ThisWayIn

This year's stellar line up including Muse, Kasabian, Dizzy Rascal, Calvin Harris, Lilly Allen and heaps more had me giddy with anticipation.

Braving the soaring heat (which was pushing the mercury over 40º and believe me when I tell you, was ridiculously hot) Sydney's very own Blue juice stole the show living up to their reputation of having one of the best live shows on the circuit. Yellow jump suits, inflatables and bucket loads of energy . .. .  these guys know how to party!

My personal favourites The Horrors played a great set, mainly from their latest record, Primary Colours, attracting a good crowd to say they aren't so well known out of London. I was however  a little disappointed at their lack of crowd interaction, just leaving the stage without so much as a thank you. I know you're terribly 'goth rock cool', but guys, a little appreciation!

Manc rockers Kasabian swaggered and rocked their way brilliantly through most of West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, getting a good old 'chant a long' going to Fire and treating the crowd to old favorites such as club foot. I was just so surprised as to the billing, I would have expected them to play much later in the day.

Dizzy Rascal didn't disappoint, with a high energy set, belting out the crowd pleasers one after the other. He certainly got Sydney moving, the sign said no crown surfing but I guess it didn't mention crowd jumping, (sporadic occurrences of lone revelers flying up into the air, after being launched by their friends.)  Bonkers was the high point and the crowd certainly picked up the cue and went, well, Bonkers!

After such a riotous set, poor little Lilly just didn't cut it. She strutted out in enormous heels which didn't last long as she sweated bare foot through her set, which just coasted along and soon sank into blandness. I lost interest and went in search of a bar.

The setting sun made the perfect back drop for the skate half pipe, I was very impressed with the flips, tricks and stacks from some of skatings finest and I must say youngest! After seeing a fully awesome trick laden run I couldn't believe it when out of the sun glare stepped this kid, probably not even in his teens! Amazing!

So my major gripe for the day is the venue. In my mind it's one big hideous fail! It's like a concrete detention centre, no shade no nice chill out areas, it's just filthy, dusty and down right dreary. This has a knock on effect in that the gloom of this surround burrows into the subconscious of the crowd giving the whole place a tense slightly aggressive feel. The main stage has a cordoned off mosh pit, which reminds me of pens for herding cattle. Is that how we are viewed? Whatever happened to the free spirited and flowing nature of the music festival? However a credit to the organizers was their crowd care. Thankfully they handed out free sunscreen and water or I swear there would have been cases of instant human spontaneous combustion!

Rounding up my night with a full stage show to rival the likes of U2, British band, Muse, owned the show. The unmistakable, beautiful falsetto of Matt Bellamy soared out euphorically into the muggy evening air. Playing a good mix of their back catalogue to a spectacular laser show. Muse truly are rock and roll! Closing their set with a cover of an Ozzy classic,  Back in Black, they were joined on stage by Jet's Nic Chester. The perfect ending to magnificent show!