Big Day Out Promoter Ken West on New Order

Another legendary band, New Order marked BDO’s 10th anniversary in 2002. Were they an option for 2012?

New Order was where it all started – I was 22 when I first went to Manchester, stayed at Mark E. Smith’s place, went to Hacienda and met with Rob Gretton – I managed to get a tour by skulling a cocktail backstage! New Order are amazing, but without Peter Hook they’re not New Order – simple as that, so I don’t know what Future were thinking. I couldn’t do it because I’m Hooky’s mate; I like Bernard [Sumner] and Gillian [Gilbert], but it’s like “damn, that’s a shame” – it’s not as bad as INXS, but they should have just called it a day. It was a legacy there – don’t ruin it. I was in the studios when they were rehearsing Blue Monday – that hasn’t yet been released anywhere, and I thought “that’s all right – that might sell!”

http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/31225/Big-Day-Out-promoter-Ken-West?page=3

Well to each their own. I wouldn't say he trashed them. Just gave his opinion. I disagree, but whatever.

NotAMod wrote:

New Order are amazing, but without Peter Hook they’re not New Order – simple as that, so I don’t know what Future were thinking. I couldn’t do it because I’m Hooky’s mate

New Order - whatever their incarnation - didn't visit Australia that often and all this guy's allegedly done is deny Oz fans an appearance at a well-known festival by arbitrarily ruling them out due to thinly-veiled nepotism.

He should have shown a bit more respect to the fans who might feel differently than him, after all people should be allowed to make up their own minds. It would be similarly ridiculous if The Light were prevented from playing somewhere because of one of Bernard's mates.

Very silly it's descended to this. But not surprising.

Why did you cut off his sentence at that point...? If you read a little further then there does not seem to be as much bias as you are claiming...

I couldn’t do it because I’m Hooky’s mate; I like Bernard [Sumner] and Gillian [Gilbert], but it’s like “damn, that’s a shame” – it’s not as bad as INXS, but they should have just called it a day.”

Ken West is a really nice bloke and a well respected promoter, here he's simply calling things as he sees it. But if it makes for a bettter story, then yeah he didn't book the new New Order after receiving a personal phonecall from his best mate Hooky

It's New Order.

Hooky disagrees. That's up to him.

Does it stop being a band when one person leaves? No.

If that was the case, New Order ended at 12.15am on 1st Jan 1999 when Gillian played her last show.

Firstly, I find it hilarious still that all the critics are the ones that haven't done any gigs. They refuse to. It's just not right. blah blah blah. The gig fence-sitters were generally converted by the third song.

Still bemused Hooky is 'trying to fuck them over', after from what it appears spending a while this Autumn appealing to rejoin the band he left. Guess the faux pas of slagging off Gillian just before the 'big announcement' put paid to that one.

Are the Light doing the Big Day Out then?

Ken West didn't mention the phonecall from Hooky. That's an insider tidbit courtesy of Jack.

They're playing a nice little tour including the Future dates and wouldn't have played both festivals so no harm really.

Andy wrote: Ken West didn't mention the phonecall from Hooky. That's an insider tidbit courtesy of Jack.

not sure if you are kidding or not, or purposefully trying to stir something out of nothing, but it seemed pretty obvious to me that Jack was joking about that.

Big Day Out has been officially utter shite for many a year - when you read West's comments, keep in mind this year's headliner is Kanye West. So, logically that means some dude bragging over the top of other peoples songs is fine, but NO without Hooky...that's a step too far

Burt Burterson wrote: Firstly, I find it hilarious still that all the critics are the ones that haven't done any gigs. They refuse to. It's just not right. blah blah blah. The gig fence-sitters were generally converted by the third song.

That's funny, I could say the exact same thing about our gigs.

Andy wrote: Ken West didn't mention the phonecall from Hooky. That's an insider tidbit courtesy of Jack.

I thought I'd made it pretty obvious that that was a sarcastic comment... obviously not..

Burt Burterson wrote: Are the Light doing the Big Day Out then?

Nope, we're doing our own 7 date headline tour of Australia & New Zealand, keep up.

CTB wrote: Big Day Out has been officially utter shite for many a year - when you read West's comments, keep in mind this year's headliner is Kanye West. So, logically that means some dude bragging over the top of other peoples songs is fine, but NO without Hooky...that's a step too far

Steady on CTB, you're beginning to sound like my dad.

What price Stone Roses headline BDO 2013?

:\pimp3:

El Jarvo wrote:

NotAMod wrote: In any case it looks like both New Order and The Light will be conducting pretty thorough tours of Oz in the next few months. I'm sure both bands will be equally enjoyed as they offer something different in terms of a set.

Some promoter should really offer both units silly money to play on the same bill so that we can get the whole will they / won't they play together rumour-mill going.

Er, not that 97% of the people attending said gig would probably give a shiny one anyway. :\ohwell:

And, is it me, or is Tarby spotting 'ironical' posts much much quicker than half the 'Brits' who are getting all hot and bothered about cairns and other off-piste comments? Raise your game, Englanders!

Try and keep up,soft lads

It sounds to me like Ken West isn't happy that New Order will play FMF this year and not his festival next year.

Why not change the thread title to:

"Some promoter I've never heard of spouting an opinion I don't care about."

He wasn't so bothered when he booked Kraftwerk, who I believe had changed their lineup somewhere along the line too.

[orange]Jack[/orange] wrote:

Burt Burterson wrote: Firstly, I find it hilarious still that all the critics are the ones that haven't done any gigs. They refuse to. It's just not right. blah blah blah. The gig fence-sitters were generally converted by the third song.

That's funny, I could say the exact same thing about our gigs.

Absolutely. Three songs is a much better measure than camera phone clips on you tube.

Kanye West is getting 1 million dollars for BDO. In my opinion, thats 1 million dollars too much!

He's Hookys mate, he likes Bernard and Gillian but poor old Steven doesnt even warrant a 'meh'.

The drummer always get forgotten.

BDO is struggling to survive, he, or someone from his organisation was hauled over the coals last year on radio over the festivals line up policy. With Kanye West, only playing the east coast this year.

Rumours of it going eastern states only. NZ is already done for.

But my point is, eventually, could they afford NNO?

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/music/fears-for-fate-of-the-big-day-out/story-e6freeuu-1226249815431

condemnation wrote: Kanye West is getting 1 million dollars for BDO. In my opinion, thats 1 million dollars too much!

If Eminem declined $6M for the tour I'm guessing Kanye's price is north of that.

Good overview of Ken West and the BDO in today's Age HERE.

:\pimp3: