Big Day Out first announcement: as it happened

For 2012's Big Day Out, the promoters took a leaf from the Soundwave festival school of promotion: they leaked the artists one at a time over Twitter. However, unlike Soundwave, they did it over 2 nights, instead of just whenever they hell the feel like it for months at a time. And now, here's the list, with my initial reactions as I sat at my computer:

But before we start, let us not forget what you will see a lot of during your day if you do decide to go: bad patriotism tattoos.

Why yes, that is the map of Australia. And yes, the interior is the Australian flag over a bunch of $100 bills. And yes, apparently Tasmania isn't part of Australia. (I took this picture during Matt and Kim this year. Couldn't stop laughing).

Anyway, the first announcement, with my reactions:

• Best Coast "huh.. first band announced, and I'll probably want to see them. This could be a good year... maybe..."
• Foster the People "Triple J listener's cliche band of the moment at the festival."
• Cage the Elephant "Yes, I'll see them. They're good and a lot of people won't see them! They'll be on a side stage outside of the crowds"
• The Getaway Plan "Christ I saw this band like 100 times in 2004-2008. Pass"
• Girl Talk "An artist that will get me to the boiler room this year!"
• Frenzal Rhomb "Already seen them twice in the last year, they must be desperate for money now!"
• OFWGKTA "Weren't they here a few months back? Probably still trying to cash in their short-lived earning potential. Don't want to see them though"
• The Jezabels "They are becoming one of those Australian bands that play every festival now!"
• Battles "YES! Highlight of a Big Day Out a few years ago... But are they as good without their old frontman now?"
• Architecture in Helsinki "They wrapped up a tour only a few days ago. Back on it already?!"
• Mariachi El Bronx "OH HELL YES. I hope that means the Bronx does a sideshow too!"
• Parkway Drive "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA"
• Boy And Bear "More Australian music content filler. Should not be as high up over some of these great overseas bands"
• Hilltop Hoods "well it's not a Big Day Out unless the Hilltop Hoods play... is it?"
• Royskopp "Was not expecting this... More of a V-Fest or Laneway band, but could be excellent late in the afternoon"
• The Living End "It's not an Australian music festival unless they play it"
• My Chemical Romance "They've never been the same since their first album. Glad I saw them in lots of small club shows when I was younger"
• Kasabian "ohhhhhhhhhhh yes. Excellent festival band"
• Soundgarden "wait.. Back up. WHAT?! They're back together? HECK YES"
• Kanye West "not a logical choice. He was too expensive for Splendour (yet still played it) and they didn't even get close to selling out. Just gives me a reason to leave early"

So will I go? At the start it was a definite no. Now it's a maybe. Soundgarden together again will probably be the one band that tips me over the edge into "fuck it, I'm going." But we'll wait for the second announcement.

January 22. Gold Coast Parklands

Soundwave 2011

Apparently I missed a few bands last night/more bands got announced. The others are:

Bayside
Thirty Seconds to Mars
Alesana
The Bronx

It seems weird that 30 Seconds to Mars will be coming back so soon, especially since they are here right about now. Their first album was pretty tops (thanks Casey for making me listen to it way back in the day) but I feel their new stuff is just to over the top, and that they keep trying to build off Jared Leto's Hollywood fame.

But the announcement that gets me all tingly in the pants department is the Bronx. My first Bronx experience was at the first Soundwave. Clus and I just walked into the crowd not knowing them, the lead singer chugged a bottle of Penfolds red, grabbed the mike for the first song and jumped into the crowd. He spent most of the time singing right near us, and even under me as I jumped on him like everyone else in the crowd. It was an amazing show. And since that experience I've seen them over and over and over again. Hopefully they bring out their Mariachi El Bronx band to the tour (although they are coming out for one Mariachi show in Sydney soon, so maybe not).

If you like your hardcore punk, check them out. Even if you are a bit unsure about punk that isn't poppy. They are great. The HiFi has a free stream of their last show in Brisbane at their website here. If you get the chance, check out their Mariachi band on the same website. It's amazing that they produce two completely opposite sides of music, and do it well.