West Renegotiates Big Day Out Deals

When Big Day Out’s Ken West and Vivian Lees announced the end of their partnership this month, West revealed to Pollstar a problem he faced.

The iconic six-city festival had become too expensive from bidding wars with other festivals, and he had to renegotiate some deals. Headliner Kanye West, reportedly paid A$6 million (US$6.099 million) for six shows, agreed to forgo Perth, Adelaide and Auckland in return for a full tour in 2012.

The Living End and Mariachi El Bronx were dropped from Adelaide, and hip-hop act Hilltop Hoods from Perth.

West frankly admitted that he’d considered axing the Perth, Adelaide and Auckland shows, calling the move “a reality check.”