Daft Podunk

An estimated 2,500 Daft Punk fans from around the world descended on the tiny Australian cotton town of Wee Waa – population 2,000 and seven hours’ drive from Sydney – to hear what was advertised as the world premiere of the Random Access Memories album.

The playback was part of the May 17 annual Wee Waa Show, after horse and dog trials, a motorbike stunt exhibit, a crosscut saw competition and the crowning of Miss Wee Waa 2013.

Initially, 4,000 tickets were sold for the outdoor event. But after the album was unexpectedly streamed the day before, many opted to stay home and avoid the near-freezing temperatures.

Not helping was that a two-day camping festival by independent promoters at a local winery – following the launch and making the long drive more enticing – was canceled a few days before due to liquor licensing issues.

The local butcher made Daft Punk sausages, the town’s bakery came up with “punk pies” and “techno treats” and 400 Daft Punk helmets were handed to locals to get into the spirit. A house fire that evening cut off the main road into town, delaying the arrival of many fans.

From 8:30 p.m., the 74-minute album boomed out over a packed giant LED circular dance floor following a fireworks display, over which a seven-ton disco ball hung and 16 floodlights pierced the night sky.

Rumours that Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter would make an appearance heightened when a drone hovered above the showgrounds. But it turned out to be just filming the occasion.