I’m sun burnt, my ears are ringing, my clothes are covered in glitter… but I had the time of my life at Aunty Meredith’s 21st birthday bash. 

Two friends and colleagues - Tim Fisher and Bianca Faux Ami - and I gathered our thoughts together for this collective review of the festival.

Meredith Music Festival 2011, Meredith, Dec 9 - 11 review on Everguide.

The best thing that happened in the company of complete strangers? Well, I ended up singing `Total Eclipse of the Heart’ with a whole bunch of random people in front of the stage at some point. That song is so daggy but everyone was getting right into it. They were pretty nice to me considering I was drunk, soaked and covered in glitter at the time (and I can’t hold a note to save myself).

Some musical highlights included Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Oscar & Martin, Cut/Copy and Big Freedia. The only real dampener was Grinderman announcing they are calling it a day.

Did you go too? Did we miss something?

Hello. If you’re in Victoria, are you enjoying this sun? I’m lapping it up after months of rain and soggy shoes. So, a few things have happened since I last checked in.

I’ve recently got back from Sydney after spending a couple of days there. I went up because I wanted to see my dad accept a national teaching award at the Sydney Opera House. He is a university lecturer, and while we don’t see eye-to-eye at times and occasionally bicker, I admit that he must be good at what he does. I’ve never been inside the Opera House before and I’ve got to say, it was a pretty overwhelming experience. It’s all flashy purple carpet, sprawling stairways, wide-open rooms and panoramic views of the harbour. The caterers at the event even referred to me as `sir’. People don’t refer to me as `sir’ very often, which was cool. And I was proud as punch when I saw my dad up on stage to accept his award. Hopefully I can make something of myself one day too.

Big, white pointy building

During my time in Sydney, I also had a wander around to soak up the city’s many sights and sounds. I went to the NSW National Gallery one day, which was brilliant. If you’re ever in Sydney and you have a bit of time on your hands, I’d definitely recommend checking it out. You don’t even have to know a great deal about art to appreciate the work on display. It ranges from the classical to the contemporary. I know I generally ramble about music within this blog but I think visual art is important too. Art and music compliment one another. They go hand in hand. They both make you think and can affect your emotions. From Bill Viola’s eerie videos of silhouettes emerging from a haze of static whitewash to Patricia Piccinini’s bizarre hyperrealist sculptures, the contemporary artwork on display at the gallery moves its audience in one way or another. It raises questions and presents many instances of incongruity (like trying to decipher the meaning and motivation as to why an artist would attach a concrete stairwell to a painting). The artwork is engaging because it challenges its audience and we all need to be challenged sometimes, because otherwise, we become lazy and uninspired, and there’s nothing worse than following a path to the mundane and monotonous.

Patricia Piccinini’s artwork: kinda freaky

Back in Melbourne, I’ve started working as an intern at Everguide.com.au, which is an events listing website that covers music, culture and entertainment around Australia. I go into the office every Friday and get to write bits and pieces on upcoming gigs, festivals and music news. I love it. I used to work at a newspaper, where I would write hard news stories and report the `facts’ and nothing else. There is no room for opinion in hard news. However, at Everguide, it’s the complete opposite. They actually encourage their staff to develop a `voice’ and to add a bit of personality within their writing. For a long time, I was reluctant to include my own voice in anything I wrote (just have a glance at some of my earliest blog entries or reviews), so it’s nice being able to have creative freedom at Everguide. If you get the time, I’d suggest you sign up to the website. There’s plenty of interesting things on there to have a poke around at. There’s even a mobile app that you can download to ensure you’re always up with the latest gigs and events. Oh, and keep an eye out for me too. My username is JACKP (I know, it’s not the most zany or adventurous username getting around but at least you’ll know who it is).

Meredith Music Festival

And my favourite aunty has invited me to her 21^st. I’m stoked. It’s going to be awesome. But 21^st you say? How can that be? Well, she isn’t your average aunty. In fact, she’s every live music lovers favourite aunty. I’m of course referring to Aunty Meredith and the 21^st Meredith Music Festival. I’ve already nabbed a few tickets to the event. I was never going to miss this one; I just had too much fun last year. This year’s lineup is a top-notch smorgasbord of delectable musical treats, with Saint Nick Cave and his merry men in Grinderman sitting atop the bill. Accompanying Grinderman will be atmospheric instrumental rockers Explosions in the Sky, experimental groovers Gang Gang Dance, local skuzz rock lads King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and many, many more. If you’ve never been to the festival before you really need to go. The location is breath taking and everyone who attends the festival is friendly. You camp beside strangers and leave with friends. It’s awesome. I received a ticket confirmation email from Aunty Meredith while at work the other day and even got a laugh out of her when I replied. As below:

To: jacko_pilvo@hotmail.com
Subject: Thankyou, see You in the Sup
From: auntym@mmf.com.au
Dear Jack

Thanks very much for your ticket purchase to Meredith’s 21st.
Your tickets will be sent out from early November. You will receive an email from GreenTix once they have been dispatched.
Drop me a note anytime.
Looking forward to seeing you in the Sup.
cheers and very best,
Aunty

Subject: RE: Thankyou, see You in the Sup

Dear Meredith,

I love you dearly, maybe even more so than my real life aunties (one always smells like horses and the other one is overseas, so I never see her). I was never going to miss your 21st. My first experience at Meredith was just too delightful.

Cheers

JP

Re: Thankyou, see You in the Sup‏

“one always smells like horses” AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!! O boy that is hilarious and cracked me right up young man. Thankyou for brightening an already-bright afternoon!

you are always welcome at the Supernatural Amphitheatre, JP, always. Stay in touch.
aunty

Finally, I still think Autolux are one of the best bands that you’ve never heard of. I’ve been listening to them a lot lately. They are like my own little musical secret that I’m spreading. Their music drifts between gritty post rock and ambient pop. Check out their albums Future Perfect and Transit Transit. I hope they come to play shows in Australia in the not so distant future. Fingers crossed.

Autolux: awesome

Ok. Well that’s all for now really. Until next time.

Jack