Festival comes out of the laneways and into the big time
THE indie gods were not just smiling on this year's Laneway festival, they were positively beaming.
How else do you explain the perfect alignment between this event and its selection of alternative artists many of whom are enjoying massive but understated cult followings around the world. Others are on the verge of breaking through globally or in Lorde's case just been crowned the queen.
Brisbane was the first Australian destination for this 'boutique' festival that is set to dominate the Australian music landscape over the coming years as its makes ingrained events like Big Day "over and" Out look like a tired old grandparent relying on commercial big names for headliners while trying to play catch-up in the exploding indie scene.
Laneway -- which sports the official title of the St Jerome's Laneway Festival - this year delivered a seamless day of buzz bands and artists from around Australia with an astute international selection from the UK and the US.
Leading the charge globally was Scottish synth-pop trio Chvrches whose growing presence in this country was felt courtesy of the thousands of supporting vocalists who mouthed and grooved their way through the set much like their parents would have done at a Depeche Mode or Yazoo concert.
Tiny Lauren Mayberry had no problem commanding a presence with her perfect pitch vocals flanked by her upbeat colleagues hammering away at their stacked keyboards.
On the flipside the Haim sisters from California grew up on a diet of their parents' 1970s classic rock and Americana records which was obvious once the uninhibited trio's big bang of heavy rock/R&B/folk started slaying a new generation as they channelled the energy of Zeppelin and The Who on their instruments while delivering to the crowd with the swagger of Jagger and fortitude of Janis Joplin which isn't surprising considering they were just named the BBC's Sound of 2013.
Then there's the high-priestess of this festival line-up - Lorde who secured the largest crowd of the day.
Her hypnotic beats and jerky dance moves teamed with those now internationally recognisable vocals as they were wrapped around compositions that make you forget she was born at the end of 1996. The timing was exquisite in all senses and the crowd appreciated their good fortune.
Also riding on a wave of Australian love was Vance Joy who was clearly humbled by his recent successes.
Taking out Triple J's coveted Hottest 100 poll on Australia Day saw such adulation for the overwhelmed Melbourne musician he had to announce, "this is the biggest crowd he'd ever played to" - honest appreciation that wasn't lost on the throngs who were waiting for his finale Riptide.
Laneway was a virtual jukebox of progressive sounds pleasing the niche reveller as well as those looking for the next big thing.
The four stages (two indoor/two out) were offering a heady combination genres from the jazz infused dubstep and hip-hop of UK contradiction King Krule to the kick-arse vocals and pulsating sounds of London's post-punk all-female act Savages.
Australia's Jezabels finished off the huge main stage line-up with their signature disco/rock sounds while psychedelic heroes Jagwar Ma's trance beats necessitated in the only execution of crowd control as the indoor stage reached capacity.
While the phenomenon of Laneway and its shrewd line-ups are starting to gain momentum and act as predictive measuring sticks, if there was one notable trait its tarot card hand indicated on this occasion it was the next wave of music to fill your i-Pod is likely to have females front and centre.
WHERE LANEWAY ALL STARTED
- The St Jerome's Laneway Festival began life in Caledonian Lane in Melbourne back in 2004.
- The festival was originally conceived by Jerome Borazio and Danny Rogers, who held the event following a period of booking bands for the now defunct St Jerome's bar. This led to the "Summer Series" events and were followed by the monthly night, entitled "Brains"; the inaugural Laneway Festival was held shortly after.
- The festival then expanded to encompass Sydney in 2006, Brisbane in 2007, Adelaide in 2008 and Perth in 2009 in its annual schedule.
- Predominantly an indie music event, the festival has grown rapidly in popularity in Australia over the years and has since added Auckland (2010) and Singapore (2011) to its tour. It made its North American debut in Detriot in the US last year featuring Sigur Ros and The National.
