Trading in traditional ponchos and gumboots for a more appropriate singlet and hat, thousands of people assembled for this year’s three day music festival Splendour in the Grass. The headline acts in this years line up contained the likes of The Avalanches, The Strokes, Cure and Flume.
Contiki launched the weekend off with Marigold Majestic, an Indian inspired event featuring Bollywood dancers and music from Sampology. An explosive ray of colour spread across Splendour’s first ever hosted colour party. The Marigold Majestic hosted an array of events all throughout Splendour giving punters a real experience of India. The activities included Bollywood workshops, yoga classes and henna drawings.
However the weekend wasn’t all dancing and music related, rumour had it that Dr Karl from Triple J was also known to be roaming around the camping site educating restless punters on all things factual.
Splendour played host to ABC television show Q&A. The host, Tony Jones led a panel including Labour MP Terri Butler, Coalition MP Dr Andrew Laming, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and journalists Peter Greste and Cian Westmoreland.
Day 1
DMA’s were the real kick-starters for the day followed by The Kills’ who took the Amphitheatre stage 15 minutes late in rock star fashion but then delivered the goods.
In the early evening Jack Garratt and Hayden James were slaying it in the Mix Up tent with crowds overflowing for both sets. If you didn’t get in early you were outside scavenging for a bin or pole to climb just to get a good view. Mean while at the Amphitheatre Brisbane boys Violent Soho had the crowd in a vice grip producing nothing short of the mark while covering a Nirvana classic.
Melbourne’s The Avalanches, possibly one of the most anticipated acts on the line-up, left the crowd quite divided at the end of their set. A perfect example of The Avalanches Educating the young and reminding the old was when they played Frontier Psychiatrist with Gnarls Barkely’s Crazy and then The Who’s My Generation.
The evening was then gift-wrapped by The Strokes who went on 20 minutes late, but played a perfect set with punters eating out of their palms.
Day 2
Saturday at Splendour went hard early with sets from NGAIIRE and Harts at the opening of the day. The afternoon was elevated when Australian artists, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Gang of Youths and Sticky Fingers performed to eager crowds at the amphitheatre.
The most underrated act of the weekend belonged to American punk rock band At The Drive In. Patrons in attendance attempted to rival front man Cedric Bixler with his unmatched stage presence for the weekend.
Those who stayed around for The Cure where not disappointed, as they were blessed with a two hour and forty-five minute set from the legends. Thousands of young and old fans crammed into the cold Amphitheatre together at the end of the night to hear Robert Smiths golden voice. The Cures set list played hits such as ‘Boys Don’t Cry, Pictures of you, Just Like Heaven and Friday I’m in Love’.
Day 3
Sunday Jagwar Ma made their return to Splendour and was well received as they dropped multiple new tracks off their latest coming album. Australian artists The Preatures had a groovy crowd before UK artist Jake Bugg brought home the GW McLennan tent.
One way or another Splendour in the Grass attendees wrapped up their weekends with dancing, Sigur Ros in the Mix Up Tent or boogying with the masses in the Amphitheatre to Flume‘s chock-a-block headline set.
The Top 10 tune pleasers of Splendour in the Grass
- The Avalanches-Frankie Sinatra
- The Strokes-Reptilia
- At the drive in- One armed scissor
- The Cure- FridayI’m in Love
- Gang of Youths- Magnolia
- Sticky Fingers- How To Fly
- Band of Horses- No ones going to love you
- The Preatures- Is this how you feel
- Violent Soho- Covered in Chrome
- Flume- Never Be Like You
– David
David is a social worker who reads, writes and helps people in need. When he is not working he likes to go exploring on outdoor adventures.
Splendour in the Grass was held on the 22-24th July and is not a wheelchair accessible venue.
Disclaimer: The Plus Ones were invited guests of Contiki.
