The Big Day Out 94

The Age

Friday January 21, 1994

THE alternative rock calender highlight, the Big Day Out, hits Melbourne for the second time on Sunday.

The Showgrounds will shake to the sounds of more than 30 international and Australian bands, including New York's Ramones, Seattle's Soundgarden, Chicago's Smashing Pumpkins and Australia's very own The Cruel Sea.

Along similar lines to the legendary Reading Festival in Britain and Lollapalooza in the United States, the Big Day Out, which first came to Melbourne last year, gives exposure to the music at rock's cutting edge, music that is not often heard on commercial radio.

This year's event, expected to draw crowds of at least 14,000, is split between five venues at the Showgrounds _ techno music in the Boiler Room, pop rock at the 3-RRR stage, big sounds from the big bands of rock 'n' roll at stage one, less macho pieces at stage two and the cream of the local pub scene at stage four.

The Big Day Out, which was kicked off in Sydney alone three years ago, is entertaining Gold Coast crowds today and will venture to Sydney, Adelaide and Perth before landing in New Zealand for the first time next month.

Tickets cost $45 and can be bought from Austicket outlets and selected record stores, including Gaslight Music, Au Go Go Records and Greville Records. Tickets can be bought at gate on Sunday for $50. `The Age' is one of the official sponsors.