| Sound: |    7.5 |
| Setlist: | 7 |
| Enthusiasm: | 5 |
| Banter: | 3 |
| History: | 6 |
OVERALL: |
   57% |
01/25/92 - Hordern Pavilion (Big Day Out Festival), Sydney, Australia
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| Sound: | 7.5 |
| Setlist: | 7 |
| Enthusiasm: | 5 |
| Banter: | 3 |
| History: | 6 |
OVERALL: |
57% |
The Big Day Out festival, now the largest festival of its kind actually kicked off in Sydney in 1992 at the 6,000 seat Hordern Pavilion. Murray Engleheart remembers the atmosphere around the concert. "There was an amazing sense of community, but for some the manic attraction also made for an event that ranked as one of their most frightening gig experiences. The fine line between Elan and pure unbridled fear came close to being breached on many occasions. The huge curtains that sealed off the backstage area from the view of punters never looked so ominous."
Sadly the following performance fails to live up to the hype surrounding it. The performance itself is in truth, somewhat flat. The lessening of the top end caused by the detuning of the strings seems also to have dullened the band's effect.
Nirvana though as most fans know were not simply a band who rely purely on distorted guitars and the subdued mood though does seem to have its benefits. Polly is given an unusually subtle treatment and is clearly the standout song of the set. Kurt's voice has a wonderful lilting quality when he sings softly, it becomes graceful and melodic adding a sense of poignancy in the songs.
Later on in the set it would appear that the audience's exuberance has been taken a little too far with even the band members showing concern for the fan's safety. After Come As You Are Dave asks the audience if anyone wants to leave, if it is all becoming too much for them.
Later in the set and the band still appears to be having some problems. Lithium sees the band stumbling through the song it is obvious that Kurt's voice is not at full strength. He is unable to fully deliver the song in his usual inimitable fashion and misses out much of the screaming on the chorus. His guitar playing is pretty error prone and it sounds like any minute the song is going to fall apart.
Something In The Way, performed here in electric form shows fans a radically different side to the song and is the clear highlight of what is in truth a disappointing set.
The Verdict
This concert is not without its redeeming features, Kurt's voice made me swoon on occasion and the addition of Something In The Way adds greatly to the set. Mostly though its bland bordering on poor, Kurt's voice is patently weak and this shows hugely on Lithium, which musically as well as vocally borders on farce.
Review written by Matt Seward 2002