M-ONE M-One Official Site
The day everyone rocked. Or were they filled with disappointment?
M-One was held in Melbourne on Saturday October 12th, at Colonial Stadium (now known as the Telstra Dome).
Unfortunately, M-One, (sponsored by the Triple M networks) didn't generate the popularity they had expected. I have read that ticket sales were horribly low, and most tickets (possibly 80-90% were given away through competitions). I myself won my tickets.
Even though M-One came under public scrutiny, I personally had the best day ever. Before I do launch into my account of M-One, I will say it is a pity it will not return next year.
There is now an annual festival called Rumba which launched in 2001. It's a pop festival. Perhaps they felt the need for a rock festival? I think this is the case.
Lack of promotion, and ticket prices (although Rumba's tickets go for the same price of one hundred dollars), must have contributed. Although, I do get the feeling there is a discouraging number of rock fans in Australia.
Odd of me to say, because The Big Day Out and Livid are quite popular and always attract high numbers, but those rock festivals are for the younger population. Not much to accomodate for people 20 and up, possibly?
All theories aside, I'll talk about M-One:
I dragged a friend of mine with me; literally, to Telstra Dome and we were there at approximately 10 a.m. Skipping the boring details of waiting, the gates opened about an hour or so later.
There was a mosh-pit available for folk who have the balls to be crushed. I'm 5'0, so I opted out and stood just outside of the mosh-pit, against a barricade, but I was able to clearly see the stage and had the big screen infront of me.
The show started about an hour later, and in the meantine were played music clips.
Set List: (Main Stage)
Honeydip
CrashPalace
Simple Plan
Default
The Whitlams
BREAK: Skating
The Goo Goo Dolls
BREAK: Skating
Lifehouse
The Tea Party
Nickelback
Billy Idol
Garbage
Midnight Oil
CLOSE: WWA Wrestling
Cameras were permitted, so I took two rolls of film. I ended up wasting probably 90% on Billy.
All the acts were wonderful, and had good crowd interaction.
My favourite lineup of the night was Nickelback, Billy and Garbage. Billy came onstage about 7:30 p.m.
There was a long introduction, and by this point my heart was racing and I was wide-eyed in anticipation. So he came onstage, and I then lost any scrap of maturity I might've collected over my 19 years.
I screamed, I jumped, I threw my fist in the air and brandished the heavy-metal sign throughout Idol's hour onstage.
He opened with 'Cradle Of Love' and seemed ecstatic to be performing in Australia after a 15 year absence! (Granted, the last time he was here I was 4 years old). Steve blew them away with his skills. If I was to ever pick up a guitar in the future, Steve would've inspired me to do so.
Unfortunately, I'm unaware of his set-list, but if I find it, I'll make sure to post it.
Billy pumped out all the classics, even a couple of Gen X songs.
The crowd was a sea of fists. Idol would stalk the stage, going from one end to the other, waving and pointing to fans, a smile gracing his lips.
He didn't speak much. Or maybe I was too preoccupied with staring at him, I didn't notice.
To me, it was evidently clear Billy Idol was the highlight of M-One. The man has still got it after all these years.
He changed twice. His first outfit consisted of a leather jacket which he quickly discarded, then he had some sort of sheer shirt underneath it, which later was shedded, leaving him in a sleeveless black top.
His second outfit I'm sure would've pleased most of the female audience out there. Billy came out in a leopard print shirt which was unbuttoned.
And so I just about had a coronary. At 46 Billy was (or is) looking very fit... It would've been an 80s flashback for some folk in the audience. Billy hadn't changed one bit.
Sneer in place, Billy continued with his hits, and then came another outfit; a green and black striped sleeveless shirt. I'm not sure if I noted this when he first came out, but Billy had a HUGE maraca attached to his pants, which he took hold of every so-often.
And the usual stints were in place, in particular, the crotch-grabbing, and a bit of butt-slapping. (Which, if anyone owns the VH1 Storytellers DVD, you'll remember that same scene).
Billy wrapped up with my favourite, 'Rebel Yell', and the crowd erupted in a roar. Fists were high up and everyone was shouting "more, more, more!".
He left, promising us he'd be back sooner than the last time - so I hope we don't have to wait 15 years again to see him in action!
After performing, each band would be greeted backstage for a post-show interview. Billy was clearly on a high.
M-One is something I'll forever remember. I've been to other concerts before, and despite its bad press, none even compare to M-One. I can say I've had the privilege of seeing Billy Idol in concert.
Once I get access to a scanner, I'll be sure to post some pictures up!
