Music Festivals

I went to the Big Day Out in Sydney on Saturday 23rd January, 2010. I had a bit of an idea of what to expect, but my experience of music festivals is from having attended Village Fair, which is Charles Sturt University's annual music festival. You can check out Village Fair here.

So it would be fair to say I'm not a professional festival go-er. I don't wear my midriff fluoro orange tank top with my cut-off denim shorts (so short the pockets are hanging out). I'm not okay with taking ecstacy tablets (like a couple was doing in front of me) as though they're tic-tacs while watching something as chilled as Lisa Mitchell. Definitely more comfortable with Village Fair than anything the scale of BDO.

I've always looked forward to Village Fair. Imagine all of your uni friends (and about one thousand other mutual friends) all in a big field with bands and DJ's playing from 4pm til midnight. I might add at this point that everyone spends their day prior to Village Fair drinking with friends. It usually kicks off around 10.30 am with a few quiet drinks and, by mid-afternoon, everyone is adequately smashed and most people are paddling in blow-up kids pools.

When the music starts, we all stagger over the field to Village Fair and watch music between three stages. In my first year we had headliners including Aston Shuffle, British India and Blue Juice. Last year - 2009 - the headlining acts were Bag Raiders, Purple Sneakers DJs, Kid Confucious and Van She.

Once the music has finished, everyone goes down into town and hangs out in the pubs - it's really chilled, lots of fun, and you are in some way connected to each and every person at Village Fair.

On the other hand, Big Day Out 2010 had 55,000 people attend on the day I went, with about 15 stages (or more), and a pretty incredible line-up. I really enjoyed seeing the following people/ bands play:

• Lisa Mitchell
• Blue Juice
• Eskimo Joe
• Temper Trap
• Hilltop Hoods
• Lily Allen
• Dizzee Rascall
• Powderfinger
• Muse
• Calvin Harris
• Groove Armada

My favourites were Temper Trap and Blue Juice. Since seeing Temper Trap and Blue Juice I have listened to their music on repeat ... but I am glad to say I still haven't tired of it. Temper Trap's Drum Song and Blue Juice's Head of the Hawk have to be heard to be understood! Although I might add, it was so much fun seeing Lily Allen - I am proud (well, actually, quite embarrassed) to say I know all the words to her songs.

Here are some photos from my time at Village Fair:





And here are some photos from Big Day Out:





If ever you get the opportunity to go to Village Fair, don't hesitate. It will be a day to remember!