Gig Watch: Daft Punk - Never Ever Land 2007

By Sean Lynch
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Daft Punk's Nevereverland has Melbourne punters in awe

Who would have expected a hundred years ago that two idiots in motorbike helmets could become the two of the most influential things in music? Well, Nostradamus would likely be a good answer - but apart from the bearded wonder - it's something of a mystery. That is, of course, you've seen Daft Punk live...

Never have I encountered such hype surrounding a gig in my life as I have for the utterly epic NEVEREVERLAND. Not only was it the eagerly anticipated long awaited return of the arty Frenchmen Daft Punk - but it also boasted one of the best electro lineups Melbourne's ever seen, giving the likes of Summerdaze, Future Fest or Good Vibrations a mighty good run for their money.

Heading through the lush Melbourne gardens, the excitement amongst the throngs of fans was electric. Unlike many of the other festivals being held over the summer, NEVEREVERLAND has the distinct advantage of a "Twightlight" start. The working day was over, the sun had settled into that glorious burnt-orange golden shade it so often does on sensational Aussie summer afternoons - and the general mood over well being was flowing across the grassy plains.

As we entered the venue, it was like one massive house party. For some reason, I think I bumped into nearly every person that I've ever come in contact with in my life ever. Unlike other festivals held at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl (which has always been somewhat of a disappointment to me) there didn't seem to be the urgency and cramped intensity on display which so often destroys shows here - it almost fest as if the weather had tricked everyone into believing they had just popped by for a casual BBQ at a friends place.

After a quick trip to the bar (thankfully, the "Drink Card" system implemented at Park Life had been shown the door in favour of the much-taken-advantage-of "2 Drink At A Time Minimum") our newly assembled group began to scope out the various positioning option. It's tough - somewhere not to far away, yet high enough up to ensure the shorter folk in the group didn't waste their cash. Eventually a happy medium was found - and the evening got underway.

Cut Copy delivered more of the "So-Bland-It's-Cool" 80s electro which has found them a cult audience across the country. I still stand by the fact that they aren't actually bringing anything new to the genre (most modern electro-pop bands happily reference their 80s influence - but Cut Copy just seem to throw on whatever Aha cassingle they have lying around and hope that no one notices). In their defence, however, it must be said that the sound emanating from the venue seemed like it was only on at half volume. It was almost like there was a party next door, where you could hear there was something fun going on, but you simply werent invited.

The Presets kicked into gear just after 7pm, and boy, do they know how to blow your balls off. I hate being "that guy", but bugger me if I don't prefer the good old days when no one knew who the Presets were. I loved cramming into little clubs and watching Julian & Kim belt out some killer electro. But, it's only natural that mainstream success wasn't far away - so I guess I should enjoy it. The boys ripped out classics Are You The One, I Go Hard I Go Home and Down Down Down as well as the killer new single The People. If there was ever going to be a break though club song from these guys - The People it is. It -Goes-Off.

Finally, as the sun began to set just after 9pm, the crowd began to bunch up - the tension could be cut with a knife. And then.... it began.

Robot Rock exploded from the speakers (which has well and truly been turned "Up to 11" after the muted tones of Cut Copy) with wave after wave of neon lights. It's almost hard to describe what unfolded, with Daft Punk delivery quite simply the single greatest sound and light show since the local Planetarium had a "2-For-1 Deal".

All the hits (Around The World, Technologic, One More Time, Harder Better Faster Stronger to name but a few) were received as one would expect, the crowd erupting in what can only be described as an aural orgasm.

The light show was simply phenomenal, with each track masterfully mixed and matched (check out some of the clips on YouTube to hear some of the better monster-mashes) in time to the neon pyramid. Interestingly enough, Daft Punk announced that a DVD of the tour would not be released as they felt that there was simply no way of "Capturing the Enormity of the experience" - and there's part of me that has to agree with such an outrageous statement.

Because no matter how big your LCD screen is, no matter how extensive your sound system is, no matter how much green house gas you emit - there is something so Epic about the NEVER EVER LAND experience, it's almost a relief that the experience will remain one of the privelaged thousands that were lucky enough to score tickets.

More lights followed, including a phenomenal change in the infamous robot suits which created the illusion that Daft Punk had just returned from the set of Tron. The night concluding just after 11pm with thousands of satisfied customers singing their hearts out to Elvis' I Cant Help Falling In Love With You and Viva Las Vegas.

Epic. Surreal. Quite possibly the greatest show on earth.

Overall: 100%

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