Live Review: Big Day Out

BDO 2013 proved to be a huge bounce back to form for the nation's most loved festival, with FOAM as the first stop on the expedition for Drum's lone dingo; that is after watching a bunch of robots sound-check their instruments, but more on that later. No signs of openingactitis for the three-piece as they had the Vans Pavilion well and truly alive with a very good set of K.C. influenced grunge.

Dead Owls received another great turnout for the first act on the Red Stage, and deservedly so, as the set was an absolute ripper from the visceral two-piece, seemingly as natural as any on the big stage. As Rainy Day Women took over, there were plenty of heads nodding to some now familiar tracks. Looking round the festival at this point, it became clear the BDO is in good hands, thanks to the huge support from young punters getting down early and treating locals with the same respect and fanfare they do the internationals.

In chase of some heaviness, Every Time I Die obliged, tearing the main stage a new one by forcing the crowd into some huge circle pits, and shout-outs before the opportunity to explore the grounds paid dividends immediately as a glance over to The Lillypad provided the sights of a man carried Superman-style above the heads of a nomadic crowd to some cheesy techno beats. One can only assume that man was Tomas Ford.

The Boiler Room was starting to approach a good size crowd for Sampology as a journey back past The Lillypad proved a good move as the stage was in the early rounds of an “arse painting” contest to a soundtrack of Fleetwood Mac. The transformation of Against Me frontwoman Laura Jane Grace was briefly witnessed en route to the Green Stage for blues/soul posterboy Gary Clark Jr. who was everything imagined, and more. Man, can this guy sing, and shred. Two-piece heavy power-pop act Jeff The Brotherhood had an intriguing sound thanks to their three-string guitar split through a bass amp, before intrigue was given a whole new meaning through the aforementioned robots Compressor Head playing real instruments, covering tracks such as TNT, God Save The Queen and I Love Rock and Roll; can robots really love anything?

From a band of robots to the main stage for Band Of Horses who laid a beautifully soulful, Hammond-infused Americana entre to Vampire Weekend who no doubt were a highlight of many, their big singles absolutely killing the rapturous crowd despite the sun at its punishing peak. Speaking of highlights, Alabama Shakes lived up to the hype with their laconic, ragged soul before the sunset-set of Foals absolutely destroyed. Both brutally heavy and intricately beautiful (and always funked-up), the set is unlikely to be beaten this year for many. As if any more was needed, the Red Hot Chili Peppers closed the main stage in sensational style. Refusing to stand still (handstands included), the band ripped through a hits-heavy set of all the biggies (bar Suck My Kiss), showing no signs of their age whist treating the muso's in attendance to regular display's of virtuosity through some amazing solos, interludes and extended jams.