Big Day Out 2016 Looking Unlikely

Big Day Out is unlikely to return in 2016, according to Soundwave Festival promoter AJ Maddah, who stepped down as Big Day Out director and promoter in 2014 after transferring his stake in the festival to American partners C3 Presents.

ABC News Bendigo journalist Stephanie Corsetti reached out to Maddah on Twitter late yesterday, asking if the festival will return next year after taking a hiatus in 2015.

“I doubt it will be back as early as next year,” Maddah replied. “When/if it does come back it will have to be with a BANG. With the pissweak state of the AUD$ and general availability of bankable headliners I would guess 2017 at earliest.”

Earlier this year, Maddah said future Big Day Out festivals might become east-coast-only affairs. Maddah’s pride and joy, Soundwave Festival, has moved into the Big Day Out’s traditional time slot, occurring around Australia Day in late January.

Big Day Out is now owned by international promotions and concert giant Live Nation Entertainment, who purchased C3 Presents late last year. C3 Presents have previously stated their intention to bring the festival back “in future years”.

View Maddah’s tweets below, and if you’re desperately missing Big Day Out vibes, relive some of Big Day Out’s Greatest Hits.

@stephaniiimedia I doubt it will be back as early as next year. When/if it does come back it will have to be w a BANG.

— AJ (@iamnotshouting) April 28, 2015

@stephaniiimedia With the pissweak state of the AUD$ and general availability of bankable headliners I would guess 2017 at earliest.

— AJ (@iamnotshouting) April 28, 2015