Blast from the past - Big Day out review (+ photos)

Bjork performs at the Big Day Out. Photo / Richard Robinson

Another year, just another Big Day Out?
Possibly, and sometimes it was hard to tell the difference between the BDO 2008 and any of its many previous incarnations - the sound that dominated the closing overs was the rap-rock of the mid-90s, there were veteran singer-songwriters such as Brit Billy Bragg and Aussie Paul Kelly in the line-up and other blasts from the past.

The weather, though, was sure up to date with a global-warming scorcher.

But the day still pulled out some surprises. Yes, there was the usual core of testosterone rock that particularly dominated the stadium stages - and merged into one - throughout the afternoon.

But art also won through, whether it was the nerdcore of Battles, triumphant folk-rock orchestra Canadians Arcade Fire or the scatterbrained pop of our favourite tourist Bjork.

And, of course, much more. Here was some of it.

BEST BEGINNINGS
Local art-punk act Die Die Die were one of the first to get onstage. Keen to get the party started, lead singer Andrew tried to stage dive but the security staff were having none of it and prevented him with a bit of rough-and-tumble. The wily chap managed to get away, but the next time he tried to leave the stage, the cunning security guy had wound the microphone lead around his wrist so that if Die Die Die wanted vocals, their lead singer was going to have to stay on stage.

BEST LOOPY LOCAL
Liam Finn, who is just as good a drummer as he is a singer and whose dynamic pop tunes had more layers than a Sara Lee, care of his loop pedal.

BEST U2 ATTEMPT
OpShop, one of the softer acts headlining the main stage in the afternoon. They get brownie points for trying to inject a little metal into their set with guest vocalist, Blindspott's Damian Alexander.

BEST WIDE-LEGGED STANCE
The Bleeders, who brought hardcore to the masses when the day was at its hottest.

BEST USE OF TIME:
Brit-hopper Dizzee Rascal, who fitted as many punters into the Boiler Room as he did words in his motordrive mouth.