Future Music Festival 2.03.13
Doomben Racecourse
The gates and the heavens opened at Future Music Festival 2013, with thousands of music-lovers determined to brave the elements and let loose to some of popular and electronic music’s famous maestros.
The rain was steady as the crowd filtered in – unfortunately due to the gates opening time of 12pm Australian dance/dj duo Bombs Away were only allowed ten minutes to perform as their set start time was also 12pm. Strutting around the Mariachi stage they powered through with their most well known hits such as ‘Party Bass’, ‘Big Booty Bitches’ and closing with ‘Supersoaker’ – their songs infectious, slightly ridiculous but a perfect start to kick-off the atmosphere. A shame they weren’t able to play the full time of their allotted slot.
Over at the Future Music stage Belgion dj’s Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike kept the energy up, choosing to play remixes rather than their own original beats. Their set – whilst not overly memorable, still kept spirits afloat despite the deluge, playing ‘Paradise’ by Fedde Le Grand and ‘Sweet Nothing’ by Calvin Harris before dropping them into their own heavier remixes. Even ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ got the treatment – keeping the heavy but danceable theme unchanged but getting the job done before Australian twins Nervo seamlessly transitioned to the decks.
It wasn’t just the crowd who were subjected to the elements – as Ellie Goulding strode on the Mariachi stage she too was pelted by rain but carried on her set (Rita Ora would soon experience a similar scenario). A microphone glitch saw her voice unheard for the entire first song but this was soon fixed, and she was given a great reception by fans of her quirky, light electro-pop sound and high-pitched tone. Unfortunately the weather got to this reviewer and I had to seek shelter, otherwise risking pneumonia.
Rudimental did a groovy set back on the main stage with their four-piece ensemble – playing their recent hits ‘Not Givin In’ and ‘Feel the Love’ without any major changes to their recorded tracks but still putting in a solid show. But it was the act following that garnered the most curiosity – Psy, the K-Pop superstar was about to perform his first Australian show. Clothed in a bedazzled sleeveless suit, he hoped that this show would be an opportunity to introduce the crowd to some of his other hits before he inevitably played Gangnam style. Starting with tracks reminiscent of 90’s r’n’b, the crowd weren’t really enthused – noticeably it seems as in the middle of the third song he announced that he would play Gangnam Style twice instead of finishing his set – to which the everyone perked up. It was always going to be a gamble whether the audience reacted favourably to completely Korean songs they’d never heard, however perhaps more familiarisation with future sing releases may help with Western crowds.
Steve Aoki then put on a brilliant set, showman that he is, spending more time running around throwing cakes at the festival-goers and abusing a smoke machine than behind the actual decks. Playing some hits from his new album ‘Wonderland’ as well as some old favourites (Warp, Pursuit of Happiness), he closed one of the best sets of the day by taking a leap from the Channel V Stage Dive set-up. Aoki’s mixes extend far enough beyond the generic that they have real personality – usually aided by the distinct vocals of his collaborators. His own obvious love for his trade and stage presence allows his shows to be infected with his energy.
Unfortunately headliner Aviccii was announced as cancelled during Dizzee Rascall’s set (a stomach bug I’m told) however Future’s line-up was strong enough this year to ensure that this wasn’t the be-all and end-all of the night. Despite the weather making it a real slog it was certainly a line-up of the world’s best electronic/dance musicians – bravo to the team for providing quality and keeping everything running smoothly even through mother nature’s fury.
– Danielle Muir
