Gig Watch: Future Festival 2007

By Cara Coretesian
Photos By Jacqui Machuca & Sean Lynch

I remember the days when the only big festival of the year was the Big Day Out. And that was a pretty sweet event. Underage drinking, pashing boys and bands that incited sweating and headbanging.

But as I grow older - and by older, I mean past my teens...so sad - I've noticed that the days of headbanging are gone. The days of over indulging on illicit substances while you walk around a venue full of people without tops on...is in.

This year more than any other, dance festivals have popped up quicker than zits on a fourteen year olds face. From Summerdaze to Good Vibrations and now Future Festival (the quick replacement of Two Tribes) - we have another excuse for all the guys and gals in the world that you see out on a Saturday night that think they are "Wacky", "Out There" and "Zany" to join as one in a drug fuelled orgy of repeating beats and thumping base. Let's not deny it, some of the stuff DJ's are pulling out these days is just superb.

I must admit, after a pretty heavy night out before - the idea of a Sunday music festival started to lose it's appeal rather quickly. After sleeping through the pre-arranged "Pre-Drinks" with friends, I finally caught the train to the Myer Music Bowl, where the line had already burgeoned back to Flinders Street. To be honest, at 2 O'Clock in the afternoon with a mother of a hangover - lines were not my best friend. None the less, the line was bursting with excitment.

As we finally entered the venue - the atmostpheare was electric. I immediately headed towards the Mischief Stage, where master-DJ's The Midnight Juggernauts were just finishing their set. They were phenominal. The crowd quickly made their move towards their various preffered stages. I made my way towards where the cult Bang Gang DJ's had begun. I must admit, daytime dancing just doesn't work for me. Either that or the Bang Gang guys (who normally make for one crazy night at Melbourne's Honky Tonks club) weren't on their game. And I'm thinking of leaning towards the latter theory as the DJ who came on after them absolutley blew me away.

Joachim Garrud was without doubt the highlight for my FF07. It was one of those instances where the entire crowd merged as one, dancing to some of the coolest remixes of the year. And he seemed to be enjoying it as well! 

One of the most intriguing things about these festivals are the sheer number of people you seem to bump into. There were people who I haven't seen in years just meandering by. I was slightly surprised I didn't bump into Harold Holt, because Future Fest seemed the most likely place he would turn up - everyone else seemed to!

To be honest, everyone is going to have their own memories and opinions. For some it will be the music (Princess Superstar was superb on the Mischief Stage later on in the eve), for some it will be the amazing perve-fest (both guys and girls weren't afraid to show a bit of skin), for some it will be the fact they were so full of chemicals that they likely A) impregnated someone or B) were impregnated.

A great event - which was only made better by the slew of after parties and the brilliance of scheduling the day before a Public Holiday.

Bring of FF08!

Overall: 70%

Crowds packed the main stage	Bang Gang were disapointing
Many left early for the numerous After-Parties	Princess Superstar was a highlight