The Big Day Out music festival has been around for many years now and throughout the timeline of the big headliners you could say that the lineup for the event has lost a lot of its International artist selection and become a showcase of bands that have good fan base & popularity.

I feel that the day is actually a great way to expose local talent and familiar sounding artists to a larger audience and a day off work in the sun. Since I have been going to the Big Day Out since 1997 I have realized that this is also a day to celebrate music & the different genres, styles and people that support the idea of having a preview into what kind of delivery musicians have on the big stage.

It is not just a day for the youthful generation with crowds being all ages, fashion has no rules and there is a common purpose for the fans and artists to enjoy the atmosphere of having their songs sung by young and old showing that there is an appeal toward them that they can respect from the crowds.

The Big Day Out has generally has had one or two bands to headline that will draw out the thousands to come and see them and to embrace the other invited artists/bands earlier during the day.

I hope that the event does not stray from having this good selection of bands that people have not heard of and a mix with something for everyone.

Here is a short recount of my experience at this years Big Day Out headed by Neil Young & the Prodigy.

The early morning queue of the hoards waiting for buses in town to get to Mt Smart was cut short when a shuttle bus pulled up to take a group of us into the stadium early in the morning which started the day off well as I was able to see the first band of the day, Auckland band Bionic Pixie which was a good blend of electro punk with a hip hop tinge. Afterward I went for a look through the stages (and where the port-a-loos were located) plenty of time meeting up with friends for a beer or two in between listening to stages for the next act The Tutts who have their debut album out now. They put on a very good show and attracted a good crowd. I think they have emerged from the local underground scene in Auckland now gaining more recognition which is good as they are very solid performers.

The first international act that I wanted to see was the up and coming UK indie dance act The Ting Tings. I went up front for the dancing and singing to this amazing two piece outfit which makes so much sound that you just wonder how they do it? Off the strength of the debut album “We Started Nothing” this band was very excited and had the crowd enthralled, I imagine we shall see them come back to NZ on tour at some stage again. They enjoyed themselves as much as the audience did.

Had to make sure that I got in front also for the Mint Chicks who always give a great show and I was very pleased to hear from each album and the guys were in blistering form with the brothers Ruban & Kody dressed up in a cat suit and a funny mask both with tails. You really didn’t want the show to end and they wanted to play on as it felt like they were just warming up at the end. It is a shame that there is a set time which is to short if you have a big back catalog to choose from.

Neil Young was who most had come to see and I wanted to make sure I was in great position to see the “godfather of grunge” I wasn’t sure what to expect as I am familiar with his radio songs and respect his legendary status in rock and folk music. I have to say that he was amazing for someone in his sixties to rock out like he was half his age & still put in all the effort with guitar solos and his trademark harmonica playing. A good selection of his classics were played including Hey Hey My My, Old man, The needle & the damage done, Heart of gold & Cinnamon girl were among the most popular.

Overall the Big Day has been a success through the years to bring large diverse audiences together to share music of new and old. I hope that it remains one of the top festivals in New Zealand and Australia for many more years to come.

The Ting Tings

Mint Chicks

Neil Young