.
John Ferris played hard dance, which is not music to my liking, especially that early in the day, but he played it well and the crowd were definitely up for it, with lots of party people boogying to his set. Vitalic were a very welcome surprise, playing some really good tunes in a techno vein. Live techno always sounds good, and I thoroughly enjoyed this set. It was definitely one of my highlights.

Although I enjoyed Wolf Mother on the big stage, and they played most of their big tunes, including Apple Tree, Woman, Joker and Thief and Minds Eye, and played them well, when I saw them last year I appreciated the more intimate feel the smaller stage provided.

I thought Kid Kenobi was rather pedestrian. His set today didn’t seem to have the punch that it has in the past. Having seen him on New Years Day may have tempered my feelings, but I’ve heard him play much better sets. However, he certainly got the crowd dancing, buoyed by MC Sureshock busting some excellent rhymes on the mic.

Sonic Animation were a last minute addition to the Big Day Out, and I’m glad I got to see them, even though they have meant to have called it a day. The cheeky Mylo sample at the beginning of their set was pretty cool, and shows they’ve still got their sense of humor.