Just a fortnight out from the event, Big Day Out 2014 have announced that they will be relocating the venue for the Perth leg of the annual festival from Claremont Showgrounds to Arena Joondalup.
“We are pleased to be moving to a new home which has the support and encouragement of the venue management as well as the forward thinking and progressive City of Joondalup,” said Big Day Out. The move follows years of fighting with Claremont Council who were openly hostile to music festivals such as Big Day Out using Claremont Showgrounds.
Claremont Council efforts to stifle live music include battling with Soundwave, labelling 2012’s Stereosonic punters as “the worst ever,” and voicing concerns that attendees of 2013’s newly expanded two-day event would rather become overnight squatters than to have the common sense to book accommodation.
The council was furious in November when it was revealed Big Day Out management had attempted to bypass their 10pm curfew, going straight to the Western Australia State Government to seek approval of an hour extension for the event.
Mayor Jock Barker has also spoken plenty about his distaste for hosting music festivals in Perth, previously telling Big Day Out organisers they were “not welcome’ by a number of local councillors, and saying in January, “we don’t want the Big Day Out or Soundwave back in Claremont at all… they contribute nothing.”
By comparison, the City Of Joondalup and Arena Joondalup have welcomed Big Day Out with open arms.
“This is one of Australia’s premier outdoor music events,” VenuesWest Chairman Graham Partridge OAM said. “After more than 150,000 festival visitors to the venue in the last 3 years it is not surprising to see one of Australia’s best brands in Australian music make the move north,” he said.
“VenuesWest has worked hard with promoters to ensure the Arena Joondalup is the premier location for outdoor music in Western Australia.”
Future Music Festival has long been based at the venue. It is really a huge stamp of approval for the location adding Big Day Out, as well as the exciting new under-18 music product Good Life.
“There is no one else in Australia who can boast such a huge range of outdoor events in a single location,” Mr Partridge said. “Who would have thought 5 years ago Pearl Jam, Macklemore, Snoop Dogg and Deadmau5 would all be playing in Joondalup in one summer along with dozens of other huge acts?”
Dates and door times will remain the same for the Perth event, and all tickets remain valid. New venue maps and transport information will be available shortly.
Big Day Out 2014 Dates, Tickets
Friday 17th January ~ Western Springs, Auckland*
Sunday 19th January ~ Metricon Stadium & Carrara Parklands, Gold Coast
Friday 24th January ~ Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
Sunday 26th January ~ Sydney Showgrounds, Sydney
Friday 31st January ~ Bonython Park, Adelaide**
Sunday 2nd February ~ Arena Joondalup, Perth – New Venue
*For New Zealand Big Day Out 2014 lineup and ticketing details, please refer to www.bigdayout.com and choose AUCKLAND
**Subject to council approval
Tickets and info at www.bigdayout.com
