Big Day Sydney Sells Out in Record Time

Big Day Sydney Sells Out in Record Time

The Sydney leg of the 2006 Big Day Out sold out last week in record time.

The rolling Big Day Out festival, the largest one day music event downunder, kicks off in Auckland on 20 January before heading over the Tasman for five more dates.

Campbell Smith, promoter of the Auckland Big Day Out, says the early Sydney sell-out is an indication of the strength of the Big Day Out and its 2006 line-up and confirmed that local ticket sales are also strong.

"The Big Day Out is a cornerstone of the summer music season all over Australasia. If you look to Auckland, for instance, only Christmas in the Park could possibly be considered to be bigger."

And while the line-up for Christmas in the Park is yet to be unveiled, the 2006 Big Day Out has already announced its headliners -that thrilling blues rock duo from Detroit, the White Stripes, multi-million selling Scottish art-poppers Franz Ferdinand, and Iggy and the Stooges, back together over 30 years after their raw power first shook rock to its foundations.

"We've got three of the most influential rock bands in the world right now," says Smith. "The White Stripes have taken their garage blues sound to the point where there is no-one cooler in rock music than Jack and Meg White. Franz Ferdinand have revitalised the UK scene with their sharply presented songs and their second album has seen them hailed as a truly important band. And without Iggy and the Stooges, you could argue that punk rock and heavy metal would have evolved as much tamer beasts in the years that followed. No-one was heavier, dirtier or, quite frankly, better than these guys. Just wait until you hear them play 'I Wanna Be Your Dog' at the Big Day Out."

The second wave of acts for the 2006 Big Day Out, featuring over a dozen more local and international artists, will be announced on Wednesday 16 November.

Smith has dismissed early speculation that an invasion of Australian fans who cannot get tickets to the event over the Tasman will now threaten to drown Ericsson in choruses of 'Waltzing Matilda'.

"If they want to come, we have plenty of NZ acts on the bill to educate their minds, hearts and their little dancing feet. We will welcome our Australian cousins to our Big Day Out with open arms."

ENDS

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