Soundwave 2011

Here's My Story....

Last Saturday, 5th March 2011, I went to the Soundwave Festival at Bonython Park in Adelaide. I went with my Mum and my friend came along too. We were so buzzed! It was all our first Music Festival!

We woke up at about 6AM, left at 7AM, got Brekkie at Macca's 8AM, and was in the line at 8:15 - 8:30AM. There was only a good 20-40 people in front of us waiting at the gate.

We waited for around 2 hours, talking, getting excited and listening to some of the music, presuming they were soundchecks. The line grew longer...

And longer until it went right around the park and started colliding with the front of the line. D:

Unfortunately we hadn't got in yet and some people pushed in. I really hate people who push in! We've been waiting for 2 hours, and they've been waiting for 2 minutes. :-(

Anyhow, we got in and rushed straight to Stage 5B, where I See Stars would be playing at 11AM. I was right at the front on the barrier in the centre, it was perfect!

ISS took the stage beginning with What This Means To Me. Glow, The End Of The World Party and 3D were also some other songs played during the set. At first the microphones weren't loud enough, so we could barely hear the unclean vocals. But that changed further into the set.

They really took the stage and interacted with the audience, asking them to jump and scream. They would be defintely one of the younger bands on the tour, and with that probably less experienced. But still managed to pull a brilliant show. At one stage, Devin (lead singer) jumped down and stood on the other side of the barrier right in front of me. So more girls and boys pushed forward trying to touch him, pushing me right into his chest. Haha.

After ISS we moved a few steps to Stage 5A for Breathe Carolina. They started with Hello Fascination, played their Jay Sean cover of Down and finished with the best song to be made I Don't Give A F*ck. Kyle (Unclean Vocals) crowd surfed a lot, and landed right in front of us at one point.

They interacted well with the crowd, and for such a techno band did a really good and suprsising performance.

After BC, we cruised around looking at a bit of everything, there were Stalls, Food + Drink Stands, Signing Tent, Merch stands, Water fill ups and Alcohol bars.

I went and bought my tickets for the signings I wanted to attend ($2 per person per band, all went to Camp Quality.)

We went back to Stage 5B, ready for We The Kings. On the other stage This Town Needs Guns were playing, and it was quite a disappointment to see how much of a crowd they didn't have. 

WTK took the stage and defintely pulled a big crowd. I was about 3-4 rows from the front. They began with Skyway Avenue (my personal favourite) and everyone serged forward. It was really squishy, but I still jumped, sang and danced away. They played Heaven Can Wait, She Takes Me High, Secret Valentine, We'll Be A Dream, Covered Jimmy Eat World's The Middle and finished with Check Yes Juliet. A song that has gained much popularity and media attention lately in Australia, although it's 4 years old.

From the feedback of the crowd Travis was defintely the favourite of the band, with his red hair, striped jumper and humorous personality.

They were very talented live, and hopefully they will come back to Australia soon.

After WTK, we rushed our way to the signing tent to meet I See Stars. :D

They were all really nice and were very happy that I had the CD's (I took the booklets to get signed) where everyone else had been getting there ticket signed. They all smiled, signed, high fived and agreed to photo oppurtunities with me. I'm still wondering why Andy wasn't there though (the drummer).

We headed back to Stage 5B for NeverShoutNever, if you talk to anyone close to me, you will find out how much I am obsessed and in love with Christofer Drew.

NSN pulled a big crowd. He played some of his best songs like Trouble, I Love You 5, On The Brightside and Big City Dreams. He rocked up a lot of his music, I guess competing with other such hardcore bands. He interacted nicely with the audience and greeted the people in the front row near the end, but I really didn't like how much he smoked on stage!! I was a few rows back from the front, but left my spot about half way to get the front for TFT. Although NSN is very talented live, and Chris has such a great voice.

I ended up getting the front on the barrier for There For Tomorrow.

Pages, Deathbed, Hunt Hunt Hunt were some of the songs they played, but they finished with their best song, A Little Faster.

I notcied Christofer Drew watching TFT at the start and I think they're friends.

