The Big Day Out music festival has just rolled through Australia and I was assigned to shoot it for Australian Associated Press (AAP) when it came to Sydney. The temperature reached a furnace like 41 degrees Celsius and festival goers were dropping like flies due to heat exhaustion. Something like 300 people were treated by ambulance staff on the Friday I was covering the festival, and it was the hottest recorded temperature in the festival’s 18 year history. Given just how hot it was out there, I’m surprised more people weren’t hospitalised! The international acts for this year included Muse, Lily Allen, Groove Armada, Peaches and Kasabian and the Aussie acts included Powderfinger, Jet, Bluejuice, Eskimo Joe and heaps of others. With so many bands playing at the same time it’s impossible to even cover half of the acts in one day.
Click below for a small selection of some of the pictures I filed over the long 13 hour day.
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- Ian Kenny of the Australian band Karnivool performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Tom Meighan of the British band Kasabian performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Sergio Pizzorno of the British band Kasabian performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Tom Meighan of the British band Kasabian performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Crowds brave temperatures expected to hit 40 degrees during Australian band Bluejuice's set at the Big Day Out in Sydney, on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. This year's Big Day Out features international headline acts including Muse, Groove Armada and Lily Allen, as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Punters are hosed with water as temperatures soar towards an expected 40 degrees at the Big Day Out in Sydney, on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. This year's Big Day Out features international headline acts including Muse, Groove Armada and Lily Allen, as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Stu MacLeod of Australian band Eskimo Joe performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Australian hip hop group Hilltop Hoods perform at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Festival-goers cool themselves under a fountain as temperatures soar towards an expected 40 degrees, at the Big Day Out in Sydney, on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. This year's Big Day Out features international headline acts including Muse, Groove Armada and Lily Allen, as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- A festival-goers cools herself under a fountain as temperatures soar towards an expected 40 degrees, at the Big Day Out in Sydney, on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. This year's Big Day Out features international headline acts including Muse, Groove Armada and Lily Allen, as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Crowds brave temperatures expected to hit 40 degrees during the set of Australian group Hiltop Hoods at the Big Day Out in Sydney, on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. This year's Big Day Out features international headline acts including Muse, Groove Armada and Lily Allen, as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Tim McIlrath of American punk band Rise Against performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Tim McIlrath of American punk band Rise Against performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Zach Blair of American punk band Rise Against performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Joe Principe of American punk band Rise Against jumps in the air during the band's performance at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Crowds brave temperatures expected to hit 40 degrees during the set of Australian group Hiltop Hoods at the Big Day Out in Sydney, on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. This year's Big Day Out features international headline acts including Muse, Groove Armada and Lily Allen, as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Tim McIlrath of American punk band Rise Against performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- A general view of the large crowd is pictured prior to British Singer Lily Allen's performance at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- British Singer Lily Allen performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- British Singer Lily Allen performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- British Singer Lily Allen performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- British Singer Lily Allen performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- British Singer Lily Allen performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- British Singer Lily Allen performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- British Singer Lily Allen performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- The crowd is cooled off with water as temperatures soar towards an expected 40 degrees, during the performance of Australian band Eskimo Joe at the Big Day Out in Sydney, on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. This year's Big Day Out features international headline acts including Muse, Groove Armada and Lily Allen, as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- The crowd is cooled off with water as temperatures soar towards an expected 40 degrees, during the performance of Australian group Hiltop Hoods at the Big Day Out in Sydney, on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. This year's Big Day Out features international headline acts including Muse, Groove Armada and Lily Allen, as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Omar Rodriguez-Lopez of American band The Mars Volta performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Cedric Bixler-Zavala of American band The Mars Volta performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures expected to reach 40 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Crowds brave temperatures expected to hit 40 degrees during the set of Australian group Hiltop Hoods at the Big Day Out in Sydney, on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. This year's Big Day Out features international headline acts including Muse, Groove Armada and Lily Allen, as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- New Zealand artist Ladyhawke performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures which reached 41 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- New Zealand artist Ladyhawke performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures which reached 41 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- New Zealand artist Ladyhawke performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures which reached 41 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- New Zealand artist Ladyhawke performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures which reached 41 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Matthew Bellamy of British band Muse performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures which reached 41 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Groove Armada, Peaches and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Matthew Bellamy of British band Muse performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures which reached 41 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Groove Armada, Peaches and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Matthew Bellamy of British band Muse performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures which reached 41 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Groove Armada, Peaches and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Christopher Wolstenholme of British band Muse performs at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures which reached 41 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Groove Armada, Peaches and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
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- Canadian artist Peaches climbs out into the crowd at the Big Day Out in Sydney on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010. Crowds braved Temperatures which reached 41 degrees today to see this year's international headline acts such as Muse, Groove Armada, and Lily Allen as well as a host of big name Australian acts. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
God, I feel hot just looking at these pics … especially like the lily allen ones. and the one of the chick in the purple bikini. I wish I could wear a bikini at a music festival, there’s something so free about those trashbags that I have just never had goin’ on.
Top work mate, envious am I…
Mars Volta played huh?
Man looked hot as…
Man, I see so many photos of these festivals and they all look the same. Yet your shots are actually entertaining and well composed. Great work. Almost good enough to get me to go to a festival.