Parklife head-to-head: 2010 vs. 2009

The Parklife line-up was announced this morning, with some praising the organisers for yet another fantastic spread of acts and others pining for the good ol' days. To settle the score (and kind of get in the World Cup spirit) we pitted several acts from this year's and last year's festival against each to see which would come out the better.

GROOVE ARMADA vs. EMPIRE OF THE SUN
While Groove Armada’s new album Black Light is pretty cool with its hazy ‘80s nostalgia, the English Electronic duo seem fairly overdone on the festival circuit. Last year Empire of the Sun were mind-blowing when they debuted their live show at the Parklife festivals, making them hands-down winners in this contest.

DANDY WARHOLS vs. THE RAPTURE
If DIG! Didn’t put you off the Dandy Warhols once and for all, then surely one of their recent albums has. A reputation for insipid live shows and drug binges, don’t expect much from the Dandys later this year. The Rapture weren’t great last year, but the competition isn’t looking strong. A win for ’09.

MISSY ELLIOTT vs. LADY SOVEREIGN
Missy have been away from the scene for a while, but she’s hip hop royalty. Lady Sov on the other hand is a bratty, foul-mouthed chav. This one’s kind of a no contest. A tick for ’10.

DARWIN DEEZ vs. LA ROUX
Given that La Roux didn’t even show up for their Adelaide appearance last year, Darwin Deez kind of wins this one by default. His hyperactive indie rock should be a big hit at this year’s festival, and his choreographed stage show will surely be a highlight.

CHIDDY BANG vs. THE COOL KIDS
One’s got the MGMT endorsement, the other’s got Bloody Beetroots in their corner. One’s been around five minutes, the other’s been around 10. A close call, but you’d have to give it to The Cool Kids for their many awesome collaborations

SOULWAX vs. MSTRKFRT
Another close one. Years ago Soulwax would have squashed any other DJ duo that dared step up against them, but things have changed. Meanwhile MSTRKRFT  haven’t quite taken up the lofty mantle many expected them to since they burst onto the scene. Who wins? Soulwax by a nose.

THE WOMBATS vs. METRIC
The Wombats? Really? I thought they were dead, or at least their careers were. I think we all stopped dancing to Joy Division a long time ago, while Metric were one of the surprise packets of last year.

MIX MASTER MIKE vs. A-TRAK
They’re both multiple winners of the DMC World DJ Championship and they’re both influential New Yorkers. But while Alain “A-Trak” Macklovitch might be the crowned prince of new wave electronica, Michael “Mix Master Mike” Schwartz is a bona fide turntabling god.

MEMORY TAPES vs. CRYSTAL CASTLES
This one really depends on whether it’s the Cystal Castles of 2009 or 2010. CC front lady Alice Glass was reportedly a substance-ridden mess backstage at last year’s event, while this year she seems to have calmed down a bit. But with chillwave riding high in 2010, Memory Tapes take this one out.

WASHINGTON vs. BERTIE BLACKMAN
In the one corner you’ve got cutesy piano lass Megan Washington, in the other cutesy guitar lass-turned-electro demoness Bertie Blackman. I'm gonna say this one’s too close to call.

So at final count it’s 5-4 to 2010. Last year may have been a cacophony of electro haze and guitar fuzz, but in a narrow victory 2010 looks set to surpass it.

Parklife is hitting Botanic Park on Mon Oct 4. Tickets on sale Thu Jul 1.

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