Ken West, Large Day Out Co-Founder, Dies at 64

Ken West, co-founder of the Large Day Out, the Australasian touring colossus whose multi-stage, single-day format grew to become the template for various rock festivals throughout a technology, has died on the age of 64.

“We deliver unlucky information that, Ken West; a father, husband, mentor and most of all a legend, has handed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of the April 7, 2022,” reads a press release issued Friday (April 8) from his reps.

“Our household would respect respect and privateness throughout this tough time. Ken was massive and noisy in life, however handed quietly and peacefully.”

The BDO was a ceremony of passage for music followers in Australia, held through the hottest weeks of summer season, with all the most well liked acts on the planet making the journey, from The Prodigy to Rage Towards the Machine, Nick Cave and the Unhealthy Seeds and Crimson Sizzling Chili Peppers, Kanye West, Iggy Pop and plenty of extra.

In the event you have been on the BDO invoice, you’d made it.

West, alongside along with his enterprise associate Viv Lees, created the BDO 30 years in the past, borrowing its format from the profitable Furious occasion that had made its residence in Brisbane, Queensland.

The BDO began life as a one-date present in Sydney. The earliest incarnation of the occasion hosted performances by Violent Femmes and Nirvana, and performed earlier than lower than 10,000 followers.

West and Lees moved quick, and took the present on the street.

The next 12 months noticed BDO go to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth. The 12 months after, the Gold Coast and Auckland have been on this system. At its peak, BDO performed every of Australia’s 5 massive markets, generally with two dates in Sydney, and had a launch pad into New Zealand through the nation’s most populous metropolis, Auckland.

In 2010, the BDO reached the 100-show milestone, with ticket gross sales for that version topping 337,000.

Throughout its heyday, the Australasian BDO entourage numbered about 850, with about 20 side-shows.

Organizing BDO is “not a lot (like) driving, it’s extra like a automobile uncontrolled,” West instructed this reporter in a uncommon interview again in 2011. “You’ll be able to’t cease it.”

However the BDO would cease. When Lees departed in 2011, West was left to hold the load, at a time when the festivals trade was getting into a state of flux.

BDO would run its remaining lap in 2014. C3 Presents and AJ Maddah would go on to be part of the management group, and Reside Nation acquired Large Day Out. Regardless of hypothesis BDO would return in some form or kind, nothing tangible would transpire.

Earlier this 12 months, in January, West introduced a brand new undertaking, a e-book to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the inaugural BDO, and an internet site at kenfest.org, the place the entrepreneur would share his spectacular assortment of images and tales.

West is remembered by the music neighborhood as a visionary who fulfilled musical goals. “Ken made the entire thing like a celebration for punters and artists alike,” writes Billy Bragg. “UK bands referred to as it the Large Day Off. Plenty of enjoyable reminiscences hanging with Ken and the BDO crew. So lengthy mate.

Sorry to listen to of the sudden demise of Ken West, founding father of the Australian touring competition the Large Day Out. Ken made the entire thing like a celebration for punters and artists alike. UK bands referred to as it the Large Day Off. Plenty of enjoyable reminiscences hanging with Ken and the BDO crew. So lengthy mate

— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) April 7, 2022

Grinspoon frontman Phil Jamieson thanked West for serving to his band attain for the celebs. “He lived 1000 lives in 64 years. He gave a lot not solely to me, however to 1000’s of music followers,” he writes on Twitter. “My first competition expertise was 94 @bigdayout – I then was fortunate sufficient to play at over 20 of them. The loss is indelible & onerous to understand, thanks for all the pieces Ken West.”

He lived 1000 lives in 64 years. He gave a lot not solely to me, however to 1000’s of music followers. My first competition expertise was 94 @bigdayout – I then was fortunate sufficient to play at over 20 of them. The loss is indelible & onerous to understand, thanks for all the pieces Ken West xxx

— Phil Jamieson (@philjamieson) April 7, 2022

RIP Ken West. Clare Moore and I first knew him within the Moodists days when he was working first with the Laughing Clowns and likewise bringing out acts just like the Fall and New Order. We first went from Melbourne to Sydney enjoying in some conditions he was making occur. Then he and

— dave graney (@davegraney) April 8, 2022

Large Day Out and Ken West launched after which carried the careers of numerous Australian artists. His impression on the tradition of Australian music and music festivals generally can’t be overstated. A giant loss.

— Hilltop Hoods (@hilltophoods) April 8, 2022

West is survived by his spouse Cathy, son Oliver.