XLive Music Festival post-mortem
Tags: XLive Music Festival,music,nightlife | Posted on 21 May 2008 by sarahOk, so it seems like we've got it made when it comes to music fests. Of course, there was 02 Days of Freedom last week (and the furor that occured later...) and over the weekend, we had XLive featuring Missy E, Yoji, Filo & Peri, Goodnight Electric, etc (you guys probably know who by now kan?).
While Freedom enjoyed good reviews by its attendees (as evident in the comments you guys left - thanks peeps!), the same can't be said for XLive. I've been Googling blogs and reading reviews about it and can safely say that it's a mixed bag right now. But since yours truly was there to experience XLive, I have my own opinions about it that I will share in our June issue.
But for now, some photos from the event. Excuse the crappiness of pictures as photography is not really my strength.
My friends and I got there kinda early and found a long line waiting for us. We had trouble getting into the event and got bounced to a few counters before actually entering. You can see from the pic that XLive had a healthy attendance. Good job considering they only started promoting the event in late April.
I have to bring this up though. When we entered, we noticed that no one was around to pass out venue maps or performing schedules. It's fine for me because I had an itinerary in my press kit, but I couldn't help but wonder what about the rest? How would they know who was performing when and where? Did you guys encounter any issues with this?
Most people I knew had trouble finding the XLR8 stage, which was where acts like TAG, Lap Sap and B4C were playing. As a result, it was pretty much empty the whole night, save for the last 2 hours. Indonesia's Goodnight Electric played to a pretty empty crowd, which is a disappointment because they're really quite good!
The XLR8 stage. You could count how many people were there. Dan The Automator was supposed to perform but fell ill at the last minute and cancelled.
The XL-Tronic stage was a lot more successful though. The DJs slotted were great and everyone looked to be having a genuinely good time. Yes, there were some kemaruk shufflers if anyone's wondering ... (inside joke)
I have to really give it up to the performers though. Maliq and D'Essentials were great to watch and listen to, and so was Parkdrive. Lap Sap's set from 1am to 4am was fun as usual, and so was Spaceship's hip hop set.
And Missy?
Honestly, I was underwhelmed by her performance. If I explain why, this blog post would be even longer than it already is. But here's a video that we took of her set:
I think I prefered the impromptu performances by the fire-eaters, stilt-walkers, drum circle and b-boys more, actually.
Perhaps I was too cold and needed some warmth.
Let me know what you thought, though - did you like it or not? I've linked some blogs from people who went:
www.strawberryvodka.blogspot.com
www.flyme2polaris.blogspot.com
XLive Music Festival 2008
07:00PM - 17 May 2008Filed under Music
Venue: Genting Highlands Outdoor Theme Park | Train: N/A
Address: Genting Highlands Theme Park Genting Highlands,Pahang
Price: RM258 (VIP), RM188 (presale), RM118 (at the door) | Contact: N/A
E-mail: N/A | Website: N/A
5 comments
This event was so bad that we shouldn't even compare it with Freedom! It's like a Ferrari and Proton. Wonder why the person who reported about Freedom wasn't at Genting as well. Oh i forgot, he's never been anywhere else except for his village in PD.
Anyway, i didn't expect much at Genting, the line up wasn't fantastic at all. And somehow, i knew that fat ass superstar Missy would pull what she did! At least she made it though. Overall, most of the performances sucked and i didn't experience the true festival feeling at this event. Come to think of it, PD has been the best venue in Malaysia so far. I remember Revelation there was quite fun as well.
Thank goodness i got my ticket for free!
damn bad management la
no signages to show the other 2 stage
haihhhh
I think this is the WORSE event in Genting history. great venue but its like going for some 20 cent event. The event management mustbe high to think that people can find their way around the venue!
If it wasnt because of YOJI, this event would have been a total rip off. X-Live SUXX big time
Honestly, the only reason why I wanted to drive all the way to Genting was to wear my striped vintage black & white sweater, a thick piece almost impossible to wear in KL. Not only that, I have never experienced TAG or Lapsap out of KL, so hey, why not? And oh, of course not to forget - Missy E will be performing (though I am not a fan, her beats are pretty groovy compared to other artistes out there).
Overall, the weather was absolutely fantastic. Nothing beats partying in the cold. I can let my hair down to look pretty and not sweat like a pig.
Midnight Electric was pumping, too bad they didn't play a longer set.
So what if the dance floor was empty?
There's only more space for us to dance, especially with Xu's & Blink's energetic set.
Better than rubbing bodies together in poor attempt to re-make the film Dirty Dancing.
We left XLR8 stage to check out Missy Elliot. Not only it was stuffy, the Diva was bloody late and all of us suffered headache by the monotonous background music. We left and never returned. No regrets. Apparently she wasn't great. My other friends were awed by her dancers. Who is the superstar again?
Besides complaining about the unnecessary wait for Missy, we needed to refuel (alcohol) and it was only Tuborg beer they served. We felt sick after drinking our beers. There was limited access to purchase drinks and it was truly frustrating especially in a cold weather. Whiskey is supposed to keep you warm. But where's the whiskey?
I am thirsty now.
Definitely not for a Tuborg.
the only reason why I wasn't satisfied with the event was only because of the schedule.
the rest was aweseom! :D