ADAM LEWIS AND DINOSAURS

On the Vivid lineup.

Some more sober thoughts after a couple of days to look at it properly. Posted elsewhere, cleaned up for here.

The more you look at this lineup, the more disappointing it is.

Some good acts, but it’s more of a case of “some good bands to go see” rather than the festival as a whole feeling great.

Stoked that Pav got that big Spiritualized show and Odd Future, but half of it is a Modular showcase. Last year had amazing events like the lunchtime sessions, the film day, theatre, etc. The non-gig stuff we get is a (pretty cool) art installation and 2ManyDJs doing a radio show. Though Yo Gabba Gabba is a nice touch, and the club nights are a great, clever idea that’s unique to the festival.

But it just doesn’t feel like the wonderful, broad, challenging cultural event of last year. I think Pav is just too ingrained in Australian festival culture/Modular to really put together a challenging and significant festival like the last one. Odds on this one will sell better than Lou Reed’s, and Cut Copy is probably far more palatable to the Daily Telegraph than Noise Night. But the whole thing just feels like a step backwards.

Lou’s year proved that Vivid could be our Meltdown festival. This year’s is not on the same playing field. It’s worth noting that Reed’s festival didn’t add a lot of the highlights until later, particularly the smaller events. But I don’t feel like Pav has created the kind of festival that could facilitate those kind of things, and i’ll be surprised if they play such a great role, let alone get added at all.

Yep, thoughts.