UPDATE: Blur replacements have finally been announced – full details here!
Big Day Out promoter AJ Maddah has revealed that ticket-holders will be able to exhale tomorrow (Friday, 29th November), telling a loyal Twitter acolyte who queried when fans might expect the cancelled Blur‘s replacement to be announced: “You’ll have it tomorrow.”
Speaking to 774 ABC radio earlier this week, Maddah told host Raf Epstein that organisers were “hoping to announce our replacements this week, replacement or replacements, and at that point if anyone’s not satisfied they will be able to get an immediate refund.”
There have been few clues as to who the band big enough to replace Blur but still sit comfortably behind headliner Pearl Jam might be, with Maddah kindly ruling several names that have been buzzing about the social media sphere, including Foo Fighters, Outkast, and The Cure.
Maddah told a Twitter follower that Big Day Out organisers “wouldn’t insult [Foo Fighters] by even suggesting they play 3rd on the bill,” and told another follower, “You can’t compare a multi arana/stadium (sic) artist like The Cure with a Hordern/Fest Hall size act like Blur!”
In an interview with Fairfax, Maddah said the search for a replacement band was being centred on the US and UK. Said the mogul: “there are few Australian artists left that have the requisite draw to be on top of a festival bills.” Having an already rostered act step up to the plate is “not an option.”
Stay tuned to Music Feeds and we’ll have all the details on the Blur replacement for Big Day Out 2014 as soon as they’re announced! Stay tuned to all the latest updates on our special Feed!
UPDATE: Big Day Out representatives have told Music Feeds that “overnight developments” have meant the mooted announcement for today will not be taking place. Stand by…
Gallery: 9 Potential Replacements For Blur’s Big Day Out Spot
@LOUIS_8888 You'll have it tomorrow.
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) November 28, 2013
BDO Blur Replacement
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Foofighters
Foo Fighters: Number one on our own list of targets. Fooies just announced their live comeback with some dates in Mexico City -- does that mean they're out of the studio already? They might not satisfy every Blur fan, but you know they're gonna sell tickets. Time for Dave Grohl to live up to that nice guy reputation once again. -
Bowie
David Bowie: He's definitely free, and even though that Primavera appearance chat turned out to be a hoax, he's gotta hit the stage at some point this album cycle, right? Arcade Fire could put a good word in, and if Pearl Jam are OK with sharing the limelight, BDO could pull off the greatest recovery in festival history. Fingers crossed. -
Pulp
Pulp: Here's one for the Britpop fans. They may never have scaled the mountains of success like Blur did, but they certainly share an audience. Cocker and co. haven't been here since 2011 either. Even AJ Maddah thinks it's a good idea! -
Silverchair
Silverchair: They're BDO heroes, they'll cater to the Australia Day crowd in Sydney, and a reformation might even sell a few more tickets too. Sure, Johnsy might be working on his solo album, but he may just be willing to take one for the team, suck it up and blow us all away one more time. -
Wolfmother
Wolfmother: One from the "we've just reformed, we're available, hire me" files. Eh, it's an idea. And if Big Day Out can replace the Black Keys with Paul Dempsey, who's to say they won't have to settle for a less popular replacement for Blur? Speaking of… -
Blackkeys
The Black Keys: Dan Auerbach and Pat Carney pulled out of BDO 2011 due to "exhaustion," so we think it's high time they paid their respects. They may have been here late 2012, but early this year they said "we hope to be back touring our new album by the end of the year." Make it happen. And release the album while you're at it already! -
Bjork
Bjork: Another BDO drop out, with Bjork cancelling her Sydney set in 2008. Could she swoop in, swan-like, and save the day? We reckon the 90s crowd will dig her. -
Tupachologram
Tupac's Hologram: Hey, we said we're not experts. Pac made an appearance at BDO's sister festival Lollapalooza last year. Could Australian audiences handle 80 minutes of the same? There's always the potential for a Snoop cameo too... -
Abba
ABBA: Yes, we realise this is getting ridiculous, but levity is important in times of crisis. There HAS been talk of an ABBA reunion of late, and given the band's everlasting popularity in Australia they could just be the brightest dark horse Big Day Out have. Given Arcade Fire's recently acquired tastes for disco, they'd have a few fans in the wings as well.
