by Booney » Mon Mar 19, 2018 11:20 am
Our group of 8 became a group of 7 late on Saturday morning as “Nanna” duties befell one of the ladies in the group, the remaining 7 decided, unanimously, to fight on regardless.
Yours truly had the BBQ fired up at 11am with the guests due to arrive at 12 noon for the 1pm bus. All went as expected, a couple of heart starters and a burger or steak sanga and away we go.
The liquor licence was purchased for the bus meaning a couple of froths along the way. The ladies needed the first bladder buster at the servo opposite the Holdfast ( we left Alberton about 20 minutes ago), the men used this chance to grab a long neck each at the walk / drive thru, hey, we only had two more each for the drive. It was longer than expected.
As we entered McLaren Vale the ladies decided the Shell servo would be a good idea to use given there may be line ups at the gate delaying entry / bladder buster.
Upon arrival we found very few at the gate, very little security given the long list of caveats on the website ( could have easily taken a bottle in, next time! ) and we positioned ourselves front right of stage, just alongside the sound tent.
The Fauves had just kicked off when we plonked down, didn’t see much of them as we were setting up camp, Tumbleweed followed and although not familiar with their work my foot and head were following the drummers right foot. Veruca Salt with Louise, Nina and a couple of chaps rolled through a small selection of tunes ending off with best known hit, “Seether”. Pretty tight, pretty good.
Kram then made his way to the stage with the other two Spiderbait members just as the gloomy, cloudy day turned to a menacing looking late afternoon that when looking out to sea, you could see, it was going to get wet. Unfortunately Spiderbait was much like the afternoon, a bit grey, a bit over cast and not really that exciting. The disappointment of the day for me although some chilled out folks sitting on chairs on the lawn wasn’t really “up” for a Spiderbait blast.
Steady but light rain was now falling as darkness fell and the crowd was ready for headliner, The Living End. Never one to disappoint the trio rolled out some classics, threw in a new number and played one of my all time favourite live tracks, Uncle Harry…..whoooaaaaa UNCLE HARRY! The wind had now dropped, the rain was light and steady and TLE were rocking.
I’ll admit, by now, the Matilda Bay Pale’s were taking their toll and my sage move of having some Jacks and Coke in the esky for the drive home was a smart, yet ultimately near fatal move. I got through Sunday, alive, just.
All in all a really good venue with plenty of amenities, a well functioning bar staff system and enough food trucks for everyone to be happy.
My first “A Day on the Green” was well worth the effort and I’ll be back again, line up attractive enough, again.
PAFC. Forever.
LOOK OUT, WE'RE COMING!