We asked for a precis of events from our photographer Andre Stace, who journeyed to this year's Big Day Out in Adelaide.

Big Day Out
Adelaide
Friday 29th January 2010

After selling out in a record nine days (that’s about 6 weeks earlier than normal!), Adelaide seemed pumped to finally enjoy a Big Day Out with temperatures under 43 degrees. With a line up of bands that looked more like a recycled pair of old shoes straight from the Salvos many of the long time Big Day Out faithful chose to boycott this year’s event it seemed. This gave the need-to-be-seen crowd the chance to shine. And shine they tried with short shorts, 6-packs and tight singlets being the order of the day.

Highlights of the Adelaide leg of the touring juggernaut were Kasabian playing a blistering set early in the day, and the surprise packet of Passion Pit - after starting out in a low key fashion things quickly heated up with the Converse stage leaping at the seams.

The Decemberists played to a small but focused crowd. They were followed on the same stage by Rise Against who caused all types of havoc with both beer cans and people pouring over the barrier. Apparently the Hilltop Hoods performed a solid set to their home crowd, but I, like many, chose to be elsewhere as they seem to be playing in Adelaide every third week.

The Horrors played a great set to a captivated crowd, Peaches looked like a massive hair ball when she came out but quickly stripped down to, well, not much. The Mars Volta were strong but many people just didn’t get it, and Muse played to just about every one of the 35,000 strong crowd. Groove Armada rounded out the event with a huge dance set and laser show.

Of course there are always those who disappoint… Ladyhawke seemed flat, Dizzie was bonkers (maybe I just don’t get it?) and Bernard Fanning from Powderfinger joked with the crowd that the large majority in the D barrier who were focused on the other stage waiting for Muse should be doing the ‘crowd thing’ and watching Powderfinger while they waited.

With all the talk of an old line up, many who doubted the strength of the event this year would have gone home happy… I did.

(Pics: Andrew Stace)