Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that the Big Day Out hits Melbourne this Sunday. The music festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and there’s enough in this year’s line-up to please most music fans. Here’s CW’s tips on five acts you shouldn’t miss.
1. NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS: Noel Gallagher will always be remembered as the guitarist and chief songwriter in Oasis. But he’s doing his best to forge a name away from brother Liam, thanks to last year’s solo debut album Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.
2. SOUNDGARDEN: Billed just before BDO headliner Kanye West, reformed Seattle grunge heroes Soundgarden is one of the biggest drawcards on the line-up. The four-piece is working on a new album, but it’ll be the hits – such as Black Hole Sun – that will send the moshpit wild.
3. BEST COAST: Led by glorious summer anthem Boyfriend, the 2010 debut album Crazy for You by indie darlings Best Coast was as critically acclaimed as they come. CW hopes the duo, led by Bethany Cosentino, will treat us to some new tracks.
4. OFWGTKA: Controversial Los Angeles hip hop collective OFWGTKA were one of the most talked-about groups of last year. Since touring Australia in June, its members have been involved in scandals such as allegedly trashing a mixing desk. Whatever they bring to the Big Day Out, it’s sure to spark headlines.
5. KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD: This rough ‘n’ ready Melbourne four-piece is tipped to break this year after a event-filled 2011 in which it played Meredith and signed a distribution deal with Shock for its debut vinyl EP, released in October.
Big Day Out is on at Flemington Racecourse on Sunday. For more information, visit bigdayout.com
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