BDO Update:
Maddah Confirmed

West’s comment follows two days of intense speculation in the Australian media that Soundwave promoter AJ Maddah was to buy out West’s 49 percent stake, and that West was bowing out.

But West confirmed he is staying on, with Maddah taking a stake in the long-running popular festival.

West tapped Texas-based C3 Presents of Lollapalooza fame as a partner in 2012 after the resignation of Vivian Lees.

West told the Sydney Morning Herald he approached Maddah some months back.

He felt that the January 2014 headliners of Pearl Jam, Arcade Fire and Blur was a “bucket list” lineup for him.

“(It’s) about time I let a new generation help continue the BDO evolution… and Maddah is ‘the logical choice.’” He added, “I feel AJ is a kindred spirit. Crazy in a good way… even as a competitor… I know him and I trust him.”

Fans took to social media to express concern that Maddah’s arrival would change Big Day Out’s format.

Since its launch from a Sydney-only event in 1992 to a six-city run including a stop in Auckland, New Zealand, Big Day Out’s strength was its support for Australian acts.

Maddah, however, built up his Soundwave rock fest to a national run that rivalled the 200,000-250,000 figures enjoyed by Big Day Out with predominantly international acts.

Maddah took pains to assert that even though he would become involved in booking Big Day Out acts, “The percentage of Aussie bands at the Big Day Out will not change.

“There will be no change to the spirit of the Big Day Out. It’s Ken’s vision and I’m working for him. For 20 years it’s been my ambition to work for the Big Day Out… It’s been a great festival for 22 years. I don’t need to fuck with that.”

Ironically, when Maddah canceled one of his other festivals, the esoteric-themed Harvest Sept. 16, he said sales virtually stopped after Big Day Out announced its first round of artists in July.