THE SOUTH...

Rip It Up, Issue 79, 1 February 1984, Page 30

THE SOUTH...

Sweetwaters South beckoned on a gloomy Monday morning. Expectations were high for a Christchurch public deprived of top entertainment. Here then was a chance to see six bands of diverse national and international acclaim.

We entered the QEII stadium to the boldly assured sound of Netherworld Dancing Toys, followed by the pop veneer of Dance Exponents. Both bands attempted to shift the crowd from its grey weather torpor and by the numbers dancing they succeeded. The break that followed allowed the crowd to take in the stalls on offer in the park, where those driven by gluttony waited in serpentine lines to take in the delights of Mexican, Greek, health, fast and liquid refreshments. Others

simply sat around and talked or, under various influences, passed out. Typical festival behaviour. The first rays of sunshine welcomed in the Joßoxers, who chose to parry rather than punch. Only their stage presentation and the hit 'Just Got Lucky' saved them. Simple Minds foraged for audience response and got it with a combination of artful swagger and seductive cheekiness. However, as my astute companion Little Weez reminded me, the transition between indoor and outdoor venue had yet to be breached by the bands.

The Pretenders at last breached that barrier. Their arena-oriented show, with guitar onslaught, was effectively aggressive and provided the first real highlight of the day. Hynde was superb, lavishing old and new material on a riveted crowd. The shame was that their set only lasted just over an hour. Just after 9pm David Byrne sauntered on stage with acoustic guitar and backing tape for 'Psycho Killer' and with such austere beginnings began the Talking Heads revue. Each song saw a new member enter. They were simply great. The celebrations lasted on stage and off for over two hours. A break during the performance saw two Maori women address the crowd about the implications of Waitangi Day but they were poorly received. The stutter in mood was quickly overcome and Talking Heads encored with 'Born Under Punches' and the crowd milled out. The question lingers was it all worth it? S.J. Townshend