A big, hot blast for 52,000 music fans at the Melbourne Big Day Out

MORE than 52,000 fans sweltered at Flemington Racecourse yesterday for the annual Big Day Out music festival. Backstage video

Big Day Out

MORE than 52,000 fans sweltered at Flemington Racecourse yesterday for the annual Big Day Out music festival.

Australian bands pulled some of the largest audiences.

Melbourne band Little Red incited a singalong with their hit, Rock It, at the un-rock 'n' roll time of midday, while Perth band Birds of Tokyo thrilled with Plans.

"The line-up reflects the fact Australian music has been more dominant in Australia over the last year than overseas music," promoter Viv Lees said.

The folky Angus and Julia Stone provided relief with a huge crowd watching them, while Sydney hip-hop act Bliss N Eso broke up the guitar bands.

Warrnambool's Airbourne delivered pub rock with frontman Joel O'Keeffe risking his life to climb on top of the main stage while playing guitar.

Megan Washington's hits, Rich Kids and Sunday Best, were favourites while Melbourne's Gypsy and the Cat justified the hype.

Buzz act Plan B, from Britain, mixed soulful vocals with spitfire rap. His set included hip-hop remakes of Ain't No Sunshine, Stand By Me and Seal's Kiss From a Rose.

German band Rammstein brought their bag of pyrotechnic tricks back and headline act and moody American rockers Tool thrilled with their uncompromising metal.