20 Years Strong

This year marks two decades of the Big Day Out, arguably making it one of the most successful music festivals in Australia. Promoter Ken West explains how the festival almost didn’t make it to its 20th year.

“That was probably the hardest question of this year, whether to just end it all, and I was fine if that was the case. I went ‘well, legacy is intact, I’ve been in the music industry for such a long time that I’ve got other things I could do with my life’.

“I think I’ve achieved all I could really achieve, and the miracle of this process is that from the depths of not getting the line-up together, and then delaying, and then having two or three other festivals going on sale before us because they’d moved theirs back, all that mess that went on, the negativity of having too many Splendour acts, all that other stuff that fell into line with it, that ultimately (I) ended up parting ways with my business partner (Vivian Lees), and having to make that call then whether the show was going to go ahead at all, it just came down to simply that it couldn’t go out like that.”

West gives credit to his team of trusted friends and his new partnership with C3, America’s third largest promotion company, for keeping the show on the road. “When it came down to possibly not happening I really needed the energy of everybody else to tell me what we could do and what we should do, because really, in this business, everybody you hire is your friend.”

When Ken reflects on the festival’s history, he’s optimistic about what the future holds for him personally. “It’s a rebirth, and that really ties in beautifully with 20 years. It’s deeply looked at itself, we’ve deeply looked at the past, and we’ve looked at what we’ve done right and wrong.”

Of course with every silver lining, there’s a grey cloud, and one thing that has changed over the years is the rise in popularity of social media, bringing with it a new wave of critics. “We’ve been judged fairly harshly this year on the basis that it’s not quite what people want. It’s primarily been judged quite harshly in the electronic internet world, of which most people with half a brain now know that there are so many agendas that go on in that world that you’ve just got to try and find some truth in it, and not take in anything as personal.”

But never fear fans, they aren’t leaving anytime soon. “While the event itself remains needed for the Australian music scene, and while the audiences can respond in a level that it’s sustainable — it doesn’t need to be sellout shows all the time — I think the future is looking great, I think the future is looking really great because it’s got a job to do.”

In a recent interview with Fasterlouder, West had a number of interesting, if not controversial, things to say about the promoter of Soundwave Festival (AJ Maddah). But West stands by his words, believing there’s a lesson to be learned for other event organisers.

“I think part of the problem of that show is that it went down a particular path, and I think lots of festivals are having a similar problem. They’re taking bands because if they don’t take them somebody else will take them, and that’s a really bad way to work. You’ve just got to have a clear vision of what you want to do and just fight for it … It’s really important that the integrity of the Big Day Out actually stays, that it’s supporting the local scene, and it’s not just a pariah and it’s actually there for a purpose. There have been way too many events started up because someone thinks that they can make some money, and a lot of them found out the hard way how much you can lose.”

Deciding on which bands to book is never an easy task, and having bands cancel is part of running a festival. Ken believes you’ve got to aim high and roll with the punches as they come. “I’ll tell you what, it used to be a lot easier when they were all young and stupid and weren’t in relationships! You've got to be prepared to take risks, where if it doesn’t come together you’re going to have some egg on your face, but if you don’t do it then you’re going to be mediocre.”

The split from long-term business partner Vivian Lees, although difficult at the time, has turned into a blessing in disguise; emerging from the rubble is the partnership with C3, the team behind international festival Lollapalooza.

“We’d been talking to lots of people that weren’t really suitable, that I wouldn’t be prepared to partner up with, and C3 actually contacted us and asked if they could help, and that approach is fantastic. And from all accounts, from everywhere, it’s a unanimous thumbs-up worldwide, they’re highly regarded, they’ve worked with Perry Farrell, so therefore I should be easier, I hope!

Which begs the question — what does the C3 partnership bring internationally for the Big Day Out? “We’re talking a lot, we’ve got lots and lots of ideas, and everything sounds exciting, potentially a Big Day Out stage at some stage at Lollapalooza with Australian acts on it.”

As the 2012 edition of the Big Day Out approaches, West is hoping the 20th anniversary reconnects with punters looking for the festival experience, and not just seeing their favourite band of the moment.

“People always ask me what band I’m looking forward to. I’m looking forward to a few people actually understanding the show. There is a feeling that this show is not going to be very good, which is much better than if they’ve got such high expectations about it being awesome. I think the chemistry of the show is really good, which is what it’s meant to be. It’s meant to be a collection of bands that form one living entity for the day. I’m hoping that we can get the Big Day Out back to the idea that you trust us. It’s an experience that we’re selling, not a collection of bands.”

The Big Day Out lands at the Gold Coast Parklands Sunday January 22. bigdayout.com