As people excitedly began waiting in line it became apparent that it would take A LOT longer for those who bought their tickets through Moshtix compared to Ticketmaster. Luckily I was with the latter and got in straight away, my friends were not so fortunate and missed the highly anticipated performance by Cloud Control.
Despite having seen Cloud Control many times at various venues this was probably their best gig. Their performance led by the frontman Alister Wright was fresh and energetic, and as usual the impeccably dressed Heidi Lenffer was mesmerising as the sole female of the band. The highlight of the set was no doubt Gold Canary with a bit of improv thrown in.
Perhaps Cloud Control really do possess some magical spirits with their music as after their set wrapped up the heavens opened and it continued to rain the entire festival. Luckily I brought my poncho which I purchased two yes ago (yes I’ve been lucky enough to attend sunny festivals during that time). Here I am in my cool poncho!
It was great to finally see Hot Hot Heat live as I have admired this band from afar for the last couple of years, and they did not disappoint. I also swear that the guitarist was checkin me out (he totally was!).
After a bit of Ladyhawke we schlepped it over to the River stage for Tame Impala, who have really tightened up their festival performances. Pretty much every song they played went down a treat.
It was tricky to decide between The National and Public Enemy, but with the weather starting to put a dampener on our festival spirits we opted for Public Enemy as after their Field Day efforts we were guaranteed a good show. They didn’t disappoint and I think it was even better with the rain. Flavor Flav gave the same sermon again rousing the crowd.
While waiting for Interpol to don the stage dj Baio played music to keep the crowd interest. By this stage everyone poncho and sans poncho were soaked and it was really starting to get chilly.
Even thought Interpol were mesmerising with their music we had to call it a night halfway through the set as it was just too wet for us. Lucky for me a kind young man carried me across the small river that had appeared at the exit making it rather difficult for us to cross.
On day two after praying to the gods for some relief of the rain, these wishes clearly went unanswered as it continued to bucket down the entire day. Thus we postponed our trek to the festival which unfortunately meant that we missed out on a few bands such as Children Collide.
Upon entering through the festival gates we were faced with mud and slush as far as the eye could see. After mocking the people wearing big, heavy wellingtons at the beginning of the festival boy did I feel silly, and dreaming of my starry gumboots sitting neatly in the corner of my room far, far away in another state. At least we had picked up plenty of wet weather supplies with double the poncho! It was like a rainbow of ponchos, with almost everyone utlising the dodgy plastic.
After stocking up on beverages it was time to hit the music scene and first up was the Peaches dj set. This was amazing and exactly what you need when it won’t stop raining at a festival. Playing awesome tunes accompanied by back up dancers in odd outfits certainly got the crowd moving.
After a brief viewing of slightly lacklustre Washington we had to move on to Joan Jett. Washington could certainly take a leaf out of Joan Jett’s live performances as Joan totally brought it. Kicking off with Bad Reputation it just got better with Cherry Bomb, I Love Rock and Roll, Crimson & Clover and Do You Want To Touch Me. Whether it may be down to the recent release of THE RUNAWAYS film or there were a lot of Jett fans it was a highlight of the festival for me. That lady is a show woman through and through and knows how to get a crowd going!
It was then time for the headliners, The Klaxons. They received a huge reception, however the sound was a little disappointing so it was difficult to truly appreciate their performance. After hearing all my fav Klaxon tracks we quickly hopped over to the Yacht Club DJs at the Hibiscus stage. One of my favourite dj duos in the country they had sympathy for the audience who were dancing in the rain and mud, and made it a hell of a lot easier with their outrageous mixes. I love those crazy boys!
Although there may have not been any sunsets at Sunset Sounds this year it was still a good one in which I discovered new music and had fun dancing in the mud. Can’t wait to do it again next year!
And for your musical pleasure I present Ms Joan Jett!!
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