REVIEW: Daydream Festival's Epic Debut In Meanjin/Brisbane!
Words by Robert Hume | Photos by Taylor Pettigrew
Last April was ringed out in style in with the brand new Daydream Festival in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane finishing up its national east coast tour on Sunday the 30th at Riverstage.With massive international acts like Modest Mouse and Beach Fossils, both back in Australia for the first time in seven and ten years respectively, it was s special closure to an incredible three night tour of of indie rock.
Gates opened at 3:45pm and people started trickling in ... Cloud Nothings were up first, hailing from Cleveland, Ohio. The set was full of instrumental improvisations, creating almost an extended version of each song performed and the last song in the set took this to another level, when playing their most popular song ‘Wasted Days’ on the surface it seemed to be a regular performance at first - however when frontman Dylan Baldi disappeared from the stage it was clear that this was not the case. Cue guitar and bass improv. Dylan returned after a minute to join the improv and started screaming the final few bars of the song. It can be hard to pump up large audiences right at the start of the night and considering the daylight was still out too, they did an excellent job.
I thought it was really apt that the house music that was out after the stage went dark was ‘What You Know’ by Two Door Cinema Club. While not exactly indie rock, it just fit into the era that I felt like I was escaping to.
Beach Fossils were no doubt my favourite out of all the bands who performed. Other than Modest Mouse, they were the only other band that I was familiar with, yet I had not heard many of their songs. They hit the stage at 5:25pm with game show entrance music and announcements welcoming each member onto the stage - something that few bands that I have seen have pulled off - it was incredible and I couldn’t help but cheer with those around me.
With a sound similar to aussie surf rock, they were smooth in their sonics and were just so easy to listen and dance along to. The third song that they played titled ‘Sugar’ was silky smooth and geared up to a set of bangers with ‘Don’t Fade Away,’ ‘Down the Line' and ‘Dare Me,’ with each having interludes in between including an audience sing along to the chorus of ‘We're Not Gonna Take It’ by Twisted Sister as well as a call and response to project negative energy onto the stage to then be reversed into positive vibes to power the music.
I couldn’t help but notice how often they mentioned they were from New York City, it’s funny as it has kind of become part of their brand and it just exemplified how excited they were to be in Australia again. It was the first time in 10 years and despite that they still knew all the fun slang names we have for the city. The last couple songs had big slowdown energy but with a bit of a rock twist. Shouting out from the stage the band had us ride the low. Lead singer Dustin Payseur told us all that we were on a journey. “It’s the fellowship of the mellowship,” he said.
The only Aussie act on the lineup were, Tropical Fuck Storm and their position on the night felt a little like whiplash - which is actually quite apt for them as a band. They are a literal wall of noise. Aggressive tones were belted out and heads were banging towards the barrier, and despite being not what I expected it was clear that there were many in the crowd who were living it.
It was difficult to pick out incisive moments as the whole set just flowed together and kept everyone on their toes. However talking to some punters after the show, the favourite from their set was ‘You Let My Tyres Down’ and I have to agree, the slowness combined with the rhythmic energy distilled by the fast paced guitar
Due to Slowdive pulling out from the festivals I think it would have been awesome to have had another local act to fill the night out more rather than the longer downtimes but it all worked out in the end.
Closing out the night and the group that most had come to witness was Modest Mouse. The powerhouse group entered a little past 8:00 pm and started ‘The World At Large’ to huge applause. They performed a double length set with well earnt breaks, but the endurance from the band was incredible. As well as from the audience. The show was quite special in that nearly every song performed on stage also had massive performances from the crowd right from the bottom to the top of the amphitheatre.
Throughout the set, Isaac Brook continually checked in with the audience, “How is everyone doing, we all staying safe” - coincidently someone near me actually needed help. Isaac and the other band members called for help from on stage, help was received and “Party On” was amplified through the sound system and they played ‘Third World.’
Isaac still rocks it on stage, between instrument changes, thrashing the chords on stage as well as singing into his electric guitar just cause he can, it showed. The band all brought their A Game.‘Float On’ and ‘Dramamine’ were in the last few songs played before the encore, both of which were completely insane hearing live, especially with cheering that each were met to when the first notes were strummed. It was like being transported back in time and the air was electric.
However this didn’t last. The stage went dark for 11 minutes when they left the stage - it was the longest time I have ever waited for an encore. We all knew they were going to eventually come back and there was also another 40 minutes before Riverstage’s curfew kicked in. People were trickling away but for the majority, it was impressive at how long the chants continued for. Upon returning to the stage the air electrified again for another five songs. It was an incredible night and the wait at the end was worth it.