The upcoming Big Day Out 2012 will mark the 20th year since the show began back in January 1992.
Kasabian. Photo by Ros O'Gorman
1992 was the year of Violent Femmes and Nirvana. The Violent Femmes were the headline act over the newly established Nirvana that year.
Since then, the biggest acts in the world have passed through Big Day Out. Metallica, Neil Young, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden, Iggy Pop, Smashing Pumpkins, Rage Against The Machine are just a handful of the hundreds of acts that have played Big Day Out.
Vivien Lees and Ken West, the founders of Big Day Out, had this to say about it today…
“Hello all and welcome to the Big Day Out.
“Yikes … 20 years of Handcrafted Festivals, no one saw that happening in 1992.
“A milestone rarely achieved by any festival will become reality for us when we stage our 20th year of BDO festivals.
“Big Day Out was created to level the playing field and prove that the title ‘alternative’ didn’t stop music from being popular. It has now changed the local musical landscape forever, growing from its ambitious, chaotic beginnings to evolve into the largest travelling festival in the world complete with all the highs and lows of a roller coaster.
“So beyond the statistics and the history it is what the BDO stands for that will enable us to continue to deliver world-class events. Shows that will stand the test of time and continue to reflect both musically and culturally as a backdrop to peoples’ lives.
“In short, you’ve got to know where you’re from to know where you’re going…
Our goal is always to deliver the ultimate platform for artists to play to huge crowds alongside some of the most important acts in the world, to the best audiences in the world.
“Looking back to the first BDO in Sydney in 1991 we announced only 2 acts and skating and sold 52 tickets the first day. Last year we announced 41 acts and sold 52,000 tickets in an hour.
“So for the 20th year of BDO we thought we should pull things back a bit and meet in the middle by announcing 20 acts plus the return of first-class skating for our first round on offer.
“Our second big announcement of over 20 acts will be heading your way in 5 weeks time.
“We believe these shows will be wonderful events, uplifting, spectacular and above all, fun. It’s meant to be fun, enjoy”.
Ken West & Viv Lees
