Coke Zero Fest 2009 – as published mio.co.za

There were rumours that the crowds were going to avoid Coke Zero Fest this year. The line up seemed to be the guilty party in this decision, but after last year’s bands, you can only feel a bit cheated.

Two days before the actual festival, Bullet For My Valentine and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus cancelled for some pathetic reasons. I thought there would be a further dip in numbers, so things weren’t looking too good.

(FYI: Bullet For My Valentine were NOT “in studio” that weekend…they were playing our gig in someone else’s country that week. Losers.)

Thankfully, however, the rumours were just those, and the crowd poured into Riversands Farm. Most people were relieved to get out of the traffic jam that snaked it’s way down William Nicol, but what makes for the full experience of Coke Zero Fest without taking two hours to drive six kilometers?

When we arrived, Foto Na Dance were playing drearily in the background. We had missed One Day Remains which left me a little bleak, but we did get there in time to see Evolver.

Band lesson No. 1: When international acts cancel two days before a festival, call up the organisers. You could end up sharing the stage with Oasis. Good going guys!! Joburg love Evolver. Really. I have seen this guys play on many occasions, and they have suddenly picked up a massive following. It was great not being the only one singing along, and they really kicked off the Coke Zero Fest vibe!

There were the usual selection of SA bands to keep the crowds entertained while standing in a queue at the beer tent. Nobody I wouldn’t have expected to be there, but as an SA music junkie – I’m pretty easy to please.

Cassette were next, so it was around then that we thought it was a good idea to get some Nandos. I was really hoping that their new album would make them, you know, good. But it doesn’t. Their new songs sound just like the old ones. I know they have plenty fans, but despite the amounts of chances I have given this band, they are just not one I can get into. After my chicken burger, I put my headphones in and listened to aKing on my iPod.

Cape Town rockers The Dirty Skirts were great. There older songs are quite clearly more popular than their newer, record label dictated sound, but they were great fun to watch.

Zebra and Giraffe are undoubtably SA’s top act at the moment. I love everything about these guys. Their songs are catchy, original and addictive, and their live act is of international standards. They have set a new benchmark is music, style, performance and sound. They made the sunset slot a perfect one.

Panic! At The Disco were really fun to watch. I wasn’t too sure about them at the start of their set, but really got into it a few songs down. A mixture between Fall Out Boy and Kaiser Chiefs can only promise a good time. They are one of those bands that you can see are just having as much fun as they possibly can on stage and inviting us all along for the ride. They forgot their lyrics and swore a lot, but put on a good enough show to attain more fans. Good times!

I took a bit of a walk around the Golden Circle with the intention of casually ‘bumping’ into a certain someone. That, sadly, never happened, but by the time the lights were dimming and the crowd was stirring, I had found myself lodged within a huge mass of people no further that two meters from the stage.

I can’t begin to explain how amazing Snow Patrol are as a live act. Seeing them so up close and personal has been one of those experiences that wont leave me for a very long time. As South Africa was one of the stops on their world tour, we got the entire show with plenty lights, visuals and effects. Kick yourself now if you missed them.

They really were brilliant and have great interaction with the crowd. They seem like an awesome bunch of guys and the singer, Gary Lightbody, has an incredibly sexy accent. They have nudged their way into my list of five top live acts (yes – they are THAT good), and I really hope they decide to come back soon…even though I didn’t get to hook up anyone with during ‘Chasing Cars’ like every other person in my direct vicinity. Sigh. Moving on…

Now I know I am going to be slated regardless of what I say here, but Oasis really were crap. The only reason people say they were good is because it is cool to say so. Granted, I only did stay for three songs (and would never usually judge a band on such a limited time), and apparently they did end the show with a Beatles cover, so maybe some people have a point. Not a strong enough point though, to get me to sit in another two hours of traffic. So we headed out, with Snow Patrol playing in our heads and wondering who will be invited, who will show up, and who will cancel last minute for Coke Zero Fest 2010. I have some great ideas…