NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Entertainment

Big Day Out festival axed for 2015

Chris Schulz
By Chris Schulz
Herald online·
25 Jun, 2014 10:50 PM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

All Big Day Out music festivals have been cancelled across New Zealand and Australia for 2015, the Herald can confirm.

The American company that owns the festival, C3 Presents, confirmed to the Herald "there will not be a Big Day Out in 2015".

But in a statement, it wasn't the end of the Big Day Out forever.

"C3 Presents is proud to own Big Day Out, one of the most iconic and established festival brands in the world.

"While we intend to bring back the festival in future years, we can confirm there will not be a Big Day Out in 2015. We love working on BDO and are excited about the future."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The confirmation follows Australian media reports that no venues had been booked for the festival in 2015.

Co-promoter AJ Maddah reportedly stepped down earlier this month and ownership was transferred to the festival's American partners C3 Presents.

The Perth leg of the Big Day Out had already been scrapped after low attendance figures, and losses for this year's event were somewhere between $9-$12 million, the SMH reported.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Sydney Showground's general manager Peter Thorpe told the Sydney Morning Herald the Big Day Out would not be held at the venue in 2015.

"All I know is they cancelled the booking last week and we were told to release the date," he said.

"It's very disappointing for the fans and for us because it's an iconic event."

New Zealand Big Day Out promoter Campbell Smith told nzherald.co.nz he expected the event to return in 2016.

Discover more

Entertainment

NZ BDO 'has to keep going'

25 Jun 10:50 PM
Entertainment

BDO: Oz promoter owner still involved despite sale

26 Jun 08:03 PM

"I love the Big Day. I was distraught in 2012 and I didn't think we would be back. Bringing it back and it was so successful, it reinvigorated me. I'm excited to keep doing it.

"I think to get that show into Western Springs we probably should have done that 10 years ago. We have got it set up nice there so we have got to keep going."

On Twitter, he called 2015 a "hiatus".

Big Day Out on hiatus for 2015. A real shame for Auckland and NZ after an awesome 2014 gig, but we will be back. #BDONZ #westernsprings

Read more: Campbell Smith says NZ BDO 'has got to keep going'

The Big Day Out returned to New Zealand this year after being cancelled in 2013 because of low crowd numbers in 2012.

Photos: Big Day Out 2014

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Howlin' Pelle Almqvist of The Hives performs during the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images
Liam Gallagher of Beady Eye performs during the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images
Liam Gallagher of Beady Eye performs during the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images
Toro y Moi performs during the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images
Fans attend the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images
Toro y Moi performs during the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images
Fans attend the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images
Fans attend the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images
Alisa Xayalith of The Naked and Famous performs during the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images
Swedish band The Hives perform at the Big Day Out. Photo / Natalie Slade
Swedish band The Hives perform at the Big Day Out. Photo / Natalie Slade
Swedish band The Hives perform at the Big Day Out. Photo / Natalie Slade
Primus perform at the Big Day Out. Photo / Natalie Slade
Primus perform at the Big Day Out. Photo / Natalie Slade
Christian Zucconi of Grouplove performs during the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images
Hannah Hooper of Grouplove performs at the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images
Hannah Hooper of Grouplove performs during the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images
Thom Powers of The Naked and Famous performs during the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images
Alisa Xayalith of The Naked and Famous performs live for fans during the 2014 Big Day Out Festival. Photo / Getty Images
Crowds dance to Primus at the Big Day Out. Photo / Natalie Slade
Crowds dance to Primus at the Big Day Out. Photo / Natalie Slade
Crowds dance to Primus at the Big Day Out. Photo / Natalie Slade
Crowds dance to Primus at the Big Day Out. Photo / Natalie Slade
The crowd show their appreciation during Toro y Moi's performance. Photo / Getty Images
The crowd show their appreciation during for Groupllove performing live during the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images
Festival goers enjoy the atmosphere during The Naked and Famous. Photo / Getty Images
Dominic Simper of Tame Impala perform during the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images
Festival goers enjoy the atmosphere during the performance of Tame Impala. Photo / Getty Images
Jay Watson of Tame Impala performs during the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images
Festival goers enjoy the atmosphere during the performance of Tame Impala. Photo / Getty Images
Festival goers enjoy the atmosphere during the performance of Tame Impala. Photo / Getty Images
Kevin Parker of Tame Impala performs during the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images
Kevin Parker of Tame Impala performs during the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images
James Dylan of Villainy performs during the 2014 Big Day Out.  Photo / Getty Images
Neill Fraser of Villainy performs during the 2014 Big Day Out.  Photo / Getty Images
James Dylan of Villainy performs during the 2014 Big Day Out.  Photo / Getty Images
Juggler Duke Smith enjoys the atmosphere during the performance of Villainy during the 2014 Big Day Out.  Photo / Getty Images
Thomas Watts of Villainy performs during the 2014 Big Day Out.  Photo / Getty Images
Neill Fraser of Villainy performs during the 2014 Big Day Out.  Photo / Getty Images
Thomas Watts of Villainy performs during the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images
A festival goer enjoys the atmosphere early on during the 2014 Big Day Out Festival at Western Springs. Photo / Getty Images
Randa performing at the Lakeside stage at the Big Day Out.
Randa performing at the Lakeside stage at the Big Day Out.
Art in the trees near Lakeside stage at the Big Day Out.
The Aroha and Tamaki stages.
The Tui and Kowhai stages.
Crowds line up at the Big Day Out.
Kiwi musicians P-Money, Alisa Xayalith and Rodney Fisher at Western Springs the location for this years Big Day Out. Photo / Dean Purcell
Kiwi musicians P-Money, Alisa Xayalith and Rodney Fisher at Western Springs the location for this years Big Day Out. Photo / Dean Purcell
Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam performing at the Big Day Out 2014. Photo / Natalie Slade
Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam performing at the Big Day Out 2014. Photo / Natalie Slade
Eddie Vedder gets energetic at the Big Day Out 2014. Photo / Natalie Slade
Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder performing at the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Natalie Slade
Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam performing at the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Natalie Slade
Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder performing at the Big Day Out 2014. Photo / Natalie Slade

