February 2007.

[Play Young Folks by Peter Bjorn and John]

I remember when I first saw her. Jesus, she was beautiful.
I could talk about her beautiful lush brown hair, her amazingly cute dimples but
Ive never been too good at descriptions. I guess Ill illustrate it like this; she was so
radiantly beautiful, that for a few brief moments I forgot my mate Gavin was
pissing on my shoe.
What the hell Gavin?
Mate, would you stop looking at that bird and pay attention to the music? Its not
everyday that you get to see Peter Bjorn and John
John didn't even come. Besides, shes the one
Shes not the one, mate. Were YOUNG FOLKS man, no reason to settle for anyone,
therell be others

2008.
There wasnt.

February 2009.
[Play Shut The Club Down by Girl Talk]
I couldnt believe it. Id finished seeing Four Tet and walked over to the Girl Talk
stage when I saw her. She was just as beautiful as I remembered. I was sweating, I
didn't know if it was because of her or because it was bloody hot.
I took a deep breath in. Whats life without a couple of risks, right? I began to stride
over to her whenBANG.
Elbowed in the face. I collapsed to the ground. Gavin found me and picked me up.
These angry punters man, theyre out of control!
I looked to see if the girl was still there. She wasnt.

February 2010.
[Play Youve Got the Love by Florence + the Machine]
I admit it. I was here for the girl. I hadnt stopped thinking about her all year.
I was in the mosh for Florence, darting my eyes around the crowd for the faintest
glimpse of her.
Spotted.
Second row.
I moved my way through the crowd to her and placed my hand on her arm. She
turned around and looked at me.
This is going to sound ridiculous but-
One of her friends grabbed her.
We gotta go Janine, Jamie XX just asked me to come backstage and bring some
friends!
She pulled her away and out of the mosh.
Bloody Jamie XX.
I still went to the XXs set.
[Play VCR by the XX]

February 2011
[Play Something Good Can Work by Two Door Cinema Club]
Im at the front for Two Door Cinema Club. Gavin is with me. Were drinking beers
and having fun.
Im not thinking about my Laneway dream girl. Dont want that now yearly feeling
of disappointment.
We head towards the exit gates when the set finishes up and someone taps me on
the shoulders. Its her.
Hey stranger, she says, smiling.
Hey, I say, smiling back, awkwardly.
Of course, at this moment, Gavin starts chundering. Of course.

You should probably look after your friend, she says, But can I get your number?
S-Sure, its 0444326913
Ill call you, she says, before disappearing into the crowd.
Two Door Cinema Club were right. Something good can work.
Gavin looks up at me, vomit still hanging off his chin, Your number ends with a six,
not a three, numbnuts.
Shit.

February 2012.
[Play Still Sound by Toro Y Moi]
Were in the mosh for Toro Y Moi. The musics funky but I cant groove. Gavin
looks at me, concerned.
I look for her but I dont see her.
Cause I dont want to be alone, I dont want to be here alone, Toro croons.

February 2013.
[Play Holdin On by Flume]
Its been what, 6 years now since my first Laneway. God, this young bloke DJ-ing on
stage was 16 then. Now EDM is everything, not that I dont enjoy that type of music,
just the musical landscape has changed so much.
Is it time to throw in the towel?
The day wraps up and as I begin to leave, someone grabs me by the arm.
You gave me the wrong number you jerk! she slurs, clearly intoxicated.
It was an accident, Im so sorry, you have no idea, I say, as if Im pleading for my
life.
She smiles.
Well no excuses now, youre coming out with me.

February 2014
[Play Tennis Court by Lorde]
Weve been together for a year now. Were back at Laneway again.
Im glad I didnt throw in the towel. Yes, the landscape mightve changed but there
are so many new exciting artists. Haim, King Krule and Lorde, of course.
[Play Far Nearer by Jamie XX]
We dance to Jamie XX. That spurs a thought.
That Laneway, when your friend pulled you away for Jamie XX, did you-
- do you really want to know? she responds.
I shrug my shoulders and we dance the night away.

December 2014
[Play Let my Baby Stay by Mac DeMarco]
We lie in the hammock together, Mac DeMarco playing in the background. Pretty
amazing stuff for a guy whos known to stick his thumb in his butt during live
performances.
She turns over and looks me right in the eye. I still get that same feeling I got that
first Laneway.
I hope this feeling never goes away.
We missed Laneway tickets this year, she whispers
Well find a way, I say
and I truly believe we will.