2009.01.16 – Big Day Out Festival, Auckland, New Zealand

Date: 16th January 2009
Event: Big Day Out Festival
Venue: Mount Smart Stadium
City: Auckland
Country: New Zealand
Support: see timetable

Tracklist:
1. World’s On Fire
2. Their Law
3. Breathe
4. Breathe (Dubstep)
5. Omen
6. Spitfire
7. Warrior’s Dance
8. Firestarter
9. Action Radar Link
10. Run With The Wolves
11. Voodoo People
Encore:
12. Take Me To The Hospital
13. Diesel Power Beats
14. Smack My Bitch Up
15. Your Love Link
16. Out Of Space

Extra info:
Boiler Room timetable:
22:15 – 23:30 The Prodigy
21:30 – 22:15 Peewee Ferris
20:30 – 21:30 Hot Chip
19:30 – 20:30 Holy Ghost!
18:30 – 19:30 Simian Mobile Disco
17:30 – 18:30 Zane Lowe
16:30 – 17:30 Lupe Fiasco
15:30 – 16:30 Z*Trip
14:45 – 15:30 Tiki Taane
14:00 – 14:45 P-Money
13:15 – 14:00 State Of Mind
12:30 – 13:15 Antiform
11:45 – 12:30 An Emerald City
11:00 – 11:45 Quay Steet Social Club

Review by xpndr:
OK, so I’m back, I’m awake, and able to recall everything about yesterday.
Before I get into the review of the Prodigy set, I must say that the other standout acts of the day for me were local legend Tiki Taane, Pendulum were very interesting and got the main stage crowd into a premature frenzy (and they played the Voodoo People Remix!), that wasn’t seen again until later in the day when the bigger acts were hitting the stages, and also a word must go out to the Living End.
First off, I now hate The Big Day Out. I cringed with disappointment when I heard the boys would be part of the festival. It would mean a whole heap of non-fans would be pushing and shoving, getting pissed and passing out in the midst of it. I think the crowds are more appreciative at a band’s own headline gig as opposed to a smelly festival.
Of course – I wouldn’t miss out – This was the 4th time the boys were coming to our shores, and only the second I would be able to see them live. The last time was in 2002, and oh boy, what a contrast. In 2002, they headlined the main stage, and delivered tunes like Nuclear, Trigger, Little Goblin fill and even debuted Baby’s Got a Temper.
But the body language was different this time – they looked a lot happier as a unit, a lot more excited to be here. 2002 was a one hour set with no encores. I think I can now understand what Keith and Liam say was a tough time in the band.
This time, they headlined the Boiler Room – still not sure if this was a good idea, just meant that a lot of people missed out. The large tent can fit in about 10000 people, but Big Day Out caters for 50000+. Either way, it was hot, and it was going to be heavy.
Before the boys hit the stage, DJ Peewee Ferris was finishing off his set, and the last tune he played was a dub version of “Ghost Town” – not sure who made this version – very nice!
So Liam, together with the drummer and guitarist hits the stage to a massive roar, and goes back behind the controls, one of his laptops now sporting the “Take Me To The Hospital” sticker. The set had two props that looked like whatever the thing is on the front cover of IMD, and those made an appearance in the background. (I will try and post some photos up later on).
Following them onto the stage soon after are of course Maxim and Keith, and the opening riffs to “World’s on Fire” can be heard. What went on for 1 hour and 15 minutes after that was pretty much constant madness, and constant fighting to stay on my feet. I was about 3 rows back from the front barrier.
The sound was actually quite good, especially when you consider that the acoustics of the Boiler Room tent are far from perfect. I had a massive grin on my face for the whole set, that only surgery could remove.
I could notice several little subtleties in the set. Liam did play around with elements of tunes and WOF had little teasting segments where all Maxim and Keith was shout “the world is on! the world is on!” Firestarter had the new breakbeat from the last few years, but the original chorus was played except for the last time round. Breathe Dub was just deep. Warrior’s Dance was special – you could see Maxim & Keith reminiscing of the old days – great club thumper that one.
But the track that took me apart the most was one I’ve never heard before: Take Me To The Hospital. Nuff said.
Omen – despite being new got a really good reception, but of course the crowd here only really came fore Breathe, Firestarter and SMBU, and were totally destroyed when Out of Space finished off the night.
Top job boys! That was freaking awesome!

Poster: