10 Tips For Surviving Big Day Out 2014

Our reviewer, Jade Davis, heads to the Gold Coast leg of Big Day Out 2014 for a taste of what’s in store for the rest of the country!

1. Don’t Be Alarmed, It’s Not the Ghost of Freddie Mercury

It’s just Bluejuice in skintight, chest-exposing gold jumpsuits and ’70s porn star moustaches. The Sydney-based rock/funk/pop four-piece are known for their outlandish onstage outfits, props and behaviour, and yesterday’s spectacle on the Gold Coast was no exception.

Strutting, climbing and bouncing around, the boys of Bluejuice left little to the imagination as they thrust out hits like Vitriol and Broken Leg. Their choice of attire was partly explained by a gigantic banner erected behind the band that read, “Bluejuice 4 Gay Marriage.” They were briefly joined by the men from Art Vs Science, who mimicked their peers in risqué choice of dress. There was really no better way to launch the Australian run of Big Day Out 2014.

2. Take Your Mum or Younger Sibling, They Won’t Feel Out of Place

This year’s lineup seems to have attracted a dichotomy of those belonging to the mature age bracket and those belonging to what one might label the “immature age bracket,” and a noticeable decrease in the amount of brusses will likely enhance your enjoyment of the festival’s attractions and amenities to a considerable degree. Though it’s advised that you keep an eye out for the high-cut booty shorts worn by most underage females and shield your parent and/or sibling’s field of vision accordingly.

3. Open Your Hearts and Learn a Thing or Two From Grouplove

The warm words, beaming smiles, and endless energy of LA-based indie rock outfit Grouplove will fill you with a positive power that you’ll want to spread to your fellow moshers. Big Day Out has developed a reputation for attracting a rowdier bunch of festival-goers (this year was arguably no exception) but a little kindness can go a long way. Just share a little sweat, do a little dance, and enjoy a little Grouplove.

4. Check Out the American Indie Acts with the Funny Names

…you might just find your new favourite band. Two of the festival’s most progressive acts, Portugal. The Man and Toro y Moi, represent two very different styles of music, but both deserve a scribbled Sharpie circle around their names on your BDO timetable. Representing psychedelic rock jams and slick chillwave arrangements respectively, each are stand-outs in their home genres, and both are best enjoyed with an iced tea and an open mind.

5. Locate the Real Bathrooms and the ‘Free Water’ Stations

Big Day Out’s new Gold Coast home at Metricon Stadium and Carrara Parklands is a certified winner, if only for the numerous sparkling havens of waste disposal available throughout the arena. The organisers should be praised for the equally appreciated oases found at the water tanks. These watering holes will prove useful when you inevitably retreat from the scorching summer sun. The stadium’s tiered seating is another advantage over the event’s previous venue at the Gold Coast Parklands. There’s plenty of room for the sun-stroked and sweat-soaked to rest-up and rejuvenate.

Gallery: Pearl Jam – Big Day Out 2014, Gold Coast 19/01/14

Photos by Rebecca Reid

6. Pelle Almqvist of The Hives will Bring the Lols

If you have indeed exposed yourself to too much sun or perhaps have overdone on the overpriced, mid-strength alcohol, the notorious onstage banter of The Hives’ lead singer will bring the light back to your eyes and kick a laugh into your chest.

At one point, Almqvist hailed rapper Nelly of Hot In Herre fame as our generation’s Nostradamus for his on-point weather prediction. Punters attending upcoming BDO 2014 stops can look forward to similar quips and showmanship in between each of the band’s energising garage rock anthems.

7. Keep a Coin Handy

If you harbour even mildly eclectic music taste, be prepared to toss a coin to navigate the heavily overlapping timetable. You’re better off seeing a full set than shuttling around just to take in one song. Although the clashes are disappointing, the wealth of first-rate acts littering the lineup this year is guaranteed to satisfy the musical appetites of most.

8. Remember: Snoop Dogg’s Name is ‘Snoop Dogg’

When the gangly rap icon asks “What’s my motherf-ckin’ name?”, it’s best to come prepared with the correct answer. Despite of his recent indecision regarding which animal family he wishes to belong to, Snoop Dogg will profess his love to you and your country repeatedly if you sing his original name.

Whether it be the colloquial Snoop Doggy Dogg or the extended falsetto inflection during Drop It Like It’s Hot, both will suit him fine. You might also want to brush up on your deceased gangsta rap legend discography, as a number of covers will certainly be performed. You don’t want to miss the opportunity to twerk along. Fo’ shizzle.

9. Arcade Fire. Full. Stop.

Ten-piece touring band. Choral-style sing-alongs. Arm-waving goodness. Euphoria-inducing string arrangements. Confetti canons. Simply impeccable talent and grandiosity at its finest.

10. Wind Down with Pearl Jam

Reflect on the big day out you just had with a group of 90s rock veterans. Slower acoustic numbers were frequent throughout their marathon 2.25 hour headline set and the double encore finisher, which included a cover of Neil Young’s Rockin’ In The Free World. It’s a perfectly decent way to tie up another year of stellar summer festival fun.

Stay tuned to all the action from Big Day Out 2014 at our special Feed!

Gallery: Major Lazer – Big Day Out 2014, Gold Coast 19/01/14

Photos by Rebecca Reid