Bass in The Grass 2007

Well, I got back a little over an hour ago from the awesome Darwin music festival known as Bass in The Grass - and, wowie, let me tell you something; it.. went... OFF!

Gates opened at 11am, but I didn't get there until a little after 1pm - Melbourne group Mammal were tearing up the stage with the Rage Against The Machine-esque music, getting the crowd going something brilliant. The dual-stage system was in place, like with the main stage at the Big Day Out - one band on this stage, then a band on the next stage (so the roadies can set up for the next act while another act is performing), so while Mammal were playing, I headed to the other side to await a live performance experience that was looooong overdue. The crowd started cramming in, all keen to see the next act, and when they came on stage, the place went nuts... yup, my hometown heroes - the Hilltop Hoods. They're no strangers to the festival circuit, and no strangers to the NT heat, either - and they did such a solid set. Playing mostly tracks from The Hard Road, highlights were Recapturing The Vibe, Nosebleed Section, Clown Prince, City of Light and Dumb Enough. They brought a 4-piece string section from Sydney with them, also - which really brought to life some tracks, I think. Everyone was jumping around and having an awesome time. It was hot as fuck, as it was 2pm, and the sun was right above us, but it just added to the intensity and awesomeness of the whole thing.

During all the performances, the security guards were continuously hosing down the moshpit. It was done for two reasons, obviously; to make sure people dont pass out from heat exhaustion, and it's also a form of crowd control. But, the crowd was very well behaved, for the whole day, really. There was a little bit of a break of bands after the Hilltop Hoods, so I went and got a bottle of water and a yiros to eat.

Okay, let me describe the venue to you; it's the Darwin Ampitheatre - which is a natural hillside that causes awesome acoustics for bands playing at the bottom of it. Also, because it's a hillside, it ensures that no matter where you stand, you'll pretty much always have an awesome view. So, I sat higher up on the hill and ate my yiros. While I was eating, female cover band Young Divas came on stage - and their songs were enjoyable. I had finished eating, and decides I might as well go back down to the stage and get amongst it all. Also, I figured it'd be cool to be at the barrier for Shannon Noll, just for the hell of it. While I was down at the stage, I really got into the Young Divas. Their set was so much fun, and everyone was dancing. The Darwin crowd is so starved for music, that they'll dance/mosh/crowd-surf to anything. Yup, people were crowd-surfing to Young Divas. You could tell these girls were hot, too - especially that Kate (can't spell her last night... tuck-shop arms?), she had a dress on with a big neckline and a push-up bra... huge sweaty tits... added to the enjoyment of the set, really. They took off their shoes and came down to the crowd and got amongst it during their set. They were loving it, really. It's obvious that they never have and never will again have a crowd like that to perform to.

Shannon Noll was next, and while I think he is a laughable excuse for a singer, I figured his set would be enjoyable, anyway. But... nup. Opening with Lift and singing all his bogan-ballads like Learn To Fly and What About Me?, his set was boring-as-hell, and crap because he is obviously a wanker. During the set he took off his vest, and performed the rest of the set topless. Anyone who takes their shirt off when they know heaps of people are watching them are wanker, in my opinion. Some things were thrown at him, to be honest.

Next was a local Darwin band called Enth Degree, and I was keen to see what they were like. But, despite getting the crowd going even before Shannon Noll's set (people were actually chanting "ENTH DEGREE!" during his degree), and the strange into to their set where the lead singer wore a balaclava and typed on a keyboard, before smashing it on the stage... they failed to impress me. Strange metal music that never really went anywhere (y'see, I need music to go places). So, I grabbed a bottle of water during their set. I was going to get a couple of beers (the bars opened up at 5pm - which was a smart move, I think), but the line was MASSIVE. So, I opted not to.

TZU were on after Enth Degree, and they were great fun, just like the first time I saw them (opening for Butterfingers in '06). The Melbourne hip-hop/funk group put on a great set, with them throwing in little freestyles about the weather, etc. The crowd didn't know what to think of them originally, I think. I heard a lot of people asking "Who are they?", and it was very interesting that they got billed to be on at that time, while one of the biggest groups in the country, the Hilltop Hoods, played 3 hours earlier. But, the crowd slowly warmed to them, and by their closing number, the infectious She Gets Up, everyone was jumping around like they'd been fans for years.

Little Birdy was next, and I worked my way into a good spot slightly between the two stages, so I wouldn't really have to move for the rest of the night. Keep in mind that the security guards were still continuously hosing up down, even thought it wasn't really hot anymore - so, everyone is wet and the pit smells like an old unwashed sock. Little Birdy put on a good show - the lead singer, a female, has a good stage presence. While she may take her performance a little too seriously, she is still great. A lot of "Show us your tits!" from the audience, but I guess that goes with the territory of being a female singer in a rock band. Opening with the awesome Come On, Come On and going through all the hits, even a Gyroscope cover, the highlight would have to be their closing track Dead Bodies - great rock song, and the crowd loved it.

On next was Behind Crimson Eyes - and I wasn't really looking forward to them. Y'see, I'm not really a fan of "screamo" music.. and that's exactly what these guys are. Screamers. The lead singer would try to scream over the top of the heavy guitars and drums, and the whole thing just sounded a mess. Even the Darwin crowd didn't know how to react properly to them, I found. Why this band was 3rd highest billed, I have no idea.

On after them was my favorite Aussie band of all time.. the band that I've seen 3 times previously... the awesome Eskimo Joe. I knew they wouldn't dissapoint me. They're currently on their Beating Like a Drum tour, and that's the track that they opened with - and it was sooo good. I've become a big fan of that song lately, and I'd been craving to hear it live for months! They then went into Sarah, and that was great, too. Then Comfort You, which I'd also grown very fond of in the last few months. They pumped out all the hits - except nothing from their first album Girl, which is a shame. But, their newer material is first-class stuff, also. Other highlights from their set would have to be Older Than You and From The Sea. Those songs never get old.

While Jet were the closing act... I decided it was time to go. My cousin that had taken me there was feeling a bit sick, and with Jet being shit last time I saw them in February at the Big Day Out, I figured I might as well leave. But, the entire day was awesome. The Northern Territory has much different concert crowds than back home. I guess, like I said earlier, they're just so starved for concerts up here that they're gonna try to make the most out of what they've been given. I, for one, had a great and very memorable time. The weather, while hot, was a "fun" kind of hot - and I'm glad I got sunburnt, because who the hell goes to Darwin and doesn't get sunburnt!?

Anyway, I've vowed that I shall come back to Darwin next year to attend the Bass in The Grass festival again. It's just so much fun, and Adelaide only ever has the Big Day Out - so now I'll be able to go to two music festivals in a year!

So, yup, thanks to the Northern Territory Government for putting on this awesome festival. I know they're trying to prove to promoters, etc that the top end is a good place to play a show, and that it should be placed on the regular touring schedules. Keep putting on festivals like this every year, and no doubt bands will start flocking here!

**** out of *****

~Film-Fanatic