GOOD VIBRATIONS

Brandon Flowers, The Killers

Basement Jaxx

Kid Cudi

Jack of Friendly Fires (DJ Set)

A week before the Good Vibrations festival was to take place in Melbourne, the only band I really wanted to see (Friendly Fires) pulled out; the Killers had to cancel their Sydney and Perth shows and things wern't looking promising. So when the day of the festival arrived, I left home with no expectations. However, I returned pretty happy with how things had turned out.

Kid Cudi was on early afternoon and had the crowd in the palm of his hand. He explained how Australia was his first home away from home and how it was here that he made his first big break. All the hits were played, but it was his stage presence that triumphed, pouring shots for a few lucky punters in the front, he had created a party atmosphere.

Although Friendly Fires couldn't make the festival, Jack the drummer still came down for a DJ Set. Dropping the occasional FF remix his set was predominantly deep house. Afterwards he came and mingled with the crowd and was more than happy to pose for a few photos with his fans.

For me the main stage was off limits for most of the day as the crowd was too intense, but as Basement Jaxx were about to grace the stage, I made a loyal and conscious effort to make my way to the front. After fighting my way through a sea of yuppies I managed to get close enough to witness the Jaxx in all their glory. Littering the stage with an assortment of performers and instruments, they played new and old, to a crowd well up for it. 'Where's your head at?' obviously their best moment.

The day was coming to an end, I had made my last trip to the bar and was ready for The Killers. Kicking off with 'Somebody told me', frontman Brandon Flowers strutted around the stage, with the crowd singing along to every word. From there onwards there was no filler, just hit after hit after hit. Clearly the highlight of the day, they had capped off what had turned out to be a pretty good festival.

Check out the photos here