Some thoughts on bands where I either missed a great deal of their set or, frankly, didn’t have that much to say. Includes Grinspoon, Foals, The Killers and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Grinspoon – If you’re Australian, you’ve probably already seen these guys half a dozen times. Their set was plodding but ended with a bunch of crowdpleasers, from the inexplicably popular “Chemical Heart” to actual good songs like “Champion” and “DCx3” (No “Just Ace,” though). Best moment: their Headspace initiative being sponsored by “Ice.”

Foals – I’ve seen Foals live a couple times, and in the past their more energetic stuff has just been okay while“Spanish Sahara” has been a sublime, amazing experience. At Big Day Out, that track fell oddly flat, but the jerky energy of “Total Life Forever” and their new track “My Number” was refreshing.

The Killers – I only caught a couple Killers songs (as they clashed with Foals), but they were all the songs I wanted to hear. “Mr Brightside” was a glorious anthem, with everyone singing along (and even kissing strangers!). The last two tracks “All These Things That I’ve Done” and “When You Were Young” were also excellent, with pyrotechnics and fireworks accompanying the latter.

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Not a RHCP fan here, but what I saw of their set lacked energy and had incredibly poor sound. Friends who do like their stuff were not impressed.