photos. Ariel Williams

words. Aldy Kusumah

Fort Canning Park, Singapore, 29 Jan 2011

From the sizzling reverb-drenched sounds of Deerhunter to the worldbeat-pop from Yeasayer, Laneway Festivals pretty much covers all the angles. The lineup couldn't be better than this: Deerhunter, Yeasayer, Holy Fuck, !!! (Chk Chk Chk), Beach House, Foals, Warpaint, Lady Hawke, & Temper Trap. Well, i'm not a fan of Temper Trap. There's really nothing wrong with them. They're pretty good live but they're just not my cup of tea. Newcomers Warpaint sends off a dreamy psychedelic sounds and "Undertow" is surely a great song live. The second act performing is Ladyhawke, and in my humble opinion, her dancey songs works better at night (she played at 4pm if i'm not mistaken). The 3rd act is one of the most anticipated in Laneway: Beach House. Victoria Legrand eerie/dreamy voice is so lush you could beat off to her songs. Ha. She closed the set with "10 Mile Stereo" which brings goosebumps to anyone in the front row. Deerhunter didn't bring a lot of crews and technicians i suppose, cause i see Bradford Cox setting his own instruments on the stage. They played a lot from Microcastles album, and that's a good thing. Although not giving they're 100% sounds, Deerhunter is my favourite band in this festival. Next up we've got Holy Fuck, a Canadian electronic act. I didn't paid enuff attention because i was way up from the main stage queing in the merchandise booth. Apparently, they closed the set with "Lovely Allen", a single from their 2007 LP. I'm not regretting that i missed !!! (Chk Chk Chk) because me and my mates are running to the street to grab a bite. When we got back, rain pours heavily, everybody wears the free poncho and fucking Yeasayer was on stage! they opened with the EPIC "Madder Red". Their highlights is "Tight Rope" and of course "Ambling Alp. Foals got a great performance goin' on: singer kicking the percussions, throwing mic stands, and the guitar player seems to like it when his guitars crashed the cymbals! Dope! "Blue Blood" makes everyone goes crazy and danced like there's no tommorrow! I didn't have the energy to see Temper Trap as the last act. We got home bruised and euphoric.

WARPAINT

LADYHAWKE

BEACH HOUSE

DEERHUNTER

HOLY FUCK

!!! (CHK CHK CHK)

YEASAYER