Prior to the 1997 Big Day Out, Lees and West stated unequivocally that it would be the last one, citing sheer exhaustion as a reason (although many speculated that the real reason was the lack of a proper sized venue in Sydney).

Whatever – it was a resounding success, with a massive 37,000 people attending the Melbourne Big Day Out, to watch such bands as a returning swansong for Soundgarden, punkers the Offspring, as well as up-and-coming punk-electronica group the Prodigy, who’s blistering show in the heat of the afternoon stunned all those in attendance – and not only because they managed to make what had been a thriving moshpit before them into a complete dancefest.

Interestingly, this was also the first year of the Boiler Room – a room solely for electronic music. There was also the brutal metaloids Fear Factory, as well as English popsters Supergrass, the rising stars The Superjesus, and the anointed ones – Powderfinger and a fired-up You Am I. It was a fitting finale. Or was it?

1998 felt the effect of not having a musical event to religiously attend each and every Australian summer. It was really, really, really missed. Really.

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