Homebake is a brilliant festival. I advise everyone thinking about going to do it.

I was there too in '05 and got pretty smashed during the set by the band playing before Finn Brothers; The Living End. I consider it to be an unfortunate accident, as I've going to festivals in Europe similar to Homebake for years and never was uncomfortable at all. I just was in the wrong place at the wrong moment with the wrog people (ie. young hardcore Living End fans).

GO!

Security at HB 05 was a joke - sure we all had our bags searched on the way in, and their policy was no glass bottles - but still one of our group got hit in the head with a glass bottle during The Living End's set. The website touted no moshing or crowdsurfing, yet security were encouraging this by throwing out an inflatable crocodile, among other things, for cretins to crowdsurf on.

Aside from all of that, there were drunk morons everywhere you looked, and I still can't get the smell of rotting flesh out of my nostrils two and half years later. Don't ask me where the smell of rotting flesh came from, but it was absolutely revolting.

Perfectchord, I would say there's safety in numbers and I wouldn't go to HB on my own in a pink fit. That said, you'd probably be ok on your own as long as you were vigilant. Gauge the crowd - see what bands are up before the Crowdies and decide whether or not it's safe to go down to the front.

As for me, after the near death experience of HB 05 (wouldn't have wanted to nearly die with anyone but you, Pen!) I'm sitting this one out. I don't care if it's the only gig the Crowdies play in this hemisphere for the next decade.

quote:

Originally posted by Mrs Horse Pants:
I wouldn't go to Homebake again if you paid me.

I second that sentiment. I'd have to get really *really* drunk, obnoxious, and not care a whit for my safety/security before I'd consider braving that throng for anyone Finn again.

The panic attack I had in the mosh pit during the Living End, as well as the bruises, bleeding wounds, and people spilling their booze on me pretty much negated any enjoyment I had during that experience.

i think the clear answer is to not go see a rowdy rockabilly/pop/punk band before crowded house.

The problem with that is some people want to get a good pozzie and that's not possible if you don't hang around while the other bands are on.

I totally understand those not wishing to go again. I don't find it enjoyable to be in the crush of manic fans jumping, drinking, surfing, vomiting (yes, it happens) etc.

I'm sure not all Homebake's are like this but every festival you see now has that element of crowd in front of the stage.

quote:

Originally posted by Kazzie:
The problem with that is some people want to get a good pozzie and that's not possible if you don't hang around while the other bands are on.

too true Kazzie. And exactly the reason I've decided not to go. I was really excited when I heard about this but I'm just not a festival person anymore and can't justify the time & cost to sit through a whole day's worth of acts I don't like, just to see my absolute favourite for half an hour.

Roll on the warm-up show/s....or any other dates while they're here (it's a long way to come to play just one half-hour festival set!).

Please??????

quote:

Originally posted by esquared:
i think the clear answer is to not go see a rowdy rockabilly/pop/punk band before crowded house.

Like we had a say in it!

The crowd at Living End weren't that bad... Sure its not a indoor theatre or something but I thought it was pretty good. Better than Silverchair the next year...

Ch will probably do other shows anyway, not just homebake. There is the demand for them

i got a good spot a few metres back after living end without having to push anyone, and i rocked up as they finished. was too busy watching other good acts. homebake doesn't seem to have the camp-out-and-get-a-good-spot emphasis like, say, big day out.

world - depends on exclusivity contracts, etc too though. homebake might just be bringing them out for a special one-off gig to headline.

hope not, but its very possible.

quote:

Originally posted by Mrs Horse Pants:
I wouldn't go to Homebake again if you paid me.

Yep. Not even if you paid for my trip. I remember that croc, and I also remember seeing people being pulled out of the crowd for fear of being squashed. This was an experience I could have done without.

And thanks again, Guy, for standing up to those guys!

I had a great time at the Homebake FinnBros show - but then I was happy to hang back a little bit (towards the middle of the crowd). Seriously, if you can't stand a bit of push and shove the front of a festival crowd is the last place you should be hanging out - favourite band or not. Doesn't mean you can't still have a good time at a festival like Homebake.

To be in the middle of a big open air crowd singing every word is worth any minor inconveniences through the day. Just my opinion/experience mind.

well said, goggles.

anyway, its a day full of other bands and most of the good ones are on the side stages. why hang at the front of the mainstage all day?

quote:

Originally posted by Perfectchord:
however, i wld be coming by myself and am a 5ft tall female. what do homebake veterans think ... is it safe for me to be there alone?, i know some of you wld never go again for safety reasons so i am a bit concerned ...

