Gig review: MTV Snow Jam

DAVID HALLETT/The Press

MOMENT IN THE SUN: Kiwi rock act OpShop perform at MTV'S Snow Jam.

Relevant offers

Music

Lifetime achievement award for Dame Kiri Roots and reggae at One Love CD review: Heligoland - Massive Attack Gig review: AC/DC in Auckland Vampire Weekend to play show The anger and poetry of Gil Scott-Heron Rock 'n' roll badges The new Massive Attack album... Pauly Fuemana farewelled by stars The joys of Yo La Tengo

Local and international acts combined to put on a free concert as MTV's Snow Jam was broadcast to 27 countries. Reviewer Vicki Anderson was there.

MTV Snow Jam 2008
Where: Terrace Downs Resort, Christchurch
When: Saturday, August 16

Is it cold? Let me hear you say yeeaaah!

But icy winds whipping straight from the snow-covered mountains providing the spectacular stage backdrop did not deter thousands of music-loving punters from donning their poly-props and travelling from around New Zealand and over the ditch to the free MTV Snow Jam music festival at Terrace Downs.

Much love to MTV for offering up such a stellar line-up for free. Names on the bill including Lil Jon, The Vines, Donavon Frankenreiter, The Grates, The Potbelleez, Cut Off Your Hands, P-Money, PNC, David Dallas, Opshop, Trouble Andrew and Phinesse.

If you were lucky enough to have a VIP pass you got to sit by a roaring fire watching the action on the big screen, and jostle for elbow room at the well-stocked bar at the Terrace Downs club house with wall-to-wall celebrities including the bloke I accidentally tripped up, Home and Away's Mark Furze (apparently he plays Rick and is about to open his own bait shop, if that enlightens you).

After tearing myself away from the fire and VIP toilets (the ones on site were simply the most feral I have ever seen) I caught Auckland group Cut Off Your Hands' excellent set.

I've been following them for years and through many name changes (Nova Echo/Shaky Hands) and they were on fire in the snow.

They've been clocking up frequent flyer miles around Britain and their hard work has obviously paid off: they sounded as sharp as something from Furze's fictional bait shop.

Local boys Opshop opened with their new single Big Energy In Little Spaces and in such a big space, with a spectacular mountain backdrop and the sun about to depart for the day, it was nothing short of magical.

Watching Opshop, in such beautiful scenery I felt a sense of pride that this event was going to be televised to 27 countries.

Everyone has 15 minutes of glory and Californian crooner Donavon Frankenreiter certainly had his, although it seemed a bit odd to me to have such a huge star play only three songs. Still, it was a nicely mellow set.

Energetic Aussie bouncers The Grates and (via Ireland) The Potbelleez leapt around like crazy on the big screen with their signature tune Don't Hold Back.

P-oney, David Dallas (aka Con Psy) and PNC were superb, a fun set and one of the highlights of the day.

To the accompaniment of blasting fireworks, rollicking rockers The Vines went mental, frontman Craig Nicholls thrashing his gear and rolling around on stage.

As well as hits like He's A Rocker from their new album Melodia, and old favourites Ride and Get Free, they covered Outkast's Miss Jackson rather well.

More fireworks heralded the arrival of the King of Crunk, Lil Jon sans excessive bling. Judging by the crowd's reaction to I Don't Give a F**k and the like, they found it a sweet offering.

Most I talked to were warmed by the generosity of MTV who reportedly sank $200,000 plus into this event yet, refreshingly, didn't have their logo or merchandise stalls plastered everywhere.

There's no business like snow business and there is no doubt that overall Snow Jam is a winner for our tourism industry.

Let me hear you say yeeeaah!

* What did you think of MTV's Snow Jam? Post your comments below.

Newest First

Oldest First

Lafaele   #13   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

are cut off your hands gay? saw a video of them on mtv and wondered who the hell they were having a little chuckle ahehe...so, whats the big deal with these guys, his dance moves?!?!?!

Sam Macfarlane   #12   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

What can i say??????? Was AMAZING!!!!!!! YEEEEAAAAH.

And Sebastian is a player with his G-town Player tequalizer! loved it for sure

Ryan   #11   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Mint concert, and for free!! Where was the snow though? - i was expecting something more like last year with the competition before the concert and maybe some jumps in the background like last year. This year was mint but i think last year was better .. !?

Anyway, good stuff except for the parking fee, that was kinda unexpected . . xD

Soo goin there next year..!

han h   #10   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

sweet times...the vines n the grapes were MINT!so was op shop! drunk angry guys were a bit of pain tho... pretty gud tyms othawise!n those jaige bombs...=)

Thomas D   #9   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

What an experience. Snow Jam @ Terrace downs was the craziest concert to date. The back drop, the jaggermeister tent,what more could you want. Bring on Black Seeds and Kora for next year.Mean.

Ange   #8   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

wow! sounds like magic, gutted I missed it! (living in London, only a few months to go though.. and i haven't had it to one festival! did see OpShop over here a couple of months ago, i can concur, they are amazing!)

hopefully they make it annual and I can get to the next one! (if I haven't run away to aussie by then)

Ben   #7   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Cut Off Your Hands awful? Obviously the beanie or warm hat you were wearing cut off circulation to your brain and ears. They were awesome. Perhaps they were just too edgy for your mainstream ears to handle. Golly gosh, a band playing drunk? You are too funny. Go away and get some taste.

Tory   #6   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I hope they have it in Ohakune next year - that would be O for AWESOME

John D   #5   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

The Snow Jam was awesome can't wait to watch the footage on MTV's Snow Jam special 6th September. Money, ConPsy and PNC's set was primo , Lil John got the crowd crunk, mad mad set!!! big ups for MTV bringing the showcase to Terrace Downs for FREE mean as venue beautiful setting, great people, good times!!!:)

Tracy   #4   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Brilliant concert, big ups to MTV for putting this on.

With the mountains as a back drop, it truly was a magical afternoon. Great crowd atmosphere, excellent sounds, and thanks to ZM, we travelled for free on their party bus. I hope this becomes an annual thing.

Ad Feedback