I was actually quite suprised at the crowd, I thought there would have been many more people here for TFT. They're songs ROCK, Chris is hot ;) and they're amazing live! Plus it was their first visit to Australia like many other bands I saw.

Overall, I really enjoyed TFT, they are one of my fave bands. They all rocked, and Maika worked well with the audience. I really hope they come back for a full tour.

After I went and sat down with my Mum and watched The Rocket Summer, I love that dude! :) So enthusiastic, happy and bubbly!

He played my two favourite songs Do You Feel and So Much Love, so I sang along.

We had to leave his set early to make our way to 30STM, we bought some expensive (:-/) chips and coke. Stopped at the First Aid tent too for me, as I wasn't feeling too crash hot at that point in time. So I got some stuff for my headache.

We watched Slash a little from a distance. He was very good, and his touring band were great as well. He really pulled out a big crowd, all chanting the lyrics. It was great to see! Slash through all his years and all the 'Rock N Roll' things he's done, can still play guitar like the legend he is.

We eventually made our way through the hectic crowd to find the entry to the main mosh for Stage 2, for 30 Seconds To Mars. The security guard had to smell my Coke, and checked my mum's bag thoroughly. We got in there about 2 hours later, just kidding.

30STM intro was of Escape then into A Beautiful Lie. Jared worked so well with the audience, and just I would love to be his friend.

This Is War, The Kill, Closer To The Edge, Attack were some songs they played. They finished with Kings And Queens, and some of the people down the front who crowd surfed got to go on stage (JEALOUS!).

During the set Jared even brang out an Australian Flag and waved it proudly, he also reminded the crowd of what you do when someone falls over and partly jumped into the crowd.

I was really proud of 30STM, I thought they were brilliant! Although I had heard that many people were disappointed in them, as Jared didn't sing a lot, because of him working with the audience. Which I didn't really notice, I had the time of my life. And I officially got welcomed to the family!

After complimenting a girl on her ALICE NINE Shirt :O I couldn't believe other people knew you they were, and getting our way out of the Mosh pit, we made our way to the Signing Tent, for Round 2.

This time we were meeting one of my favourite bands, There For Tomorrow. They were all great, but I think ISS seemed to be more happier and smiled more. Maybe because ISS have a smaller fan base in Adelaide.

 We made our way back to my favourite stage, 5, after getting everything signed and waited for The Maine to take the stage on 5A. We watched a little of the Mad Caddies, while we waited. They were quite crazy but very different.

The Maine took the stage right on time and actually had quite a large following. They played some of their great songs like Into Your Arms (which I called my sister and got her to listen too), Everything I Ask For, Girls Do What They Want and Inside Of You.

The lead singer was actually drinking alcohol onstage which was quite funny. They did a great job at working the audience and even got a girl up onstage to sing one of the choruses.

Hmm, I must go buy their CD's, this may prove a challenge.

Most of the same crowd there waited for an hour until Mayday Parade, I could have had a good spot, but I would have got squished and I wasn't in the mood for that anymore.

So I went back and sat with my mum, and watched The Blackout while we waited for Mayday. They were quite heavy for Stage 5, but still did well.

Then Mayday Parade came on. They pulled a really big crowd, which was suprising as Iron Maiden had started on Stage 1 by now. They began with Jamie All Over, followed by Kids In Love. Black Cat, Jersey and an ending of I'd Hate To Be You When People Find Out What This Song Is About.  

They were really great but something was lacking with the recent departure of Jason.

It was a great end to the night!

After we went and checked out Iron Maiden, we didn't stay the whole time though.

We left, but my friend forgot her purse and we had to go back. There was a heap of people outside listening to Iron Maiden, haha with their binoculars. That's kinda smart. Don't have to pay.

We got to Hungry Jack's at around 11:30PM - Midnight, eating some Stunner Meals.

I kind of LOVE merchandise especially band shirts :)

It was a Fantastic, Magnificient, Awesome, Wicked day and shall be the highlight of my Year.

If you ever have the chance to see any of these bands, or attend Soundwave, TAKE IT!

Just Live A Little.

-Red + Black Rockstar