With the countdown on to Big Day Out’s second round announcement, we’ve decided to weigh in with some of our own predictions. It’s time to crush a few dreams, too, as we mark off the acts that are out of contention. So, with much excitement and some dubious reasoning, here’s what FasterLouder is thinking about that all-important round two…

IT COULD HAPPEN…

The Last Shadow Puppets
With Arctic Monkeys already sitting pretty at the top of the bill, would it be crazy to assume frontman Alex Turner’s side-project could be getting a look in? After all, James Ford – who produced The Age of Understatement and occasionally plays drums in the Puppets’ live band – is already playing Big Day Out as part of Simian Mobile Disco. The only missing link is Turner’s offsider Miles Kane – but he can’t be too busy, can he? This January, the second round announcement included Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello in his Nightwatchman guise, so there’s already a tradition in place…

Lupe Fiasco
Big Day Out is not afraid of repeat bookings, and who are we to protest if the returnee is Lupe Fiasco? The MC was nothing short of brilliant on the 2007 BDO and footage from this July’s Glastonbury suggests he’s only got better. With a new album, The Cool, released since his last visit, the timing is right too.

Check out Lupe Fiasco doing Superstar at Glastonbury.

Eagles Of Death Metal
The bastard side-project of Jesse Hughes and Josh Homme, Eagles Of Death Metal is the kind of act festivals are made for. Could we be seeing the rock – œn roll roughnecks at Big Day Out 2009? In his recent chin-wag with FasterLouder, Jesse said the band is looking to tour here “in a couple months, I hope”. With the forthcoming EODM album Heart On sure to be a scorcher, we’re hoping too.

Cat Power
The most wondrous Chan Marshall was last in Australia at the start of the year pimping (yet another) covers album. She dropped a few hints whilst here that she would be back for a festival in the summer. We’ve ruled out Laneway, Falls, Pyramid and we can’t see her on a V Festival bill. It’s all pointing in one – œBig’ direction to us…

Crystal Castles
A Big Day Out line-up isn’t complete without a few – œhype bands’. Sure, we’ve already got The Ting Tings, but the European festival circuit has been going particularly ga-ga for Toronto duo Crystal Castles. The band is known for its frenetic live shows, with singer Alice Glass never quite staying within the confines of the stage. Crystal Castles’ self-titled debut album came out this March to much trendsetter frothing, so there’s a good chance BDO could be boarding the bandwagon. See also: Friendly Fires.

Erol Alkan
When it comes to DJs, Big Day Out favours the kind that can play – œbig’. Erol Alkan fits that brief to a tee. As co-founder of the now-retired London club night Trash, he championed the heady sound-clash of indie, rock and electro. With the likes of Daft Punk and Bloc Party lining for his remixing prowess, no DJ better deserves the – œcrossover’ tag. A visit from Erol Alkan has so far eluded us, but we’ve noticed there’s a gap in his tour schedule between 16 January and 26 February.

Repeat Offenders
Finally we also have the – œrepeat offenders’ category – that is, bands that have appeared on every festival from Koo-wee-rup to Karatha in the last year. We are sure at least one of these will be making the bogans smile and joining the Big Day Out procession come January – Cog, Mammal, Bluejuice or Trail Kennedy (and if they hadn’t played last year, Grinspoon would also be included).

DON’T GET YOUR HOPES UP…

Kaiser Chiefs
Hopes were high for these Leeds lads, especially with the arrival of new album Off With Their Heads. Alas, Big Day Out seems out of the question, with Kaiser Chiefs doing the European circuit during January.

Kings Of Leon
We were so sure that these hip-swinging southerners were a shoe-in for the BDO after they told an Australia radio program that they would be here in January. Sadly our sex will remain extinguished, as the Kings have announced they will be playing the US on the 24th and 29th of January. Boo.

The Streets
Big Day Out’s favourite geezer Mike Skinner sadly won’t be soaking up the Australian sun in January. Instead, he’ll be getting lairy around England to promote his new (and critically divisive) album Everything Is Borrowed.

STAY TUNED FOR THE OFFICIAL 2ND ROUND ANNOUNCEMENT HERE ON FASTERLOUDER!