The.Big.Pink. Still the words of my week.

I know you’ve heard me gush before and I have no doubt you’ll be hearing me gush so much more beyond this. But, seriously, isn’t this like the best thing ever?!

I’ve already been blown well and truly away by The Big Pink’s penchant for covering songs that people wouldn’t even dream of touching for fear of fucking them up and being hated forever. Making each and everyone more superb than the original and filling them with raw emotional beauty. But, c’mon! The Big Pink covering Beyonce?! I’ve reached a state of nirvana right here!

So, Sunday saw me dragging my sick self away from bed to The Metro to catch their first ever show in le city de sin.

The room was full (but surprisingly not sold out, seriously, what is wrong with people?!), with a slightly nervous vibe as everybody patiently waited for the band of the moment to take the stage, all secretly hoping they’ll live up to all our expectations and not shatter our hearts.

Taking the stage, all shy in greeting and avoidant of crowd eye contact before they went up in a thick cloud of discordant guitars and pulsing beats. The crowd’s smiles grew in confidence as they realised they weren’t here to let us down, and let us down, they didn’t.

With a set so chocked full of highlights, it was hard to pin point just one moment. But skimming along the top would have to be favourites ‘Too Young to Love’, a blistering version of ‘Velvet’ which took things well into the red; a fantastic cover of Otis Redding’s ‘These Arms of Mine’, which saw Furze’s vocals finally taking centre-stage tonight and warming even the coldest of hearts. As the crowd stood there still trying to shake off the goosebumps, Furze, Cordell and co pulled the very last trick from their hat and hit us sharply with a perfect version of Dominos before exiting the stage.

With that over, it was off to World Bar to have a drinks and dance away the early hours of Monday morning, where the band jumped up and took the decks for one of the best hour set I’ve seen for quite some time. When Furze’s colourful musical past including a stint with Digital Hardcore pioneer and founding Atari Teenage Riot member, (Sir) Alec Empire. It came as no surprise that his tastes would be full, varied and hit all the right notes and that it did!

But being a Monday and with me being sick still, I had to take my tired feet and sick head home, but not before getting them to sign a few posters to giveaway!

I have a few, so don’t be shy. To be in the running to win one, just send me your favourite cover from The Big Pink and why, remember, there aren’t any wrong answers! J

In a flash of hot pink smoke and 80s inspired imagery, Goldfrapp drop their new clip ‘Rocket’, the first single from their fifth studio album ‘Head First’, set for release on March 19.

Taking a synthsational turn back to the 80s, it’s an addictively simple pop tune. However, I’m still not sure the section of the 80s that inspired them most during the making of this was the part we’d all most like to remember. Think sweatbands, legwarmers and leotards over tights as opposed to lace gloves and big shoulders.

The clip is filled with colour and actually kinda feels like a cross between something we would have expected Kylie to do (circa Body Language) and a choreographed piece from Olivia Newton John from her time reigning over cheeseville!

Oh, and how could I possibly forget the taped-up hostage in her passenger seat? Bringing back the femme fatale not seen since Nina Perrson’s most notable clip fatale to date in The Cardigans’ My Favourite Game and Gwen Stefani in No Doubt- It’s My Life.

I’m still perched firmly on the fence between liking the clip and finding the cheese pop of ‘Rocket’ itself most annoying. From everything the band promised to be at the beginning with Felt Mountain and Black Cherry, to this? I don’t heart it at all! L

Okay, so having fallen well and truly under spell of UK duo The Big Pink over the last year as Dominos took over the heads and hearts of every dancefloor worth treading on in 2009. Then discovering their cover of The Cure’s Love Song (done for an NME Cure covers compilation), was one of the most well-executed, timeless pieces of heartbreaking perfection I’d ever heard.

You can imagine the pure teenage hysteria that ensued as Handsome Tours announced they’d be doing the honours of bringing them out to our shores for the first time, late last year.

Now after patiently marking down the sleeps left on my calendar, the time has finally come for their much anticipated first Sydney show on Sunday. If that wasn’t already enough excitement to take in, they’ve also just announced an uber-exclusive post show DJ set at World Bar.

To make sure you’re one of the lucky 200 to trash your way well-into your Monday as the guys hijack the decks along with SVU (of Lost Valentinos), Chicks Who Love Guns, Warhorse, Alvin from Saint Augustine Academy and The Salvagers, you must RSVP to the FB event, found here:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=369293301070&ref=nf

Don’t say you weren’t warned!

The Big Pink in Sydney: Sunday March 7 – The Metro Theatre, then on to World Bar for some exclusive and cheap post-show love!

As promised, I have a very special guest blog for you, as Nik Valentino (of Lost Valentinos) takes on the second Sydney Big Day Out with a camera in tow to depict the unfolding events of the day, through his eyes.

With the rapid extremes in weather, 43 degrees with barely any breeze, to being pelted with rain and even a few seconds of hail (which was enough to force The Horrors offstage, only a few songs into their set), it really was a day to endure!

Here we have a colourful behind the scenes peak of Nik’s most notable moments:

So the summer festival season is well underway and the list of upcoming festivals is still continuing to grow.
With the addition of the iconic dance music brand Creamfields set to be launched on our shores this year.

The first of the line up has just been released and for what it is, doesn't fail to disappoint me thus far.  Along in the first announcement came: The Bloody Beetroots with Death Crew 77 their six-piece live band, Steve Angelo, MSTRKRFT, Ferry Corsten, LMFAO, Dave Clarke, Marco V, Green Velvet, Dirty South (fresh from Coachella 2010), Kid Sister, Joris Voorn, Lifelike, Riva Star, Tommie Sunshine, Bingo Players, Filo & Perry, Zoo Players and Oh Snap! Okay, so it's not the worst line up in the world, but considering Crea,fields is one of the biggest brands in the world and the reach they have after ruling it in the UK year after amazing year, it sure is the weakest first announcement line up of the year!

I mean, where's Hot Chip? Where's Club 75 (the Cassius, Ed Banger crew for those not up to scratch), where's Delphic, Tiga???

First cab off the ranks comes courtesy of these guys, so keep an eye on the dial!
This has to be one of the most addictive singles of the year so far!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12zJw9varYE