The little things…Southern Amp 08
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 2:31 pm

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With an impressive line-up consisting of The Living End, The Dandy Warhols, The Charlatans and my new NZ favourites, Clap Clap Riot there was no way I was missing out on heading down to Christchurch for Southern Amp 08. Having never been to one of their festivals, I was pleasantly surprised to turn up to a free can of black V – my favourite kind, along with an extremely small queue. So tiny in fact, that we didn’t even need to wait to get in.

First act on my list was the electro rockers, Exiles. I saw them at Big Day Out at the beginning of the year, and was so impressed that I couldn’t pass up the chance to see them bounce around the stage again. Even though it’s been nearly a whole year, it was exciting to recognize their non-radio songs from their set on the local produce stage at BDO. The kids performed the two songs which have been blasted on local radio stations around the country, Circles and The One along with a heap of others which will apparently be gracing a new album due to be released soon.
Star of the show was keyboardist, Jessica Hindon who jumped around happily without a care in the world tossing her head from side to side with a delighted grin across her face.

Hopping across to the main stage where we found Goodnight Nurse was no hard task – another welcomed treat of the event. Not so welcome was the way that the bands bass player Rowan Crow threw himself around the stage like an idiot with ADD. I’ve seen it before, but decided not to take too much notice…but really, I think once is enough. Gets a little tiring, buddy. I got annoyed. We left.

Next on the cards on the main stage was Autozamm who I’ve enjoyed more than once in the past, so I was looking forward to a lively set outta’ these guys again. Playing all the hits off their album, Drama Queen like Disco, Killer Shoes, and Closer to Home, the lads worked the crowd with their magic. My favourite will probably always be Ways To Run…it’s always performed so precisely and delicately that it chokes me up every time. Beautiful. But, as the title of this write-up suggests, it’s always the little things that do it...like bassist Ollie Gordon getting in his ten cents worth and eventually having the mic turned away from him by front-man of the group, Nick Major. Yup. Good solid entertainment from the Auckland indie-rock lads.

Then we have the viciously erratic Clap Clap Riot boys who hail from the garden city…who would have thought? I saw them a week before in Hamilton, so I knew we were in for a treat with these fellas. Sliding around the stage from the get-go, the guys put on yet another energetic set for the growing crowd in front of them. Guitarist, Dave Rowlands sweetly wished his mum a quick happy birthday before they got into one of my new favourites, Mama with singer of the group, Stephen Heard wowing me yet again with his impressive vocals.

Heading back to the indoor main stage we were welcomed by the delightful Jordan Luck band. I think it’s pretty safe to say I’m not alone in love with this guy! He’s always so happy to see his fans and you can truly tell how much he enjoys performing no matter what the size of the audience. Turns out, this was probably one of the most popular acts at Southern Amp – the crowd was massive! Singing all the favourites, Sink like a Stone, Tracey, and Why Does Love Do this to Me?, just to name a few, he charmed everyone with his flowing charisma and slight insanity. Going on about The Silver Ferns and how wonderful they were was a little confusing, but was very quickly made up for when the band busted into another old favourite, Erotic. Staring at the crowd with his sexy eyes made me wonder if the guy even knows how old he is? I guess when you’re Jordan Luck, you can get away with almost anything…

Staying inside for Gyroscope was an alright idea, I spose. Sadly they didn’t impress me as much as I thought they would and I found myself paying more attention to the drummer than actually listening to their music. He was special, I can tell you that much, bashing the drums so hard that it looked as though he would roll off the stage on his platform at any minute. Probably the most entertaining part of their set was when I looked up at front-man Daniel Sanders to catch him first spraying beer out of his mouth onto the crowd in front of him, and then blowing his nose onto the stage. WTF?!

It was UK lads, The Charlatans turn to grace the main stage and man alive, I’m so so glad I was told to see them. Being their first gig on NZ shores, it was awesome to see that they had more of a following over here than I imagined they would. From the moment lead singer, Tim Burgess made his way onto the stage; I couldn’t take my eyes off him. It was like some kind of force drawing me in, every minute growing stronger. First it was the amazing head of hair which looked a lot like a wig until he began tugging at it and convinced me otherwise. Then it was the way he drifted around the stage in his kind of scary looking long black coat pointing and waving at people in the crowd as he sung. Careful not to leave anyone out, he then glided over to our side and began smiling and sprinkling us with what I reckon was imaginary fairy dust. I felt loved. I hope they did too. I want to see them back here.

Keeping my spot at the front, I stayed to see a rather delayed Dandy Warhols set that lacked the excitement I anticipated from such a well-known band as theirs. I think the best part for me was watching Zia McCabe when she came out clutching her little handbag, waving to the crowd who instantly loved her. Shaking the maracas the whole way through their first song was enough to keep my eyes on her for most of the set. Going through their songs with little enthusiasm or crowd participation made these guys kinda’ boring, and I hate to say it, but I was happy when it came to an end.

For me, and I think a lot of others, it was always The Living End, so when they came on stage there was no surprise when everyone went nuts. They always put on an awesome show, and Southern Amp was no different. Pulling out all the favourites, like West End Riot, All Torn Down, What’s on your Radio and newbie to our shores, Moment in the Sun, they whipped the crowd into a mad frenzy. One dude dressed in a Santa Bear suit decided half way through the set to crowd-surf which lasted maybe twenty seconds before he was thrown to the ground. It was awesome. Because I wasn’t involved.
Clearly loving the crowd participation the long-time Aussie rockers performed to it, taking in the energy and throwing it back out. Bassist Scott Owen did all his tricks we love with his massive double bass that the band are so well known for while Chris Cheney blasted out tunes on form as always.

All in all, I had a wicked day out, and for a first trip down to Christchurch, I reckon it was pretty good…might even come down to Southern Amp again next year. If I do, there’s no way I’m walking through the Bronx to get back to the hotel in town like we did this time. My little office feet were tired for days after that and my hearts only just stopped racing from the thought we might get mugged. Hah.

Amanda Ratcliffe

RE: The little things…Southern Amp 08
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:05 pm

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Good review Amanda!

Most I've read weren't very comprehensive and only mentioned 3 or 4 bands in detail. Kudos to you for giving us somehting with more substance!

Didn't stick around for much of the day myself. Free tickets meant I could leave early without feeling too stink

RE: The little things…Southern Amp 08
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:48 am

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Awww...thanks so much for the kind words!
I really appreciate the feedback - especially when it's good feedback. Heh.

I reckon even if I did get free tickets I would have hung around all day - mainly because The Living End were up later in the day...I love those guys!

Didn't stay for much of Seether...
Who did you see?

RE: The little things…Southern Amp 08
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:56 pm

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