Going Down......Under!!!

So after fun and frolics that was Japan. It was off to Auckland to start our run of shows with the Big Day Out Festival. First up was Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand which is one of my favourite countries in the world.

The BDO has always had an extremely strong line-up and this year is no exception with Tool, Muse, The Killers, Jet, Violent Femmes, My Chemical Romance, The Streets, The Vines among the almost 90 acts over 12 stages in one day. The main stage area is 2 stages side ny side so as soon as one band finishes another begins straight away adding up to almost 12 continous hours just in that part of the festival.

On a day off in auckland we decided that a bit of a fun excursion was in order to kick start our Summer/January tour, a rarity being this warm just after christmas for most of us. So a day of Quad Bike ATV action was hastily arranged. Here i am about to come down what in fact was a pretty steep hill indeed. Even if it doesnt look it.

We had about 2 and a half hours driving about throught Forests and down to the beach just before sunset for some serious speed before heading back to camp.

After waving goodbye to Auckland it was off to Australia for a show at The Gold Coast Parklands, again same travelling bill with the New Zealand loacl acts being replaced by Australian ones.
The Gold Coast is basically Australias biggest beach party resort and the weather is always great here. So off to the beach it was for us.

And a little after dinner fun on the Dodgems became dangerous.....Dont tell me im a bad loser!!

I already know!!
Show day came and it was back to work, we've been seeing a couple of new changes in the set list lately with the inclusion of "Why do i keep Counting" making its debut recently.

I hung around after the show to watch another great performance by Muse who have been amazingly good on this run, i highly recommend seeing them to anyone who has the chance!! They will blow your balls....or boobs....off!!

Anyway its time to leave The Gold Coast behind....next stop Sydney!!!