"When you look at the headliners, the second slot, third slot and fourth slot are probably all festival headliners," he said.
The Herald put on its thinking cap to make some suggestions ahead of the line-up unveiling.
BIG DAY OUT: REASONABLE SUSPECTS
Nine Inch Nails
Why: Trent Reznor is on the comeback trail with a new Nine Inch Nails album due out in September, and is hitting the road until the end of the year - including several festival appearances. They have no tour dates yet set for January.
Why not: They played Aussie metal fest Soundwave in 2009, and may have loyalties to that festival - which, sadly, doesn't include New Zealand dates.
Past Big Day Out experience: One completely unhinged and totally memorable performance in 2000.
Odds: 9/1
Kings of Leon
Why: The countrified rockers have a new album due out by the end of the year, and are regular New Zealand visitors, including two Big Day Out appearances.
Why not: They might consider themselves too big for the bill.
Past Big Day Out experience: Two shows in 2004 and 2006.
Odds: 15/1
MIA
Why: The feisty British singer electrified the Big Day Out's Boiler Room in 2011 with one of the festival's best performances yet. She also has a new album due out soon.
Why not: With her outspoken views on pretty much everything, she could have visa issues.
Past Big Day Out experience: She skipped the New Zealand leg of the festival in 2006, but made up for it in 2011. Remember her dancing on that speaker stack for Paper Planes? Amazing.
Odds: 10/1
Pearl Jam
Why: After their jam-packed Mt Smart Stadium performance in 2009 it could be a great way to pack in the crowds for the Big Day Out's comeback. Imagine 50,000 people singling the chorus to Alive in unison...
Why not: Eddie Vedder doesn't like playing festivals or moshpits anymore. There's a very good reason for that.
Past Big Day Out experience: None
Odds: 25/1
Blur
Why: The reformed Britpop act fit the Big Day Out's token-reformed-'90s-act quota. They also headlined Coachella earlier this year.
Why not: They don't perform live that often. And New Zealand's harsh summer sun could burn front man Damon Albarn's pasty white skin.
Odds: 18/1
Dizzee Rascal
Why: If Mt Smart Stadium had a roof, Mr Rascal would have torn it off in 2010 with a main stage performance that had the entire venue going - yep - bonkers. He's touting a great new single too in I Don't Need a Reason.
Why not: There's no reason why not. He'd be great. Bring him please.
Past Big Day Out experience: Two appearances in 2008 (Boiler Room) and 2010 (Main Stage).
Odds: 3/1
Mumford & Sons
Why: Someone in the Big Day Out office could have had a brain explosion and booked them accidentally. Pray it didn't happen.
Why not: They've got a banjo player. All their (terrible) songs sound the same. They're headlining Splendour in the Grass. Stay away from New Zealand please.
Past Big Day Out experience: Zilch. Likely to stay that way.
Odds: 100/1
Shihad
Why: Because they go orff, mate. Plus, it seems like they've played every Big Day Out since time began. Except the last one - and promoter Campbell Smith expressed regret that he hadn't booked them for the festival's swansong.
Why not: Jon Toogood could be busy with The Adults. But he's a multitasker. He can do it.
Past Big Day Out experience: 1996, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2011.
Odds: 2/1
Chavril:
Why: What better way for Avril Lavigne and Chad Kroeger to celebrate their grand nuptials than with a New Zealand honeymoon combined with a double-headlining slot at the Big Day Out?
Why not: Because it would be wrong on every conceivable level.
Past Big Day Out experience: Thankfully, none.
Odds: 10,000/1
Big Day Out 2014
Where: Western Springs Stadium and Park, Auckland
When: January 17, 2014
* Who do you think will be included on the Big Day Out bill? Post your own line-up suggestions below.
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