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A notably smaller crowd filed its way around Mt Smart Stadium on Friday January 16 for Australasia’s premier music festival. Headlining this year was veteran rocker Neil Young, a surprise choice which aimed to pull older music fans, but risked deterring younger fans. As it turned out, Young was one of few highlights as unenthusiastic bands struggled to impress an uninterested crowd. Well that was my take anyway!

Most the early bands were unremarkable, although Clap Clap Riot were an early highlight, with catchy upbeat songs. The Naked and the Famous were the first of many indie bands to disappointed, particular as the sound was so poor. For many bands of this genre the bassist had an awful distortion effect on their set up, while the guitarists abused a lineup of pedals. Either that or the sound guy hates indie bands. What might work on a studio recording doesn’t necessarily sound good live.

Not just awful on the radio, the Ting Tings were best avoided live. With few options we headed to the main stage to check out Welsh metallers Bullet for my Valentine. An unexpected breath of fresh air, Bullet for my Valentine offered a reprieve from the uninspiring indie bands that dominated the event’s bill. The sane were safely tucked away in the stands, far from the mayhem in front of the stage. As if possibly the largest circle pit ever wasn’t dangerous enough, for the final song the vocalist asked the crowd to part through the middle, before giving the word for the insane to close the gap in a hail of fists and feet.

The boiler room leaked onto the main stage with Pendulum reminding non-ravers that drum and bass hasn’t changed much in the past decade. The fluro-clad masses were pleased nonetheless, with a huge hands-in-the-air crowd filling most of the football field getting their groove on.

TV on the Radio was the epitome of what was wrong with this year’s event. Like so many in their genre, TVOTR lacked energy, enthusiasm, and sounded poor. The vocalist was the only band member with any stage presence, the guitarist spending most the time with his back to the crowd. It took several songs for the band to really get going and the crowd, apart from a few die hards, hardly got into it. As an up-and-coming band TVOTR disappointed many fans who had come to the event to see them, playing almost only their new album.

Next year I’m bringing my own food. Following my $3.50 slither of watermelon, I splashed out on a $6.50 “lamb” burger. I should really contact the consumer complaints people, because there was definitely no lamb in the sausage tasting patty slapped between a slice of tomato, beetroot and buns. Needed to be washed down with beer. The beer was good though.

Showing all before him how it is done, Serj Tankian put on a true performance. Having seen System of a Down twice before I had high expectations, although was not too sure what to expect. Like most in the crowd I didn’t know any of the songs, but was absorbed by Tankian’s theatrics and phenomenal voice nonetheless. Two days later, I bought the CD. Brilliant. Would love to see what the Lebanese-born American-Armenian Piha-resident has planned with the Auckland Philharmonic Orhestra in the near future.

The Living End played the “Shihad slot”, performing a typically impressive and entertaining set. Unfortunetly the D-barrier requires fans get in early to see a big band before the enclosed area is closed off, meaning the crowd in front of the Living End were mainly Arctic Monkey fans. Chris Cheney’s attempts to get the crowd involved fell flat on its face with only sections of the crowd singing along. Still the Aussie trio gave their all, not letting an unenthusiastic crowd dampen their spirits.

Those who squeezed past my during the Living End to see the Arctic Monkeys must have been disappointed by their performance or have never witnessed a decent band play. Perhaps because the only song I know is upbeat and danceable, I expected a fast and exciting set, but instead the Arctic Monkeys were laboured and boring. Knowing where to find a real live show, I left early to see the Dropkick Murphys.

All the reviews I have read so far have failed to mention the Dropkick Murphys, which is a shame because the Boston punk band put on one hell of a show. Even if you are not into punk, these guys are worth checking out, as they are arguably the best dance act of the event’s bill. Playing with the passion lacking from most bands’ sets, the celtic-influenced Dropkicks had the considerable crowd on their feet with their folk-punk ditties. I never thought so much Irish jigging was possible until I saw the Dropkick Murphys. Superlatives fail. Extra credit for the lead vocalist’s Tino Rangatiratanga t-shirt!

Back to the main stage for the headlining act Neil Young who, as many have already said, showed many of the preceding bands half his age how to perform. I’m not a fan, but I can appreciate and respect the talent of the man. However good Neil Young was though, he clearly wasn’t the crowd puller organisers had thought, with the field and the stands only half full and the D barrier area still open. A year ago Rage Against the Machine had the whole stadium packed and singing (screaming) along to every word. Young simply isn’t most young fans’ cup of tea, and perhaps Young fans weren’t keen on mixing it with young fans.

In the end, despite a handful of special performances the overwhelming mediocrity of many bands ensured this wasn’t the best Big Day Out.