The biggest and most internationally acclaimed music festival in New Zealand is just five days away, the Big Day Out! Tickets are still available via the official website for the famous music festival on Friday Jan 16, and big acts confirmed in the final Big Day Out bands lineup for 2009 are:

Neil Young, The Living End, Sneaky Sound System, Arctic Monkeys, The Prodigy, Hot Chip, My Morning Jacket, Pendulum, Bullets for My Valentine, TV On The Radio, The Ting Tings, Simian Mobile Disco, Tike Taane, Serj Tankian, Dropkick Murphys, Black Kids, Lupe Fiasco, Holy Ghost, Z*Trip and Pee Wee Ferris.

Local Acts feature all of your favourites including Elemeno P, The Mint Chicks, Headless Chickens, The Datsuns, Ladi 6, Autozamm, The Black Seeds and Nesian Mystic, along with a plethora of other local talent. This Friday is going to be huge, so if you’re in Auckland, don’t miss out!

Once we’re over Christmas, another exciting event is on the horizon: the Big Day Out 2008.

Or should I say THE BIG DAY OUT. That’s how big it’ll be.

I, along with hundreds of others, am looking forward to it. Butterflies in the stomach kinda thrilled about it, actually. Don’t tell anyone, but this is my first time. With a stellar Big Day Out lineup announced, this year’s event is sure to be a winner. Alternative songstress Bjork is my top pick, but Liam Finn (the bearded boy wonder), Phoenix Foundation (ah, the songs of Kiwi summers) and indie-stars Arcade Fire are also high on my list of must-sees.

Playing at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland, on January 18th, will be:

Local bands and musicians:

The Phoenix Foundation, Shihad, Katchafire, The Clean, Liam Finn, SJD, Motocade, Cut Off Your Hands, White Birds and Lemons, Op Shop, Pluto, Scribe, Die! Die! Die!, Tiki Tanne, Havoc, Collapsing Cities, Bleeders, Supergroove, The Checks, Young Sid, Antagonist, Dam Native and other New Zealand bands.

And of course, international music acts:

Rage Against the Machine, Bjork, Arcade Fire, LCD Soundsystem, Spoon, Brand New, Anti-Flag, Carl Cox, Kate Nash, Shy Child, Enter Shikari, Operator Please, Unkle, Krafty Kuts & MC Dynamite, The Nightwatchman (Tom Morello acoustic), Dr Octagon with Kutmaster Kurt, Aceyalone, Dizzee Rascal, Paul Kelly, Battles, Hilltop Hoods and Billy Bragg.

For a day of summer sun and music, book your ticket at the official Big Day Out site, any Ticketek outlet, Real Groovy and selected music stores nationwide.