AND NOW FOR THE REAL DEAL…CHECK OUT THE FIRST BIG DAY OUT LINE-UP ANNOUNCEMENT HERE!

With the rumour mill already working overtime, FasterLouder has been taking note of all the artists we’ve heard (and several we hope) might be making the pilgrimage down under for Big Day Out 2009. After some sage-like predictions from our own Libby Clark in the lead-up to this year’s event, we thought it was high time to put our betting hats on and chalk up some odds. Without further adieu, here’s FasterLouder’s take on the likely contenders.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds: Having dropped new album Dig Lazarus Dig early in 2008, Australia’s son of melancholy has been storming the international festival circuit both with the Bad Seeds and with his grittier incarnation – Grinderman – making a visit to Oz in coming months highly likely. To add wind to the fire, Nick recently dropped in an interview that he would be back in Australia in January – We hears ya Nick. Odds: 20-1. UPDATE! Looks like there’ll be no BDO for Nick Cave, as he’s been confirmed as the first headliner for the inaugural All Tomorrow’s Parties festival.

Primal Scream: Bobby Gillespie and his Scottish lads have made somewhat of a comeback this year with their new album Beautiful Future. They have been churning it out on the European Circuit and been hanging to come to our fair land for the BDO for some time now. In fact, in 2006 guitarist Andrew Innes told Rave Magazine they were just waiting on word from the promoters themselves – “It’s up to the guy who runs Big Day Out, isn’t it. If he wants to book us, we’re available for weddings and bar mitzvahs. It’d be nice to come down again, I like that festival….” We reckon 2009 is the year of the Scream. Odds: 25-1.

Weezer: Earlier in the year we reported that Weezer were strongly rumoured to be heading down under in the next 12 months. It has been 12 years since Rivers Cuomo and co have visited our fair shores and the pressure has begun to build. Aussie fans have re-ignited a long-standing petition on the Weezer website to get the lads down under and a Facebook group titled Petition to get Weezer to Australia 08-09 has been going into overdrive. We are adding up all the numbers and putting bets on the wonderful Weezer to be swaying our way come Big Day Out. Odds: 60-1.

Simian Mobile Disco: The UK production team of James Ford and James Shaw has been killing it on the European festival circuit recently with a dazzling live show. Speaking with our sister site inthemix in July, Ford revealed, “We’re currently trying to do the Big Day Out thing, that’s definitely on the cards. As long as all the logistical stuff happens we’ll be out there in January. We’re looking forward to it!” Odds: 10-1.

The Vines: Re-energised and raring to head out on their first national tour in four years, The Vines let slip to FasterLouder backstage at Splendour In The Grass that they have Big Day Out in their sights. With Melodia going great guns, and BDO always capitalising on the local legends, this one should be a shoe-in. Odds: 5-1.

The Verve: We thought these comeback kings were a dead cert for Splendour In The Grass, but it was not to be. After rousing slots at Glastonbury and V Festival UK, we’re now throwing The Verve out there as potential Big Day Out 2009 headliners. Odds: 80-1.

Scars On Broadway: The breakaway faction of System Of A Down, Scars On Broadway told FasterLouder’s Brendan Barnhill their management is in talks with Big Day Out organisers. “With System we played the Big Day Out festival twice and we also played some of our own shows on off days of the festival,” the duo hinted. “Right now we are working it into our plans as we would love to come back down there in your summer and play the Big Day Out again. We have our people talking to their people and I can promise you this – if it can be done, it will be done.” Odds: 10-1. UPDATE! The odds looked very good indeed, but no cigar. Instead, Scars On Broadway are heading out here for Soundwave 2009.

Bloc Party: Okay, so we have no evidence to back this one up, but we reckon they are a shoe-in. Having just played Reading, Leeds and V Festival (and the rest), Bloc Party are well and truly on the campaign trail to promote their latest album Intimacy. Kele didn’t mention anything specific in his recent chat with FL about heading down under, however, let’s just say we have a feeling in our bones about this one. Odds: 40-1. UPDATE! No deal here either – Bloc Party have confirmed headline shows for November, and we doubt they’ll be back so soon after.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre: Anton Newcombe and his latest batch of Jonestown players land in Australia this week for a run of sold-out headline shows. In a revealing interview with FasterLouder back in May, Newcombe enthused, “After our shows in August we already want to come back in the summer and play the Big Day Out festival, because I hear so many fantastic stories about that tour from all my friends in other bands – so we are talking to people about it now!” It’s possible, though, that those “people” mightn’t want to take the risk on this notoriously volatile band. Let’s just say we’re hopeful! Odds: 25-1.

Foo Fighters: We know that Foo Fighters is a name dragged out year after year as a BDO contender, however, when they were here earlier in 2008 to promote the new album Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace, Chris Schifflett mentioned in a chat with FL that the Foos loved our fair land so much they hoped to return as early as JANUARY next year…Maybe even in time to celebrate Australia Day? Bloody oath! Odds: 50-1.

Pendulum: The meteoric rise of Perth-bred, UK-based unit Pendulum has been something to behold. With a devastating sound fusing drum ‘n bass with heavy rock, they’re the kind of act Big Day Out is made for. “Are we likely to see you back here for the summer, for a festival like the Big Day Out..?” inthemix quizzed bass-player Gareth McGrillen and drummer Kodish back in June. “Hopefully we’ll be back,” Gareth responded, before Kodish asked; “When’s it on? Next January? Yeah probably, I think that’s what we’re looking at,” with Gareth adding, “We’d like to, definitely.” Odds: 15-1.

Neil Young: While he’s unlikely to make the teen contingent rush the gates, it’d be something of a coup if those persistent Neil Young rumours turned out to be true. The veteran is almost certainly paying us a visit in January, so if it’s not for Big Day Out it might just break our Heart Of Gold. Odds: 10-1. UPDATE! Success! Neil Young is the first confirmed headliner for Big Day Out 2009. We’re excited…

Santogold: Having notched up appearances at Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, Rock The Bells and Summer Sonic, it’s high time Philidelphia starlet Santogold showed herself down under. If there’s weight to the whispers we’ve heard, this January could be the time. Odds: 50-1. UPDATE!: Well, we were right about the January part. Turns out Santogold will play a New Zealand festival this New Years, so her Australian debut may be a little earlier than we expected.

AC/DC: The Gods Of Rock have recently revealed that on October 18 they will be releasing their first studio album in eight years (of which FL is going to get a sneak peak this Friday – so stay tuned to hear all about it). It has also recently been announced that Acca Dacca will be heading out on a mega world tour in December/January. It may be wishful thinking, but FL is putting money on our favourite horse to bring it on home at the BDO 2009. Odds: 100-1.

Who have you got your bets on? FL is keeping an eye out for who gets the closest guesses, and there might even be a sneaky prize in it. Gas-bag away HERE.

Got Big Day Out fever? Relive all the memories from this year’s edition in the amaz-o Sydney gallery.