Big Day Out layout changes revealed (+map)

Several changes have been made to the layout of the 2012 Big Day Out. Photo / Richard Robinson

More changes await Big Day Out fans when they arrive at New Zealand's biggest music festival next Friday.

The site map, released today, reveals this year's Big Day Out festival at Mt Smart Stadium has undergone a layout makeover, including the closure of one entrance.

Fans wanting to enjoy bands like Soundgarden, Kasabian, Nero and Foster the People will have to enter through Gate B from O'Rorke Road.

The entrance on Gate A, on Maurice Road, will be permanently closed.

As was announced by promoter Campbell Smith in December, several stages are gone with just one large stage - called the Big Day Out Stage - in the festival's main arena.

A smaller stage has been positioned next to the 12m skate ramp, which will see Tony Hawk performing in the afternoon.

The Green Stage, positioned behind the main stage where acts like Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds will perform, has also been re-angled.

A Show 'n' Shine hot rod display, a lightning machine and a "foam dome" are also notable inclusions.

Smith said it was the first time they had tinkered with the site's layout in "a long time".

""Moves like we've made to the Green Stage will improve the day there for everyone wanting to get up there and see the bands," he said in a statement.

"And I think all the action now focused in the main arena with skaters all day and bands alternating between the Big Day Out Stage and the Skate Stage will make it a really exciting environment.

"Fans are going to feel a lot closer to the action."

The build-up for this year's Big Day Out has not been a smooth ride, with Kanye West axed from the bill and rap group Odd Future being banned.

The number of bands performing has also been downgraded from around 80 at the 2011 event to 40-odd acts this year.

Download the Big Day Out 2012 map here and check out the timetable here.

- Herald online