AusLeisure

Soundwave Festival promoter AJ Maddah has joined with Big Day Out co-promoter Ken West to run future editions of the Big Day Out festival with Maddah buying into a financial share of the event.

With Maddah having recently confirmed the cancellation of his Harvest Presents festival, the promoter has apparently bought a significant share of the annual touring event also owned in partnership with American tour promoters C3 Presents.

With some music event insiders questioning his suitability to run the event, Maddah meanwhile has pledged not to reduce the event's strong Australian flavour and to improve the fan's experience, starting with shortening queues at the 2014 event and providing fans with "better value" in the future.

The percentage of Australian bands at the Big Day Out (BDO) will apparently also not change.

West told Fairfax Media that the 2014 BDO headlining acts - Pearl Jam, Arcade Fire and Blur - was a "bucket list" lineup for him and now it's "about time I let a new generation help continue the BDO evolution."

West explained that Maddah is "the logical choice" to take the BDO forward, adding "he nows this event better than anyone and has always been its greatest supporter, even as a competitor ... I know him and I trust him."

West added that he'll still be involved in the festival alongside C3 and Maddah.

For more information go to www.bigdayout.com/

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