ONE of the best days I've ever had happened on Friday.
All week the weather promised rain, and I had almost resigned myself to the fact that I would have to wear a raincoat until we arrived in Auckland. However, it became clear that a quick application of sun block and a hat would replace my heavy coat, thanks to some brighter weather.
This was a first Big Day Out for me, and what a day it was!
Thousands of music-loving ticket holders braved the hot sun and crammed into Mount Smart Stadium to hear over 70 artists perform from five open air stage arenas and several dance rooms.
Although it would have been impossible to hear them all, the organisers made some good decisions with timetabling, and most of the performances I wanted to see were available.
First band on the 'orange stage,' at 11.30am, were New Zealanders 'Deja Voodoo,' whose old school beer-drinking rock tunes bellowed out into the appreciative crowd, and set the atmosphere for the day.
Fellow kiwi artists 'The Checks' following on the 'blue stage' turned the tone down a notch and impressed fans and first-timers alike with their smooth evocative anthems and rock ballads. Vocalist Ed Knowles' frenetic dancing and bouncing enthusiasm held the audience's attention.
A short hot shuffle through the people maze to the 'green' stage was rewarded with Australian rockers 'Eskimo Joe' who introduced the gathering to songs from their latest album 'Inshallah,' ending on a high with crowd favourite 'Black fingernails, red wine.'
'Jet' was up next on the 'essential stage,' firing up the multitude of fans with their raging rock sounds and intriguing lyrics. This was followed by yet another rocking Aussie band, 'Powderfinger' back on the blue stage.
At that point, moving from the spot was not an option as the mass of fans in the surrounding area was now in the thousands. Talented cheeky Brit's 'Dizzee Rascal,' and 'Lily Allen' and thrashing psychedelic T-Rexish artists 'The Mars Volta' entertained the excited throng for next three hours.
The final 'blue stage' act for the night 'Muse' wowed fans with their amazing stage show and well-loved classic and progressive rock and electronica, leaving the crowd buzzing with enthusiasm.
There were many artists I was grateful to see, a number of acts I wish I had seen, and many I've never heard of before. The whole experience opened up a whole new world of music to me, and I would recommend going to anyone who loves music.
Winners of the Big Day Out free ticket draw run by the Stratford Press were Dennis Jones and Owen Muffett, both of Stratford.
A very big day out
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