For music fans across Australia, The Big Day Out was a rite of passage headlined by some of the biggest names in music. Like Lollapalooza and Glastonbury, it was a summer's day out in the sun with mates and an introduction to mind-blowing music. For the people who created it, it was a wild ride of legendary line-ups and backstage shenanigans — until it fell apart.
In this 5-part series, Australia's ABC Radio's Double J takes you inside the story of this iconic music festival. Meet the characters who kept this juggernaut rolling and find out what really went down on tour; from the coup of securing Nirvana in its first year in 2001, to its tumultuous downfall in 2014, and all the partying in between. Follow the story of the rise and rise, then sudden demise of Australia’s Big Day Out.
Host: Gemma Pike
Producer: Gab Burke
Supervising Producer: Mike Williams
Executive Producer: Meagan Loader
Sound Engineers: John Jacobs, Tim Jenkins
Theme music: Lindsay McDougall
Music: Hamish Camilleri
Artwork: Brad Cook
Digital Team: Dan Condon, Luanne Shneier
Not able to agree on two headliners for the 2014 show, the duelling owners book three. To break even, the festival will need to break records.
The original founder is on the verge of losing everything. Hasty decisions are made to salvage a cultural icon, but the ship is sinking.
Host: Gemma Pike
Producer: Gab Burke
Supervising Producer: Mike Williams
Executive Producer: Meagan Loader
Sound Engineers: John Jacobs, Tim Jenkins
Theme music: Lindsay McDougall
Music: Hamish Camilleri
Artwork: Brad Cook
Digital Team: Dan Condon, Luanne Shneier
Photography: Sophie Howarth
22 Oct 2019
04 | Art Vs. Commerce
While ticket sales soared to hundreds of thousands in the 2000s, artistic differences led to a breaking point in the founder's relationship.
The manager, who has been holding everything together, ends up in rehab, and the festival starts to unravel.
Host: Gemma Pike
Producer: Gab Burke
Supervising Producer: Mike Williams
Executive Producer: Meagan Loader
Sound Engineers: John Jacobs, Tim Jenkins
Theme music: Lindsay McDougall
Music: Hamish Camilleri
Artwork: Brad Cook
Digital Team: Dan Condon, Luanne Shneier
Photography: Sophie Howarth
15 Oct 2019
03 | The Age of Innocence is Over
The 2001 Big Day Out ends in tragedy with the death of Jessica Michalik during Limp Bizkit’s Sydney set. Jessica’s best friend Liza Ryan was with her and shared the emotional story of the music fan behind the headline. Phil Jamieson from Grinspoon recalls performing at her memorial.
Host: Gemma Pike
Producer: Gab Burke
Supervising Producer: Mike Williams
Executive Producer: Meagan Loader
Sound Engineers: John Jacobs, Tim Jenkins
Theme music: Lindsay McDougall
Music: Hamish Camilleri
Artwork: Brad Cook
Digital Team: Dan Condon, Luanne Shneier
Photography: Sophie Howarth
With thanks to Channel [V]
8 Oct 2019
02 | The Big Day Off
The Big Day Out expands quickly and becomes a national touring circus. Every music fan wants to go, and every artist wants to play.
There were raucous backstage antics, with many bands treating the tour like a holiday. But as the festival grows, so does the pressure.
Host: Gemma Pike
Producer: Gab Burke
Supervising Producer: Mike Williams
Executive Producer: Meagan Loader
Sound Engineers: John Jacobs, Tim Jenkins
Theme music: Lindsay McDougall
Music: Hamish Camilleri
Artwork: Brad Cook
Digital Team: Dan Condon, Luanne Shneier
Photography: Sophie Howarth
With thanks to Channel [V]
30 Sept 2019
01 | A Vision Of Nirvana
What started as a Violent Femmes headline tour with Nirvana supporting, ended in a one-day music festival with 21 bands. When Nirvana released Nevermind just before coming to Australia, the Big Day Out found themselves dealing with the biggest band in the world.
Host: Gemma Pike
Producer: Gab Burke
Supervising Producer: Mike Williams
Executive Producer: Meagan Loader
Sound Engineers: John Jacobs, Tim Jenkins
Theme music: Lindsay McDougall
Music: Hamish Camilleri
Artwork: Brad Cook
Digital Team: Dan Condon, Luanne Shneier
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