Claremont Showgrounds, Perth

People often say a year is a long time. In the case of when the 365 days making up a year is the difference between one Big Day Out and the next, it seems an eternity. Last years BDO had everything a young man like myself could hope for, The Vines, The Killers, Muse and Tool. I didn’t think it could get any better. And then came 2008.

Most people would be wondering what the fuss is about. A few local bands that have been smashing themselves at the BDO since the day dot, a crazy, photographer bashing Icelandic chick and a reformed mid 1990’s political band. However, the appeal of that 1990s reform, namely RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE was the catalyst for this year’s trip. Having first heard ‘Killing in the name of” on Triple J when I was 10, one of my lifelong dreams was to see these guys in concert. What better place than here, what better time than now!

The day started with a couple of cans of Export and a choice between British India and Operator Please. With Anti-Flag due on after Operator, it was decided to head down to the main stage and see what these ping-pong playing teenagers were up to.

The crowd was quite enthused with the catchy tunes that were being played first up, and most were more than happy to have a dance and a bit of a jump up and down. However, the lyrics lacked any real depth, and the audio was basically the only saving grace.

The second most anticipated show on my list for the day was Anti-Flag. Keeping with RATM’s views of corporate greed and anti-war, the flag set out on a tirade of anthems based around sticking the middle finger up at those who run America. Playing a vast number of tracks from their latest album, such as ‘This is the End’ and ‘One Million Dollars’, Anti-Flag kept the crowd enthused. At one point a sizeable circle pit opened up, which I won’t deny being involved in, and it was here that the day had well and truly begun.

Trying to catch my breath, I stood to the side as Faker took the stage, and they kept going where Anti-Flag left off. These guys have to be the hardest working band in Australian music. To see lead singer Nathan Hudson climb the awning of the stage, and hanging off at his own peril was the bands admission to fans that Faker were here to play, and continue the trend of being the festival band not to miss.

After Faker it was 40 minutes of standing around waiting for Regurgitator. Not being a massive fan of electro music, it was hard to get into the Midnight Juggernauts set. Nevertheless, the jugs had a great following, and even though their set would have been much more appropriate in the boiler room, they were certainly appreciated by most.

Over the past 10 years, the Gurge have grown a cult following, and it’s easy to see why. Quan and his three friends never leave the audience wanting any more. Dressed in all white, they hit the stage running, and entertained the crowd for a good 45 minutes with their larger than life presence. The new addition of a synth has enhanced their on stage performance. However, as I had promised to myself pre big day out, I turned my back to the stage when ‘Polyester Girl’ was played, their only song that I have never appreciated.

It was then a choice of life or death – leave the D to go and catch Pnau or stay in the D and put up with the rest of the acts until Rage played. My boyhood idols finally won out, and it was with great regret that I missed out on what was, by all reports, an amazing set by the east coast DJ/MC duo.

Next up – Grinspoon. After coming out and admitting to being hard on with the drugs for a few years, Jammo showed no signs of relapsing, with a truly great performance behind the mic. Grinspoon have been one of the greatest festival bands ever produced by Australia, and they did not disappoint. Playing a lot of tracks from their previous two albums, the crowd knew what was going on, and created quite a decent moshpit. In hindsight, it would have been smart to have the grinners playing before Rage, for a bit more excitement.

After doing my fair share of moshing, I took the time to chill out, and enjoy the experience that was Arcade Fire. Having never listened to a song by this 7 piece extravaganza from Canada, I was swept away by their musical talent and stage presence. Definitely a band I would like to see again, Arcade Fire played long and hard, and without a doubt earnt a legion of new fans in the hour they had on stage.

The day before I had been on the plane from Adelaide to Perth with Daniel Johns and the Silverchair boys, and I had said my prayers that their set would be something worth seeing. Unfortunately, this was not to be the case. Being a staunch old-school ‘chair supporter, little of their current albums interested me, and it wasn’t until ‘Israel’s Son’ and ‘Freak’ were belted out that I got anything out of my 60 minutes at the blue stage.

As silverchair ended, Bjork started. It is hard to imagine such a quaint little lady bashing photographers and reporters, but the power of Bjork is not one to be discounted. As the sun began to set, and the lights began to take effect, the beauty of this performance shone out, and even though the majority of the dreadlocked, long haired, black t-shirt wearing crowd were waiting for the red star to rise, many could appreciate the phenomenon that was Bjork. Then in a flash of light it was over, and the cheering began …not because of the Bjork set, but because of what was up next.

The five minute interval seemed like forever, and the tensions were building. The stage was set, the backdrop, the Zapatista flag, a black flag and a red star shone out. The lights dimmed, a Stalin like enterlude rang out, and then the words that everyone had been waiting for – “Good Evening, we are Rage Against the Machine from Los Angeles.” And my lifelong dream was almost complete.

It took about 2 bars of their first song, ‘Testify’, for the crowd to go absolutely mental. Having been to many a show, this was something different. People were pushing, jumping up and down, singing, some with tears in their eyes, some with their hands on their heads, trying to take in the enormity of the occasion. Not even a speaker malfunction could dent the power of testify, with the crowd singing the entire second and third verse as all that could be heard was the bands fold back speakers. After quickly rectifying the problem, they swung into ‘Bulls on Parade’, and luckily there was no failure this time. Saying little throughout their set, they reeled off ‘Guerilla Radio’, ‘Bombtrack’ and ‘Sleep Now in the Fire’ to raucous applause.

Old school RATM fans were in for a treat, with Evil Empire classics such as ‘Tire Me’, ‘People of the Sun’, ‘Vietnow’ and ‘Down Rodeo’ all getting airtime. Pleasing to see was Tom and Zack enjoying their time on stage – Zack’s grin never leaving his face. It was truly a case of a band really having a good time…far from what had been the case for the most part of the last seven years.

After ‘War Within a Breath’, the lights dimmed and RATM left the stage. However it was obvious they were coming back. The song that shot them to stardom still hadn’t been played.

Surely enough, about two minutes later they reappeared, and got straight into Freedom. Zack’s voice rang out loud and clear, and I found myself choking back the tears as I screamed with him ‘YOUR ANGER IS A GIFT!.’ Next was ‘Township Rebellion’, and then a song that needed no introduction.

If there was ever a moment that truly brought 20,000 people together, it was that last song, ‘Killing in the Name’. Never had Perth seen such a physical, sweaty moshpit like this. Never had the residents of Claremont, and any authority figure had “Fuck You I wont do what you tell me” yelled at them that many times. It was loud, it was angry; it was Rage Against the Machine. And it all ended too soon. But everyone left the Claremont Showgrounds on the third of February 2008 having witnessed something that will last in their minds forever.

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