RHCP, Killers To Headline Big Day Out

In the first initiative of their new partnership, Australia’s Ken West and Austin-based C3 Presents pulled out major drawcards for Big Day Out’s 21st edition Jan. 18-28.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Killers will headline the five-city run, West announced July 16.

Big Day Out, he declared, is having “a rebuild from the ground up.”’

This follows the departure this year of longtime partner Vivian Lees, cost-cutting that lead to headliner Kanye West being dropped from two cities and a subsequent drop in attendance in most cities.

West admitted that Kanye was a wrong choice for the iconic event’s following.

The 2013 run bypasses New Zealand after 18 years, but the full production goes to all of its usual Australian cities.

West said that the 37 acts announced “truly represents the depth and scale of what BDO is all about.”

These included Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Weekend, Band of Horses, Foals, Against Me!, Animal Collective, B.o.B., Australian platinum rapper 360 and Sleigh Bells.

The bill harks back to BDO’s heyday as talent-breaker, with 20 of the acts – including Alabama Shakes, Childish Gambino, Logo, Death Grips, Adventure Club and Gary Clark Jr. – making their first visits downunder.

At its peak, Big Day Out shifted 350,000 tickets, which West and C3 Presents are attempting to reclaim with tickets set at A$165 (US$168), and the introduction of a $265 ($270) “Like A Boss” VIP service.