January 29, 2001

Limp Bizkit / Happy Mondays / Carl Cox: Sydney Big Day Out

Bez is subdued, Carl Cox technos-up the skate kids, and Limp Bizkit cause a riot - hey, it's the Big Day Out!

Of the main Australian acts at Big Day Out in Sydney, local favourites Killing Heidi are among the most popular with younger punters, playing almost every song from their 'Reflector' album. Surprising the crowd, the band are joined by a bizarre troupe of dancers made up to look like lead singer Ella Hooper. Even though the stage bears signs stating "Surf in the ocean not in the audience'', one after the other the younger fans throw themselves over the moshpit to every song including crowd favorite 'Weir'.

Later in the evening, Australian sensation Powderfinger play a typically perfect set heavy on songs from their latest album 'Odyssey Number Five'. And while their performance clashes with At The Drive-In, it's among the
highlights of the evening.

Playing in the Boiler Room, the dance room, an enormous dome-shaped venue, the Happy Mondays perform to an enthusiastic crowd, many of whom would not have been old enough to remember their peak. While age has not wearied the band aurally, visually the band seem a little tired, with even Bez appearing more subdued than usual. Perhaps it's touring with his two children which he said, before going on stage, had forced him to take outings during the day rather than "getting messed up and sleeping through the day''.

Meanwhile, drum'n'bass maverick Roni Size is winding up the crowd in the Boiler Room before Carl Cox, who has established a strong reputation in Australia through regular touring over the last decade, plays to a capacity crowd. More impressive than his skilful mixing and the appreciation from dance afficianados is seeing those who have clearly had little exposure to dance music (the headbanging was a clear give-away) open their tastes to a different style of music.

Rammstein follow, with their onstage pyrotechnics, acting as a kind of crowd warmer for headliners Limp Bizkit, who play just one song 'Hot Dog', before Fred Durst begins arguing with a member of the crowd. Shortly after, the 20,000 strong crowd collpases in front of the stage, injuring fans and forcing the band to halt its performance for ten minutes.

While ambulance volunteers work on the injured to the right of the stage, the concert rages on, with one of the most frenzied mosh areas seen in Australia, constantly spurred on by Durst before the crowd-pleasing performance ends with a massive fireworks display.

Michael Duffy