KEY POINTS:
The second lot of acts joining headliners Tool and the Killers at next year's Big Day Out include an uppity British contingent headed by Lily Allen, Kasabian and the Streets, metal mayhem in the form of Trivium and Blindspott, and even a punk poet.
Here's a rundown of the acts from this week's second announcement for the festival on January 19.
Internationals
Known for her sharp tongue and bad luck with boys, Lily Allen will be worth checking out just to see if she and nzgirl have hooked up on a bitchy ad campaign. The 21-year-old Londoner who found fame on MySpace with tracks like Smile and Everything's Just Wonderful will be the poppiest act of the day. But that doesn't mean soft, awright?
Not since Oasis has there been a band with egos the size of Kasabian. But like the lovable Gallagher brothers, these British lads flaunt it with comic charm and tongues firmly in cheek. And their new album, Empire, isn't bad either.
As a warm-up to headliners Tool, many young metallers will be head-banging and raising their fists to Florida metal outfit Trivium, whose new album, The Crusade, sounds like Kill 'Em All-era Metallica.
You can also see British performance poet John Cooper Clarke, who is commonly referred to as the punk poet because he emerged in the late 1970s. This guy has opened for the Sex Pistols so don't go getting lippy with him.
The Aussies
The best known of the Aussie contingent is the John Butler Trio, who will probably direct you to the Greenpeace stall by the end of their set. Be prepared to rock out with the dreadlocked brigade.
Perth band Little Birdy aren't quite as familiar over here but lead singer Katy Steele's brother Luke plays in Sleepy Jackson and her boyfriend Justin sings in End of Fashion. And could the Presets, with their face masks and kooky on-stage antics be the new-age answer to TISM? The electronic duo from NSW have performed with Daniel Johns' the Dissociatives but we'll forgive them.
The Streets
Getting his own little space is Mike Skinner from the Streets who is back for another go after a lacklustre performance at the 2005 BDO. Let's hope he's over his woe-is-me, I'm-so-rich-and-famous phase. He's got fellow Brit blagger Lily Allen for competition this time around.
The Locals
Heading the second lot of local acts are Blindspott on the rock'n'roll tip, while the mighty Deceptikonz, who have just released their second album Heavy Rotation, lead this year's Aotearoa hip-hop charge. Also on the list are Napier instrumentalists Jakob, punk-poppers Goodnight Nurse, metallers Sinate, and moody rockers Dimmer. Plus there's the Shaky Hands, David Kilgour, the Rabble and PNC.
Hip-hop
Muslim rapper and producer, Lupe Fiasco, who featured on Kanye West's Touch the Sky, also flies in for the big day. Meanwhile, they might not get you in the mood for moshing but Japan's Afra and the Incredible Beatbox Band will be sure to put a smile on your face. Yep, they're the trio making all those weird noises with their mouths.
Dance
Joining Peaches and Spank Rock in the Boiler Room this year is American big beat duo Crystal Method, who will be doing a DJ set, Mississippi producer Diplo, and French electro double act, Justice. From this lot, be sure to check out Diplo's mangled mash-ups and instrumental hip-hop for a mind-bending experience.
Pre-party
Here's a good reason to get your ticket to the Big Day Out early. If you buy before December 1 you can register and go into the draw to win a ticket to the Big Night Before the Big Day Out at the St James. A select bunch of Big Day Out acts will play one concert at the St James on Thursday, January 18. There is no word yet on whether tickets to this event will be available to buy at a later stage.
Lowdown
What: Big Day Out
When: January 19
Where: Mt Smart Stadium, Penrose
Tickets: $110 plus booking fee from Ticketek, Real Groovy, Sounds, ECM, and good record stores nationwide.
Stay tuned: The final announcement is December 13.
