Maddah, whose Soundwave festival sells 200,000 tickets, himself has played down the stories: he took to his infamous twitter account to state, “As usual, the rumours are a bit exaggerated and not quite as sensational.”
But various sources have said that the deal has gone through, and that BDO staff had been informed.
If reports are correct, Maddah would now run Big Day Out with Austin-based C3 Presents, promoter of Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits Music Festival. C3 went into partnership with West after his split two years ago from Viv Lees.
The speculation this morning is that some of Harvest’s acts – these included Massive Attack, Franz Ferdinand, Primus, Goldfrapp, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Neutral Milk Hotel – will either still come but on their own tours, or be transferred to Big Day Out.
This is not the only festival rumour to be attached to Maddah in recent weeks. News that Eminem had been offered to Maddah for early 2014 led to speculation he was thinking of starting a new EDM or hip hop festival. “No fucking way!” he responded. Eminem has since decided to tour on his own, and cut a deal with Dainty Entertainment.
