The Big Day over and Out?
The news that a lot of people saw coming has finally arrived, it looks as though as far as Australia is concerned The Big Day Out may be dead.
After declining crowd numbers and running at a financial loss, the event has been sold to a US company possibly never to be seen again here, it’s a sad day when what was one of Australias biggest festivals has come to a close. What does this mean for the future of other festivals?
Iconic Australian music festival the Big Day Out is believed to be entirely American-owned after AJ Maddah, the Australian director of the event, sold his share to US company C3 Presents. It is also understood the festival will not be held anywhere in Australia next year as bookings have not been made for venues used in recent years.
Peter Thorpe, general manager of the Sydney Showground, confirmed on Wednesday that the BDO would not be held at the venue next year. “All I know is they cancelled the booking last week and we were told to release the date,” Thorpe said.
“It’s very disappointing for the fans and for us because it’s an iconic event. It was the first rock and roll event I went to and the first we held. I was there for 20 years at Paddington and we’ve been with it here ever since.”
A spokesperson for the Victorian Racing Club, which manages Flemington Racecourse, home to the BDO in Melbourne for many years, said dates had been “pencilled in” but had not confirmed.
Meanwhile the owner of major Melbourne venue which usually hosts BDO sideshows told Fairfax: “Your story is 100 per cent correct. There will not be a Big Day Out in 2015. Not a single agent has been approached by the BIg Day Out.” He did not wish to be named.
