Soundtrack to your studies - 1996

The 1996 Orientation was free for students and had bands spread across the main campus and beyond, with gigs at the Tamaki campus and the Powerstation. Some of those playing were legendary acts of the era - like Chris Knox, Shihad, and The Exponents - while others were more short-lived. Though sometimes even the obscure bands had a claim to fame - Banshee Reel was the former group of Julia Deans from Fur Patrol. The following week also had a show from UK act Renegade Soundwave.

The Orientation events were shared that year with ATI (now AUT) and it was a gig in the main quad there that drew one of the biggest crowds when The Exponents performed. Unsurprising since they had some massive hits over the preceding few years.

Meanwhile, Flying Nun fans were treated to a stunning - though extremely loud - set by Bailter Space.

The 1996 Big Day Out line-up provided some great catnip for alternative music fans - Rage Against The Machine, Porno for Pyros, Elastica, Tricky, and The Prodigy. However, an unexpected downpour of rain drenched everyone at the venue, even while many other areas of Auckland remained dry. Some punters pulled up the wooden sheets laid down to protect the field and used them as umbrellas, while many others just embraced being soaking wet. The police tried to call off the event, but promoter Doug Hood calmly explained that trying to kick out tens of thousands of drunk youths would probably lead to a riot, so the show went on.

What was pumping on your stereo while you were on campus? Suggest songs to add to our 1990s playlist, and you could win $100 Flying Out voucher.