2011 BIG DAY OUT Promoters defend "Hardcore" Lineup

THERE has been much debate about the merit of this year's Big Day Out line-up since it was released earlier this week. Promoter Viv Lees, who runs the event with partner Ken West, says bring it on.
''We have ideas for what we want and a whole world full of brilliant music for us to explore each year,'' he says.

As well as EG cover stars Grinderman, Tool and Iggy Pop, Lees is particularly pleased with the return of Germany's Rammstein.

''Rammstein were here in 2001, co-headlined with Limp Bizkit, and when that act left the tour they took up the slot,'' he says. ''With their fireworks and effects, if you like hard rock, they are going to demolish the place.''

Headliners ... Iggy Pop(above) is back as are Tool (below right), while M.I.A is one of the few women appearing.

Another for nostalgists will be Primal Scream playing their classic 1991 album Screamadelica in full.
''Primal Scream are bringing some female guest vocalists and a brass section,'' Lees says. ''It's a wonderful, uplifting experience.''

As for the newer acts on the bill, Triple J favourites Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and British rapper Plan B will be highly anticipated and, based on overseas reviews, British-Sri Lankan pop star M.I.A. could be great or a disaster. South African freaks Die Antwoord could also go either way.
More reliable will be the Black Keys, who have finally crossed over in the US, and LCD Soundsystem, who return six months after their triumph at Splendour in the Grass.

With Homebake in hiatus, BDO has the pick of the big Australian acts. Angus and Julia Stone, John Butler, Birds of Tokyo, Bliss N Eso and Little Red all make the cut.