Future Music Festival. A day synonymous with fluro-wearing hipsters dancing off their drug intakes on a racecourse. But it turns out it’s a pretty fun day, too!
Well, that’s once you actually get into the venue. By the time I arrived at Central, lined up for the bus to get to the venue, gotten to the venue, got told that I was at the wrong side of the venue, walked for 40 minutes, lined up for another hour after being blocked off by the Police from entering the ticket pick up queue several times – I suddenly missed pretty much the entire day at Future Music Festival. It was, without a doubt, the worst organisation I’d ever seen at a festival – at least for someone who had to collect a media pass. It seemed far more straight forward for the rest, so let it not alter your own perception.
But that said, once I finally made it in, all that nonsense was left outside, and I ended up having a fantastic, albiet short, late afternoon/evening at the Royal Randwick Racecourse. The atmosphere was surprisingly wonderful, too! I caught a few DJs to start off my day, and enjoyed some of the offerings at the Silent Disco tent. It’s a strange way to party, especially when there are two different audio tracks to choose from. And it’s even better watching the party without the headphones on. But there is something pretty damn cool about it all. And to go from that, to a rollerskating rink, showed just how much effort had gone into providing a little something for everyone.
The set up of the festival was unique, too (this was my first time at Future). It was essentially split into two halves, with a long walkway separating the two. All the aforementioned funfair was in one half, alongside the grandstands, and the main stages were on the other. It never proved any difficulty in walking between stages, and I didn’t have any trouble in seeing the acts I wanted to. Franz Ferdinand were the first artists of note who I enjoyed, as the hot sun began to fall behind the stage.
They launched straight into “This Fire” with “Ulysses” and “Do You Want To?” Coming in right behind. Surprise entrant “Auf Aushe” came in fourth, with “No You Girls”, “Dark of the Matinee”, “The Fallen” and “Do You Wanna?” rounding out the set. It was short but sweet, and showed that the band have maintained the power to draw a large, enthusiastic crowd, singing and dancing along to every song. It helps, of course, that they’ve been lucky enough to pull out hit after hit in this country!
David Guetta followed, and was the act that most was obviously here to see. I, however, was not, and returned to the Silent Disco to get my dance on. With The Prodigy ending out the day, there was an unfortunate clash with Booka Shade and Does It Offend You Yeah? I chose the Prodigy, but caught a bit of DIOYY? too. I was surprised in how much I enjoyed their stage show. “Battle Royale” was an early highlight, after which I made my way over to the main stage.
Seeing The Prodigy live is an experience that few bands can match. The energy from crowd and band alike is akin to a death metal concert – with glow sticks and/or half naked bodies replacing the chains and spikes, at least in this social circle. The set wasn’t without its problems, however – technical difficulties forced the band to leave the stage half way through the set. Unlike most festivals, however, the organisers were quick to notify the crowd what was happening by the monitors. It almost makes me think it was planned…
And when the second half of the show proved twice the intensity of the first, you might agree! “Voodoo People” came on immediately, followed by “Invaders Must Die”, “Smack My Bitch Up”, “Take me to the Hospital” and “Out of Space” appropriately closed out the night. It was ridiculously fun. There truly are few bands who can bring it like The Prodigy, and they proved a rewarding experience for anyone who came along. Many of whom, no doubt, were among those who couldn’t get in to the boiler room at Big Day Out to experience them in 2009.
I left the venue and ended up walking to Fox Studios with several other guests, once again reminded of how much effort it took getting into the venue. Because it was taking almost as much to get out! But while I spent more time out of the festival than in it, I left Future surprisingly satisfied. There was something ultimately rewarding about going to such lengths to Silent Disco, Roller Skate, Prodigy and Franz the day away. But would I go through it again? You’ll have to ask me next year!
