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Hear & Now

Monday, 04 February 2008

Riverstage Sun Jan 24

Photo: Kylie Keene

Although the introduction of last year’s newest festival, Future Music, was greeted by much anticipation and excitement, the same couldn’t be said for this summer’s latest fun-in-the-sun music event, Hear & Now. From the outset, it seemed that potential attendees were those who either (a) hadn’t attended a festival before; (b) were unfortunate enough to miss out on all the other festivals; or (c) wanted some way to get messy and spend their long weekend.

Despite the marvellous weather, it is immediately clear that the Riverstage alone (devoid of Botanical Gardens support stages) is inadequate for providing a festival-like atmosphere, meaning the event would be perhaps more aptly described as a concert.

Who are these people on stage? “Potbelleez!” I’m told by a wide-eyed, flouro-clad extremely-young-looking person. I know nothing of them. Despite the enthusiastic attempts of an energetic, clear-rhyming female MC, it appears the rather disinterested crowd have no idea who the foursome is either. Or are they just waiting for a certain track?
As now seems common festival practice, an age-old crowd super-motivator is administered: Prodigy track Smack My Bitch Up. With the crowd invigorated the Potbelleez finish their performance with a track the crowd actually know: Don’t Hold Back. Aha! So that’s who these guys are.

After Ajax finishes something that I’m sure comes from his Monastery-in-a-bag routine, it is time for Cut Copy. I have to say I’ve been excited about seeing these guys live, but their show lacks both lustre and verve. Despite the inclusion of hit tracks Lights And Music and Hearts On Fire, the live performance of ‘80s sounding electro-pop just doesn’t really live up to the smooth pop-perfection of their recorded material.

Photo: Kylie Keene

The stage gets swept aside and on roll Krafty Kuts’ decks, and although Krafty needs no introduction, Dynamite MC does a brilliant job talking-up his DJ. His smooth and subtle style is a welcome relief vis-à-vis the abrasive MC Shureshock, who we see far too often in Brisbane. As Krafty skilfully scratches his way through hit track Bass Phenomenon and seamlessly eases his way into Hey Boy Hey Girl by The Chemical Brothers, he signals the engineers for a sound increase – yes, once again we have an inner-city music show with sound issues (Daft Punk excluded) – and responds by belting out a remix of Metallica track Enter Sandman. The crowd is pumped. Dynamite MC gracefully raps away while Krafty puts on a mixing showcase as he weaves Green Velvet’s La La Land, Justice’s Waters of Nazareth, and Plump DJs track Systematic together as one. Wow.

I’m forced to exit the event early owing to an ill compatriot, and while I believe it would be hard for Sneaky Sound System to follow up Krafty Kuts’ energising set, cheers from the crowd can still be heard echoing out of the Riverstage amphitheatre when I’m halfway into the CBD. There are definitely some vocal fans in the audience.

Although about 10,000 people attended Hear & Now and Krafty Kuts put on a good show, the event seemed slightly like a charity music concert – with no real cohesion between genres and people attending out of convenience, it almost seemed an add-on concert for pseudo-dance fans. But hey, if there’s a market for it....
TIM RETROT

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