Some say that the best-kept secrets are best kept hidden. This notion became fact at Parklife 2011. Mike Skinner or the Streets, bowed out for good. Tucked away, performing on one of the minor stages, I had this shuddering feeling that me and my equally as obsessed friend would be alone in seeing this visionary bow out for the last time. Wrong would be polite way of saying how misguided I was.
Mike entered Melbourne for the last time as The Streets. A moment of nostalgia crossed over me. Forking out a handsome fee to attend a festival that presented only one artist of interest would seem a tad naive. The lights dimmed. A roar from the thousands behind me. As Mike would say "They felt lifted from these fears."
Alienation stole over me as I watched transfixed as this musical genius engaged a drunk and rowdy crowds. "Are you with me Melbourne?" He shouted. I looked around. A shiver ran up my spine. It wasn't because I was cold.
From my position at the top of the mosh pit, the crowded stretched like an illusion all over the park. The nearby trees were filled with punters seeking a better seat. An exuberant youth crowed surfed on his wheelchair. Girls screamed. Boys yelled. A horde of Huns would struggle to create such a noise.
The songs poured over me. Weak Become Heroes. Going Through Hell, OMG (should be more renowned in my opinion), Don't Mug Yourself and festival favourite Blinded by the Lights.
"You're going to have to walk me to my hotel" he asked of a girl near the front. "I'm not going to make it to Perth". The way I saw it, he would be lucky to leave the venue alive. Crowd surfers started up. Mosh circles swirled around. Trampled. Kicked. Elbowed. All part of the game.
Mike got down to the barricade separating him from society. Took his shirt off. And dove in. Bedlam. People surged towards him like they would flock to money being thrown on the ground. That night, he was worth his body weight on top of them in gold.
Blinded by the lights I staggered home. At peace with myself.
For footage of this event, see these excellent quality videos by some of the punters;
A Hidden Royalty - By Andrew Martin 
