Posts by Rich Lock
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Where's Editing the Herald when we need it eh?
Given today's front page, I hope he's off planning the epic return of 'Shark Newz!' 'Now with extra added Croc and Lion!'.
Worst part of that story? Overhearing two different groups of peole animatedly discussing it at different times this morning. Bread and circuses.....
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I’m fairly clappity-clappity about Grassroots
Due entirely to my own stupidity, I missed out on Rodrigo y Gabriella when they were over here this time last year, so I’m rather pleased fate has seen fit to give me a chance to redeem myself.
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Except for that one part where Yoda kicked some ass. I'll give you that.)
I think that was what annoyed (horrified) me most about the prequels. Just when I was building up a good head of loathing, Lucas would whip out a bit of imagery, or design, or short sequence that would really....just... work, and which was recognisably Star Wars. And then he would immediately spoil it by cutting to something so utterly horrible it burned my brain. For example, the excellent Darth Maul/Jedi Lightsabre fight in Ep 1 was frequently intercut with Jar Jar fucking Binks saying or doing something utterly, teeth-grindingly annoying.
It was rather like one of those horror films where the hapless, traumatised victim crawls, sobbing and screaming towards the lit doorway from the darkened room, finally daring to hope that their ordeal is over. And just as they think they've escaped, some horrible unseen...thing...grabs their legs and whips them back into the darkness.
And belatedly: Craig - about flippin' time. Look forward to reading more from you.
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a fireworks act with no new musical interest, not to mention their boring tongue-in-cheek Fascist aesthetic
Ooooh, burn.
Rammstein? Burn? Geddit!? Geddit!?
Seems to me that the BDO is more or less designed around having to have big international acts the headliners. The venue is too large for it to be economical otherwise.
As Recordari and Geoff have already noted, there are, now, a number of smaller festivals which allow newer, younger bands a bit of breathing room.
The same thing happened in the UK a few years ago - if you wanted a 'festival experience (tm)', your choice was Glasto or Reading. Then came Phoenix, T in the park, 'V' and a few others catering for the big 'Rawk' acts, and now the scene has expanded and fractured to the extent that there are literally dozens of smaller, boutique-y festivals every year: Secret Garden Party, Bestival, Latitude, Wickerman, Summer sundae.......take your pick.
I think the same thing is happening here, to an extent (limits of market size and location, and all that). Grassroots, Coromandel Gold, Kaikoura dub 'n' roots, etc.
Personally, I'm well outside the target market for Laneways, but I'm mildly excited about Grassroots in April.
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I did warn you....
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You people are making it very difficult for me to maintain the illusion that I live in a universe where the prequels were never made. Lalalalalalala can't heeeeerrrreeeeee yooooooooouu.
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(probably unintentionally) as camp as a row of tents.
Part of the appeal to me is that I reckon they know exactly what they’re doing and how they come across. Tongues are firmly in cheeks.
I offer the court Exhibit A. Which may not be safe for work, depending on how tolerent your workplace is of footage of naked muscular oily men writhing against each other. Man against man, indeed….
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In Rammsteins first song, the lead singer had a light in his mouth.
Luckily, being Rammsteins lead singer does not mean you actually need to be able to sing...
Mungo like FIRE! Mungo like SHOUTY GERMANS! Mungo haz a happy....
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The last BDO I went to pre-this one was in 2003, and my 'two moments I remember' are oddly similar to yours:
Firstly, having some mustachioe'd, steroid-munching, small-cocked knob-jockey with a bad attitude refuse to give me a 'elegible to drink' wristband because my ID wasn't suitable. Despite the fact I was obviously over 30. Fortunately his mate 15 minutes later was a bit more sensible.
Secondly, taking literally two steps out of the wrong exit at the end of the night (due to unfamiliarity with the venue), and then being refused re-entry so we could go and catch our bus from the correct gate. Dude, you just saw us walk out two steps and stop! We didn't even get outside your touching distance!
The upshot of that was a walk around the perimeter of the entire stadium at the end of a rather tiring day. Not exactly leaving on a high note.
Add to that the inescapable feeling that once you've paid your ticket price and are in the venue, you're Just Another Fucking Pleb Punter to be herded around a concrete roasting tin for 10-12 hours before they can legitimately boot you out.
I promised myself after that experience I wouldn't bother going again. But the lineup this year was a doozy, so never say never. I enjoyed myself a lot more because I'd lowered my expectations of everything except the music to somewhere around basement level. Rocked up around 6.00PM and was given the most cursory frisk I've ever had: 'Is that a wallet in your pocket?' 'Actually, it's a couple of kilos of P*. Um, I mean, yes. Yes it is a wallet'.
The mustache-with-attitude in charge of distributing drinking wristbands also appeared to have been replaced by a row of pretty young ladies. Which took some of the sting out of them taking one look at my raddled and wizened old mug and handing one over without bothering to actually ID me.
The beer ghetto was (still) fucking irritating, but at least they had more choice than export gold (sir, having considered this sample, I can say with some confidence that your horse has a urinary tract infection). I'm a relatively responsible adult, and it would be nice to be treated like one when I want a drink. Having said that, I saw a good few extremely pissed-up munters around the place, including one who nealy took a header off the second tier of the stands during Iggy, and another one who did take a header into a full portaloo (it's not what he's drinking, it's how he's drinking it).
I was a bit dubious about the 'D', but it actually seemed to work ok. Looked like there was a lot of empty space in there, though. Perhaps a little less caution with the crowd numbers next time?
Having said that, I do struggle to throw off the feeling that a little more respect for muggins punter being uppermost in the minds of the organisers would not be a bad thing.
*for anyone wondering whether I am actually stupid enough to try and smuggle a couple of kilos of 'P' into the BDO? Seriously, have a think about it.
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the resanded eastern beaches may not be so fortunate.
On the upside, there is now a lot more 'Waterfront property! Only meters from the beach!' available along Tamaki Drive.