As fireworks dazzle the harbour with brilliant vibrancy when the clock strikes midnight, Sydneysiders will promise that this is the start of a “new me” on NYE, most of which is absolute bullshit. One minute you’re having a spiritual awakening to become a more responsible human, the next you’re doing beer bongs shirtless in your mate’s backyard while wearing speed dealers and sprinting through Field Day to be in the front row when Peking Duk drop ‘Sandstorm’.
It’s all understandable, though – Field Day’s well-rounded line-up of dance, hip-hop and indie makes it hard not to party. It’s become Sydney’s biggest and best way to welcome in the new year, and here we’ve picked our Top 5 favourite moments from the 2015 edition. Check it out:
Dillon Francis inducted himself into the Australian Hall of Fame when he sculled a beer from a Nike Roshe during his closing set. Luckily, we were able to capture the famed shoey in the image above, which has now been circulating around the Interwebs at a rapid pace. The accompanying video is also quite enjoyable. There’s nothing quite like watching beer flow ever so effortlessly from a used sneaker while the big homie Joyride sings in the background. Truly a memorable moment that brought a green and gold tear to our eyes. #STRAYA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGt_JGHYEO4
Local rap party people Halfway Crooks delivered several intermission sets throughout the day – and maanged to be more enjoyable than many of the main acts themselves. Despite the unfortunate cancellation of Joey Badass’ set just a few minutes into his performance, this meant that Halfway Crooks we’re given a little more time to shine – and there were no complaints on our end. Among the highlights were bangers from Waka Flocka Flame, ILoveMakonnen, Nicki Minaj as well as Levins’ cathartic acapella rendition of Rich Gang’s ‘Lifestyle’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3jbwheQWw8
While we usually think that circle pits should be reserved for Slayer and/or Pennywise shows, we can make an exception when Danny Brown’s ‘Dip’ drops – complete with dudes in budgie smugglers dancing with impressive synchronisation to the track’s gluggy hook. Also included: shirtless bros with Southern cross tattoos and lots of bucket hats. Lord have mercy, you can never unsee this. Also, props for Danny Brown’s chaotic performance of Rustie’s ‘Attak’ as well as his DJ closing the set by dropping Bobby Shmurda’s ‘Hot Nigga’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G83U7MyFUwQ
Quite simply, Peking Duk know how to put on a hell of a show. We love that they don’t take themselves too seriously, have a Karl Stevanovic introduction video, and are smart enough to grace the stage wearing fur coats with no shirt underneath. After smashing it at main stages across the country throughout 2014, Field Day was just another chapter in the local duo’s meteoric rise.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Things are grim.