Big Day Out 2005 - Sydney (Aus)

Held on Australia Day (a bank holiday normally reserved for BBQs, beaches and beer), patriotism today is rife, with many punters choosing to show their allegiance via DIY fashion featuring Australian flags and slogans. Bless.

As for the music, the 2005 BDO had one of the weakest line-ups in the history of the event. Despite this, the Sydney leg sold out in record time, testament either to the fact that Australia is severely lacking in good outdoor festivals or that there are a truckload of Slipknot fans in the harbour city.

Unfortunately, poor scheduling rules the day, with some of the most exciting local bands on the bill relegated to waking-up-with-the-birds slots. But in the same way that The Darkness introduced themselves to an entirely new set of fans when they served up a spandex-coated breakfast at Glastonbury 2003, great white hopes Wolfmother ring the lunchtime bell and manage to entice the attention of a large crowd early on. Frontman Andrew Stockdale is at his headband-wearing retro rock god best, at times channelling Ozzy backed by Zeppelin, before oozing the attitude that reminds us why he's been a student at the school of Jack White. With considerable UK and US interest, the Sydney three-piece will no doubt be regulars on the festival circuit this summer, and deservedly so. Their catchy, no-brainer psych rock provides enough energy to kick-start the day, and serves as the perfect precursor for The Hives, who maintain that momentum over on the main stage. 

In true fashion, Pelle Elmqvist struts like a black and white peacock as he explains to the crowd that he and his band were as cool as Sweden, or something to that effect. Despite his black suit looking rather toasty warm, Pelle still looks cooler than a cucumber as he spits out the hits. An irrepressible force, it's almost impossible not to share in the man's enthusiasm as he and the band rock out Swedish style.