'No Plans' For Big Day Out To Become Lollapalooza

Big Day Out co-founder Ken West believes there are “no plans” for the touring festival to become Lollapalooza.

Speaking to theMusic.com.au at recent industry conference Face The Music, West admitted that he'd discussed the possibility with Big Day Out promoters C3 Presents, for whom Chicago-based festival Lollapalooza is their flagship event.

“We've discussed that a few times with the others [C3],” he sad. “I don't think there's any real plan. They've got the Big Day Out brand, that's what they're trying to do. It's not like they're trying to go all over the world to [expand with Lollapalooza]. I think the problem with it is that the Lollapalooza model works as one shows in one country. And always – even with Splendour – is that struggle of going 'What do you do with all these acts, if it's one [event]?'”

West continued, “There's no intention to do anything,” he said. I mean, I've asked them a few times and said, 'If you're not happy with Big Day Out, you can do it like that.' And they've said, 'No, that's not the thought'.”

Earlier this year Soundwave promoter AJ Maddah bought into the festival, taking on West's responsibilities.

“The role this year is definitely… actually, I gotta say – no, my role hasn't changed… The fear process was that if I was fully in here, 100 percent at the coalface then this was the last show for me at any road, after 22 years. I've completed by bucket list with all acts, and that might be a little bit self indulgent but that's the way it is.

“But having the process to roll it through from this and further on, it needed to be whoever was going to be pretty much taking on my financial burden with it, is they've gotta be one: in tune, and two: work[ing] together through the process so that when the relationship's going later, it's… more an advisory role in pulling it together.”

He continued, “I thought it was going to change, but it hasn't changed at all. Because I've never actually thought [the job] was money, it's like an artistic process when you're doing a job. When you start shovelling dirt, it doesn't matter what you're getting paid, you just get busy and do it.”