Image 1 of 55: Howlin' Pelle Almqvist of The Hives performs during the 2014 Big Day Out. Photo / Getty Images

It was headlined by Pearl Jam, Snoop Dogg and Arcade Fire, and attracted near sell-out crowd numbers of more than 40,000.

But the festival was marred by sluggish attendance at some Australian venues and the last-minute pullout of co-headliners Blur, who were replaced by Deftones, Beady Eye and The Hives.

Reaction to the cancellation of the 2015 festival was mixed.

Big Day Out cancelled may be the least shocking breaking news since Pope went to church.

No more Big Day Out? Whaaaaaaaaa... I love that festival - especially at Western Springs http://t.co/JNfkttcFEW

Gutted about the Big Day Out being canned. (again).

Wow, the demise of Big Day Out has been startling and rapid. Just 4yrs ago it sold nearly 300k tickets instantly. Now it's almost dead!

Well that's it....the Big Day Out as we've known & loved our whole lives is gone and will never be again. Farewell old friend....

Big day out cancelled for 2015. Horrible news. End of an era? Too many young people only like the doof doof....

Oh no. Big Day Out May be finished. This years was one of my favourites... Possibly because there's was hardly anyone... Oh. #bigdayout

Sad news #BigDayOut is over

- nzherald.co.nz

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Entertainment

New Zealand

'We're pinching ourselves': Inside Christchurch's new theatre marvel

26 Jun 05:00 AM
Reviews

Review: Brad Pitt's F1 the Movie is a thrilling ride

26 Jun 03:02 AM
Entertainment

How Tom Sandoval's reality TV journey is reshaping his public image

26 Jun 12:32 AM

Why wallpaper works wonders

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Entertainment

'We're pinching ourselves': Inside Christchurch's new theatre marvel

'We're pinching ourselves': Inside Christchurch's new theatre marvel

26 Jun 05:00 AM

Frank: Stories from the South, episode 7: The Court Theatre – Back Centre Stage.

Review: Brad Pitt's F1 the Movie is a thrilling ride

Review: Brad Pitt's F1 the Movie is a thrilling ride

26 Jun 03:02 AM
How Tom Sandoval's reality TV journey is reshaping his public image

How Tom Sandoval's reality TV journey is reshaping his public image

26 Jun 12:32 AM
How Jeff Bezos' wedding turned Venice into a millionaire's playground

How Jeff Bezos' wedding turned Venice into a millionaire's playground

25 Jun 10:04 PM
A new care model to put patients first
sponsored

A new care model to put patients first

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP