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April 5, 2008 - Showgrounds - V Festival - Melbourne, Australia Concert review by ken V Festival Melbourne was a lot smaller and less crowded than Sydney. It seemed more laid back and a better chance to see the bands up close without having to fight your way to the front. Gloomy Melbourne weather most of the day and a lot colder than Sydney. There was no D barrier at the main stage which was good. Queens of the Stone Age were awesome again. Not much of a push at the front before the Pumpkins came on compared to Sydney. Started like the Sydney show with Today and Tarantula but then played Stand Inside Your Love. The Mosh Pit went down during Tonight Tonight and unfortunately some dude next to me popped his knee and had to be carried out. A few changes to the lyrics of Superchrist as it was "Bon Scott said let there be drums, Bon Scott said let there be bass etc" Billy thanked the Queens of the Stone Age and said it was proof that being green is a good thing and drugs do work! Also mentioned the Jesus and Mary Chain and it was at one of their shows in 1986 that he met his future ex-wife. Jesse came out again with the tambourine during The Rose March. Billy whispered something into Jesses ear and at the end of the song introduced Jesse by saying " how about a round of applause for my brother Jesse" . Jesse comes to the mic and shouts out "thank you Australia" the crowd down the front roar and start chanting "Jesse Jesse". Billy smiled and looked happy for the warm reception his brother got. After playing United States the Pumpkins went off stage before the encore. While they were offstage the chant for Zero started. It got louder and louder and i'm sure the band would have heard it out back. When the band came back out i thought that Billy was just doing a tease of Zero as he half heartedly started. He mumbled a few words and then to our surprise they really did play Zero. Im sure it was not planned or on the setlist as they haven't played it all year. It was one of the highlights of the night and got the crowd pumped up. The band went off and Billy started thanking the crowd from corner to corner like it was the end of the show. The chant started again but this time it was "One more song,One more Song" which got louder and louder. Billy hesitated looked around and looked out back and there was Jimmy, Ginger and Jeff hesitating but decided to come back on stage. We were going to get another song! Billy started singing the Men at work song Down Under before deciding to play Cherub Rock as their final song. i suspect Cherub Rock was the encore song that was on the setlist before they decided to play Zero. I thought the setlists had a great mix of old and new songs from all albums mixed in. It was a well balanced setlist for the 4 shows in Sydney and Melbourne. Im sure that many fans wanted more of the old songs to be played (especially from Siamese Dream and Gish) but we cant live in the past as we must also give the new album and songs a chance. we should appreciate and respect the musical evolution of the Pumpkins as they create and grow with the times. If we are lucky to have the Pumpkins around in 10-20 years i'm sure we will be screaming for the very songs that they are releasing in todays age as our favourite old songs. I hope we wont have to wait another 10 years before the Pumpkins come back to Australia and i hope they never leave Australia out on a world tour again, (like they did on their farewell tour in 2000.) I'm just glad the Pumpkins are back and creating music so that we hopefully have many more songs,albums and tours to look forward to and enjoy in the future As long as you stay true to yourselves you will always rock and your true fans will support and respect you as your music and creativity evolves. The Pumpkins are back! looking forward to a rocking future Live ON! The next morning at the Qantas Club at Melbourne airport i see Jimmy and Jeff waiting for their flight to Perth which they were scheduled to play that night. Their last show to wind up their tour of Down Under.
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