New Zealands Big Day Out fans who have continuously supported the annual event for the last 18years have been shocked and disappointed by Ken West's announcement that 2012 will be the last BDO for NZ.
The Big Day Out festival has been plagued by poor tickets sales and performance cancellations by Kanye West at the Perth, Adelaide and New Zealand events.
NZ fans have admitted to the Big Day Out losing its chilled vibe in recent years due to security fencing put up in order to contain large crowds. Media reports indicate that in the aftermath of the announcement the reaction of many fans has been not to get angry, but sentimental about all the great experiences the festival has provided.
To tell you the truth, I would be livid as a native BDO goer in NZ. I guess we will wait for the dust to settle and see how many "Bring The Big Day Out Back to NZ" groups pop up on social media sites.
The reason for the demise of the NZ Big Day Out were given by Ken West as compounded stress associated with flying to NZ on a Friday and getting everyone back to the Gold Coast for Sunday. Apparently Campbell Smith, BDO N.Z promoter was emotional when announcing that costs were too high to keep bringing the festival to N.Z without increasing the cost of tickets.
The disappearance of the Big Day Out in N.Z may be the impetus for some passionate entrepreneur to give New Zealand another festival to replace the massive hole the Big Day Out will leave in N.Z's musical calendar. I hope so. New Zealand may be small but they deserve to be treated to a day of international and national performers as much as fans in any other geographic location.
The market is completely saturated with summer festivals and bidding wars over performing artists. If it keeps up the N.Z Big Day Out will not be the only casuality.
