BDO - in my defence

Today all the Australian Big Day Out events sold out - two weeks after they went on sale.

This is a record. Sydney always sells out fast, but the other events aren't usually gone for a month or so.

Given that news, I decided to tweet and mention that anyone who wanted to go should get their tickets soon and I was inundated with people telling me that I was over reacting, that Australia always sells out and NZ never sells out until January.

Now, I'm no fortune teller and I can't see the future so maybe I'm wrong here, but this is the way I see it: the Auckland Big Day Out will sell out, probably in mid-November after the second announcement. Despite a lack-lustre response from people in response to the line up, it's actually an amazing one - certainly one of the strongest in the last few years. It's just missing a real headliner to grab... well, the headlines.

There is no Rage Against the Machine/Metallica/Neil Young. Instead this year is about MANY slightly-smaller acts. Muse, Lily Allen, Dizzee Rascal, Ladyhawke, Kasabian and Peaches - that's a strong line up. Not to mention the newer and more underground stuff.

Girl Talk headlined Laneways in Australia earlier this year and did two sold out New Zealand concerts on the same tour (and, for me, is worth the $140 ticket price alone). The Decemberists have gained quite a following in the States and are reknowed for their live shows. Not to mention the already-strong New Zealand based acts - KORA and Gin being highlights.

And that's just the first lineup. Many people I know are right on the cusp of making that decision, they're just waiting for that push. My prediction is it will be sold out very soon after the second announcement.

My advice is to actually look at that list. If there are 2 or 3 acts you like, get a ticket. If nothing else, the Big Day Out is always an amazing day with an incredible vibe. The lineup doesn't matter all that much because half the fun is in finding new acts. Last year I didn't rate the lineup at all and yet it was my favourite Big Day Out ever and completely changed my perspective on music.

Again, I'll reiterate I'm not a fortune teller and I admit - I might be wrong, but the facts are these:

• ALL Australian concerts sold out in record time
• For only the second time in 18 years, there are TWO Sydney shows - and the second one sold out in an hour.
  
• The lineup is actually one of the strongest in years and is really only missing a MAJOR headliner
• Big Day Outs in Auckland have sold out early in the past - 2004 and 2007 - though the argument is that this had to do with the major headliners (Metalica and Rage Against The Machine respectively)

I still think if you're considering going and like a couple of those acts, go. I understand the money is quite big, but given very few majors sell for less than $90 these days, and you can get so many for $140, I think it's well and truly worth it.