I went alone to Homebake in 2005 and was fine. The Domain is a great venue and you'll spend most of the day wandering between the various stages to catch different sets. There are so many great young Aussie bands to see- Little Red, Eddy Current Suppression Ring and Sparkadia are just a few for this year.

I think the key for any festival is to know something about the bands that are playing. I don't go into the mosh at The Living End's headlining shows, so I stood by the back barrier of the pit near the soundboard and enjoyed their set before making my way to front when they finished. I was able to get a decent position relatively close to the stage for The Finn Brothers.

Yes, there will be lots of drunk people and you will be squished next to others who mostly want to hear Crowded House's greatest hits. If you can live with that then I would recommend that you go. However, if you are only interested in seeing Crowded House, you may want to skip Homebake and see them at their own show (if there are any warm-ups like in 2005). Just remember that it is a festival so get out there to see other bands.

Great that some of you all had better experiences that myself, Penny, Suzanne and Ash did at Homebake 05. Actually we didn't 'hang at the front of the mainstage all day', we started moving down there much later in the day and in fact were a way back from the front, which was part of the problem. Having never seen The Living End before we had no way of knowing what kind of crowd they were going to have.

For us, it sucked, end of story. No need for anyone here to be preaching at us about what we should have done.

quote:

Eddy Current Suppression Ring

evidently, im listening to primary colours again now and holy **** i think im as excited for these guys as i am for crowded house.

quote:

Originally posted by Mrs Horse Pants:
Great that some of you all had better experiences that myself, Penny, Suzanne and Ash did at Homebake 05. Actually we didn't 'hang at the front of the mainstage all day', we started moving down there much later in the day and in fact were a way back from the front, which was part of the problem. Having never seen The Living End before we had no way of knowing what kind of crowd they were going to have.

For us, it sucked, end of story. No need for anyone here to be preaching at us about what we should have done.

You're absolutely right Mrs. It's not like we were a bunch of kids who had never been to festivals before. It wasn't nice, not nice at all.

But the Finn Brothers were brilliant, especially with Nick and Eddie playing with them. So that made it all worthwile.

Homebake sucks.

Sydneysiders that time of year normally go interstate or into bomb shelters because of the toxic, rancid smell that wafts out of the domain and out toward the harbour and CBD.

quote:

Originally posted by electric_blue_o0o:
Homebake sucks.

Speaking of Homebake, how has your head recovered EB? It's still so hard to believe that some idiot through a GLASS bottle and it hit you in the head. Another reason to give security the big thumbs down...

I was really worried about you that night and I'm just so glad that we all got out in one piece, albeit traumatised.

I'm still torn....I don't want to miss this gig and I'm certainly not going to settle for a position up the back. In my opinion, it's a much better experience seeing your favourite band from up near the front. Several concert experiences since then (U2, Powderfinger, CH) have mostly restored my faith in crowd behaviour. At least I've got plenty of time left to decide.

from the HB WWW

"CROWDED HOUSE…What more can be said about this most iconic act that has not already been expressed via the many thousands of gushing critical reviews written throughout the world. Whether on record or via live performance, Crowded House remain one of Australia/New Zealand's most respected and important bands to have graced the world stages; achieving massive hits throughout America, the UK, Europe, Scandinavia and of course within their home territories throughout their incredible career. In 2007, Crowded House released their first chart topping album in ten years titled 'Time On Earth' and spawning a much heralded and welcome return to the stages via a headline appearance at Live Earth. Originally being proposed as a solo album for Neil Finn, through the intervention of time, chance and tragedy (and dare we add fate), after much procrastination and emotional thought, the world was once again graced with the presence of Crowded House. Since that period, Crowded House have been performing to packed houses including shows throughout the UK, Europe and Russia as well as a main stage appearance at the recent 2008 Glastonbury Festival. Sydney city will never forget the amazing and historical spectacle that was Crowded House performing on the forecourt of the Opera House to an estimated audience of 200,000 on November 24th 1996. Come December 6th 2008, history will once again be created as Crowded House return to perform just meters away from that same location – although this time, within the hallowed grounds of the Domain, Central Sydney City as they join us for this incredibly special version of HOMEBAKE"