We have all heard the bizarre but true news by now. Daft Punk have chosen ‘Australia’s Cotton Capital’, Wee Waa in rural New South Wales, population 1600, to launch their hotly anticipated album, Random Access Memories.
Our first thought upon hearing the news was, “But, why?” So we’ve rounded up the President of the Wee Waa Show Society, Brett Dickinson to explain why the French electro duo chose Wee Waa for their global album launch and to tell us more about the annual agricultural event.
“It was organised through Daft Punk’s management,” says Dickinson. “They were looking at towns of a certain size and Wee Waa was on the list and they rang council and spoke to somebody there and they came up and had a look. They thought it was fantastic and it’s gone from there.
“Everyone [in Wee Waa] is so excited, they just can’t believe it, like everyone else. They can’t believe it’s happening. ‘Is it true?’ ‘Yes, it’s true. It’s in all the papers.”
As with anything Daft Punk related, the details are sketchy but while Dickinson implied Daft Punk will not be attending he did confirm they wouldn't be performing the sold-out launch. Rather the album would be played in full on Friday night with accompanying visuals.
“They’ve got something else on at the time but the album launch will take place in Australia and then elsewhere around the world as the sun comes up. Because Australia gets that date first they’ve chosen us to launch the album.
But what happens once you’ve made the epic trek to Wee Waa for this launch? Surely, you’re not just going to head home? Or perhaps you don’t give a toss about Daft Punk or their electro beats. Then what?
Dickinson assures us they will have plenty to keep you entertained – Daft Punk fan or not.
Nationals Senator Fiona Nash will open the show on Friday and there will be showgirls, fireworks displays, wood chopping and cross cut saw competitions and a Wee Waa Has Talent competition, to name but a few attractions.
“Then there’s the usual events,” adds Dickinson. “We’ve got the baking, cut flowers and vegetables, all the usual things that are in the Pavilion and lots of cattle and horses and sheep.”
And if you thought hearing Random Access Memories before anyone else on earth was exciting enough, then you’d be dead wrong. They’ve also got motorbike stunt rider David Russell jumping over a helicopter on the same night.
The Wee Waa Show runs from May 17 – 19. Daft Punk will premiere Random Access Memories on Friday May 17.
- Amelia Parrott
