Rebecca Houlden takes us to the Big Day Out in Melbourne and captures the amazing performances of Kasabian, Frenzal Rhomb, Mariachi El Bronx, Cage The Elephant, The Living End (pictured) and many more...

Ah Big Day Out… the festival that has been running like a freight train year after year only to be halted this year by slow ticket sales and a ‘weak lineup’. And despite all my concerns leading into the day Ken West (minus Vivian Lees for the first time ever) pulled it off and put on a more than enjoyable day.

Pictured: Kimbra.

There has been much talk about the behind-the-scenes happenings of Big Day Out lately, from the controversy to the ridiculously expensive ticket price but none of that seems to matter on the big day – as you enter the festival all you need is enough good music to make for a fun day.

Wasting no time, I positioned myself in the main area’s pavilion to check out what the early-afternoon had in store for the infamous blue and orange stages.

The 2012 edition of the popular Southbound Festival kicked off with a huge lineup of acts featuring The Arctic Monkeys, Regurgitator, The Jim Jones Revue, Aloe Blacc, The Naked and Famous, Tijuana Cartel, comedian Arj Barker and more. Stuart Sevastos brings us the highlights of the day.

So last night held many firsts for me. My first time working the ARIAs (or attending at all for that matter), my first time doing red carpet interviews and my first time meeting Kylie Minogue (assuming asking a question in the press centre is "meeting"). But more on all that later...

As a '90s World' teenager, Papa Vs Pretty’s debut release United in Isolation is literally music to my ears. With 2011 tipped to become the year of ‘wub wub wub’, I’m ecstatic that this fine indie rock release has cut through that thick D&B.

While the second announcement for the 2012 leg of iconic festival the Big Day Out was announced today, some odd decisions in tweaking the lineup in certain cities also came through the wire.

Damn it Gold Coast.
You've let me down again.

Two amazing Aussie bands are co-headlining a must see tour around this fair country of ours and where are you all? Definitely not out supporting the local music industry that's for sure.

Saturday night saw The Vasco Era and Papa vs Pretty stopping off at Cooly Pub for a bit of music and mayhem, playing to a small, but fun and appreciative crowd.

Co-headliners Papa vs Pretty and The Vasco Era brought their thrashing show to the Cooly Hotel. Erin Smith brings you these photos from the fantastic night.

Unfortunately due to a mix up on the door, I was late into the gig on the night. As such, I could only hear openers Glass Towers from afar, and although it wasn't the clearest sound, they sounded like a bright and engaging opener for the night - which made me glad for the crowd who saw them, because the two bands that followed were absolutely mesmerising.

On October 14, The Vasco Era will release a brand new, independent, self-titled album. Recorded live at Melbourne’s Sound Park Studios with producer Steven Schram, The Vasco Era is bursting with nearly freeform metal lashings of noise that whip around the bands blues.

Four bands for forty bucks is awesome value when you consider that this gig at Melbourne’s iconic HiFi Bar included the likes of The Dune Rats, The Bleeding Knees Club, Papa Vs Pretty and The Vines. I have been banging-on about the depth of Australia’s rock talent for some time now, and though these bands aren’t from my home city, I’m still mighty proud to say they’re Australian.