REVIEW: Future Music Festival 2013 @ Randwick Racecourse, Sydney

Sydney’s erratic weather thankfully decided on Saturday the 9^th of March, that that day, it would be the most beautiful and sunny day it could be. Which was one of the many great things FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2013 had to offer.

Held at Randwick Racecourse and featuring a line-up including a mix of pop, rock and dance music, the festival attempts to give and be a lot to a lot of people. This is an all-encompassing model that appears to have worked, in essence, as the festival sold out a weekend before it was held.

What made the event super enjoyable was the myriad of diverse music on offer.

A major draw of FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL for me was actually to see the performance of AZEALIA BANKS. When she took the stage she exhibited as much attitude, brashness and confidence that her recordings (and social media use) suggest she exudes.

Next up was BOYS NOIZE (Live) who was debuting his new live set to Sydney audiences. For those how have not witnessed BOYS NOIZE play live before there is a total audaciousness that pulsates throughout his set. The combinations of sounds are so grizzly and basey that the music hits you in the chest, a total bodily experience.

This combined with the creepy silver skull and haunting red eyes put the audience into a bit of a strange state. You can’t help but be swept up by the performance in a festival space.

The next act I saw was THE TEMPER TRAP, and yeah so, Dougy Mandag, he can sing the fuck out of a song. Enough said.

But the greatest highlight of the day was actually a surprise to me. BLOC PARTY as a band have always been a group that I have been aware of and enjoyed them when I have heard their music.

They even debuted a new song ‘Ratchet’*, which is both an awesome name for a song, and actually an awesomely fun song too. But, as much energy as they put into their music seems to be mirrored by the amount of effort they put into getting their audience involved. It felt like after every song frontman Kele Okereke was chatting to his audience or asking for them to sing along. Which they did every time.

The man had the audience in the palm of his hands with no intention of letting go.

And as the closing act, BLOC PARTY were a great way to end the day on the happiest note possible.

Words by Luke Letourneau

*EDITOR'S NOTE: The Bloc Party track was originally listed as 'Ratshit.'