Global Gathering
Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
Saturday 22nd November, 2008

Some days, the gods are just against you. You’re rolling craps and coming up snake eyes. The hot girl you finally work up the courage to ask out got a new boyfriend last week. You’re a dollar short when buying a round at the pub. When this kinda thing happens, it’s best to take stock, step back and realise there’s nothing you can do about it.

Case in point Melbourne’s Global Gathering knees-up. For a start, Saturday featured some of the most ungodly weather seen in many a November. The hardy punters who braved the elements were treated to a banquet of hail, constant showers and gale-force winds; many stayed away in droves. No doubt the rain contributed to a reasonably large number of technical difficulties, too. Finally, the headline act (Kraftwerk) cancelled their performance after a band member suffered a suspected heart attack just moments before going on stage. It’s fair to say that the organisers (and Kraftwerk) had a pretty catastrophic day at the office.

Having said that, there were highlights to be had. Mark Ronson for one – the DJ/producer brought his band the Version Players (read: Sharon Jones’ Dap-Kings) and didn’t disappoint, blending a mix of stomping soul, jagged R&B and up-to-date hip hop. Dropping tracks from latest album Version and lesser-known cult-classic Here Comes The Fuzz, Ronson was an assured frontman who knew how to entertain. The extended version of 'Valerie' had the crowd jumping, as did local boy Daniel Merriweather. Someone get this guy a beer.

Other names did live up to the hype, including Sasha and Above & Beyond on the Godskitchen stage. But once Kraftwerk had announced they weren’t playing, the mood of the crowd dropped as the reality of standing on a rainy hill during a miserable night set in. Gorillaz Sound System - featuring a variety of guests singing over Gorillaz backing tracks - who were filling in for the Teutonic cyborgs, never had a chance. Sometimes the gods are just against you.

JimmyJames