Made it

Well I got through Mother's Day OK. As with other 'occasions', it is probably the anticipation that is harder than the actual day. I missed Sam a lot, but once again managed to fill my day with great people and fun.

My brother-in-law (along with another of his brothers) and I went to Groovin' the Moo yesterday. We were talking about how we probably wouldn't have gone to the festival in the past. I fear I am getting too old for festivals (I will explain shortly), and although I liked some of the bands who were playing, I get the shits with all the idiots that seem to come along with it.
So, while we both love live music, it probably wouldn't have been something we'd have gone out of our way to do. Samuel would have enjoyed it I think, but I'm not sure I would have even thought about taking him. Of course, while we were there, I kept thinking about how much I wished he was there.

James and I were talking about how we were living differently since we lost Sam. We're taking up opportunities that we normally wouldn't have: such as going to a festival, or going rock climbing and go-karting together (as the big boys did recently). The drinks on Sundays are new...I've talked about all this before, so you know what I mean.
We're sad that it took Sam's death for us to realise what was important (and I wish so much that I'd realised before he died), but we agreed it's good that something positive has come out of it.

Groovin' the Moo
The festival was interesting enough. It was a beautiful day, so sitting around listening to music wasn't a bad way to spend it. We got there early enough to get a good spot on the hill overlooking the stage, and kept it until we got frustrated with people walking over us. But then again, this prompted a move to the crowd in front of the stage, where we stayed for the rest of the night.

The line-up is here, but some of the highlights for me were:

British India - A great set, with a pretty cool cover of Nirvana's 'Lithium' the highlight. They have some good songs, I might have to buy their album. They certainly had my tapping my feet. It was also still fairly uncrowded and relaxed at that stage.

Grinspoon - I've never really liked Grinspoon all that much. I liked a few of their songs, etc, but hadn't thought much about them. I must say I've changed my tune - they put on a really awesome set. They were energetic, played and sang well, engaged the crowd, and played the right songs. I will definitely go and buy some of their albums, and would probably even go and see them again. I was my favourite set.

Silverchair - They started out a bit slow, but finished with a few great songs. Daniel Johns was pissed (or something), and alternated between saying really odd things, berating the crowd for not cheering enough, and playing/singing quite well. There were a couple of songs probably best left for a stand-alone show, but on the whole it was good. I was happy that they played 'The Greatest View', as it was one of Samuel's (and mine) favourite songs.

Tegan and Sara - They played well, and were good with the crowd, but I've never been that into them. Entertaining enough I guess.

Vampire Weekend - I really like some of their songs, and they played well, but there was just something about it that didn't get me moving enough. It might have been because I didn't know all the songs.

Perhaps it was because they played after a really boring set (for me) by Empire of the Sun. My goodness, what a bunch of self-indulgent pap! OK, so they might be musically very great, but I found their set mind-numbingly boring, even with the strangely dressed dancers gyrating around the stage.
Some acts just don't seem to understand that a festival crowd is a bit different. They are a mix of many different people, and you have to play the hits, play music that's going to get people excited. James, Phil and I had moved quite close to the stage for the last few bands, and you really noticed the difference between Grinspoon's set (lots of excited, happy, bouncing people) and Empire of the Sun (people just standing around, walking away etc). I thought Lisa Mitchell's set was a bit like that too. She just disappeared on the stage, and didn't even play her most famous song.

Anyway, it was an OK day. I think I'm getting a bit too old for festivals. I was getting very peeved with all the stupid, drunk, obnoxious, loud people, but I guess that's what a festival's all about. Perhaps I'll stick to just seeing the bands I really want to see.

But it was a good way to spend a day I didn't want to think about too much. Thanks boys.