Ken West

Australian music promoter (1958–2022)

Ken West

Born| (1958-02-05)5 February 1958

Sydney, Australia

Died| 7 April 2022(2022-04-07) (aged 64)
Known for| Big Day Out

Ken West (5 February 1958 – 7 April 2022) was an Australian music promoter and founder of the Big Day Out music festival.

## Career

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Born in Sydney, Australia, Ken West grew up in Cabramatta and studied at what is now UNSW College of Fine Arts in 1976 to become a kineticist and experiential artist.[1][2] During the 1980s he worked as promoter, tour manager, and artist manager for Nick Cave, Laughing Clowns, I'm Talking, and Beasts of Bourbon.[3] He promoted Australian tours for New Order, Lou Reed, Run-DMC, before starting the Big Day Out festival in 1992.[3]

The Big Day Out was founded by West and Vivian Lees. The first festival in 1992 was only held in Sydney, but subsequent years expanded around Australia, and later also included New Zealand.[4]

After it was reported West had left the festival in 2013,[5] the final Big Day Out was held in 2014 after the cancellation of 2015's planned festival.[6]

Following the festival, West kept a low profile until the beginning of 2022 when he announced he had written a book titled Controlled Chaos.[7] The announcement coincided with the 30th anniversary of Big Day Out, and West released chapters from the book relating to the festival. He said he'd begun writing in 2002, and planned to release an ebook by the end of the year.[3][8] Chapters 20–27 were published online on his new website Kenfest,[9] with plans to publish further updates across the year.[10][11]

In April, West's family announced he had died at the age of 64 on 7 April 2022.[12][13][14]

## References

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1. ^ Collins, Simon (7 April 2022). "Big Day Out co-founder Ken West dies aged 64: 'A legend'". PerthNow. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
2. ^ "Ken West". australianmusicweek.com. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
3. ^ a b c Eliezer, Christie (7 April 2022). "Australia: Big Day Out Founder Ken West Dies At 64 – Pollstar News". Pollstar. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
4. ^ Bradle, Lars (7 April 2022). "Music Community Remembers Ken West, Big Day Out Co-Founder". The Industry Observer. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
5. ^ Johnston, Chris (19 October 2013). "The crisis rocking Australia's music festivals". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
6. ^ "Music fans gutted as Big Day Out cancelled for 2015". ABC News. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
7. ^ Condon, Dan (7 April 2022). "Ken West, founder of the Big Day Out, has died at 64". Double J. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
8. ^ Shutler, Ali (7 April 2022). "Ken West, founder of Australia's Big Day Out festival, has died". NME. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
9. ^ "'Chaos Theory' – Chapters 20–27". Kenfest. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
10. ^ Brandle, Lars (25 January 2022). "Sweat, drugs and rock 'n' roll: Ken West remembers Big Day Out on 30th anniversary". The Industry Observer. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
11. ^ West, Ken. "Big Day Out Founder Details Chaos Behind The Scenes As Event Blew Up". The Music. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
12. ^ Cutsforth, Ross (7 April 2022). "Ken West, founder of Big Day Out, passed away in his sleep". Tone Deaf. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
13. ^ "Big Day Out founder Ken West dies aged 64". The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
14. ^ "'Legend' co-founder of music festival Big Day Out dies". The West Australian. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2025.

## External links

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* Ken Fest