It's an aptly named festival - not only do you get to see some of the world's biggest acts, but it's a bloody big day if you start rocking when the gates open at 11am and don't stop until they close at 11pm.

I was lucky enough to attend every Melbourne Big Day Out from 2000 to 2008 before retiring due to old age. Here are five highlights from those events, including one that was memorable for the wrong reasons.

The Vines (2003)

HOT on the release of their world-conquering Highly Evolved, The Vines were the buzz band of the '03 BDO. Word was that these guys were awesome live - they turned out to be the most memorable disappointment the event has ever had. Despite a promising start, frontman Craig Nicholls seemed to quickly lose interest, smashing six guitars during the short set, some within seconds of being handed them by a roadie. As the set wore on, he hardly played guitar at all and barely tried to sing, while his bandmates shared a 'here we go again' grimace. Fans walked and by the end of the set the D-shaped mosh pit in front of the stage was nearly empty except for those people waiting for the next band. In 2007 they returned and redeemed by playing a truly awesome set on one of the smaller stages.

Iggy & The Stooges (2006)

THE BDO likes to include a 'heritage act' each year - Neil Young, Rage Against The Machine, The Violent Femmes, Billy Bragg, Jane's Addiction for example. Before it can be a nerve-racking wait as fans wonder whether these bands are past their prime or they can still deliver. When the shirtless, 60-something Godfather Of Punk burst onto the stage with his Stooges, all fears flew out the window as he delivered a set that had more energy than many of the bands half his age. Whirlwinding around the stage, playing hits like TV Eye, 1969, and No Fun, it seemed like Iggy didn't want to stop. So, as the band played I Wanna Be Your Dog for the second time that set, Iggy started pulling fans on stage, much to the horror of the security guards. Soon there were 50 people on stage, and while they were the priveleged few, we all felt priveleged for witnessing Iggy live.