🎧 Inside the Big Day Out (DoubleJ)
For music fans across the country, The Big Day Out was a rite of passage headlined by some of the biggest names in music. A 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. And then it all fell apart.
In this 5-part series 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, 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.
Through a 5-part series, Gemma Pick documents the history of The Big Day Out from its early beginnings in the 90s to its capitulation in 2015. It also provides into concert life backstage, including lines of washing powder at the after-party in the 90’s. A particularly moving episode is the recount of Jessica Michalak’s death in 2001.
I love Robert Moran’s point about every Big Day Out you attend blending into one over time:
When I listened to the Inside the Big Day Out podcast, I found myself going back to the posters to remember which years I went. Although I can remember moments, such as Dave Grohl coming across to the second stage as we waited for Nine Inch Nails or Paul Dempsey questioning why we were watching Something for Kate when Red Hot Chili Peppers were playing, which years these were kind of escapes me. One other thing that I cannot remember is how I actually survived the whole day. I was not drinking alcohol, but I actually cannot remember drinking anything. To be honest, I cannot remember eating anything either.
Memories truly are a strange thing.