Words by Monique Hughes and James Tait
Yes, July is well underway and that means that Splendour in the Grass is but a few short weeks away. Everything is booked, you’re buzzing with anticipation. There’s just the small matter of figuring out what to do when you get there. The set times have been released and that means that excitement has turned to solemn consideration, and an ‘oh fuck’ sense of foreboding.
“You’ll get to see us all,” they said. “You’ll have the best time,” they said. Well, festival overlords can be cruel because there’s over 100 artists and 12 stages and inevitably you will have some clashes.
How do you make the right choice?
We’ve got a framework that can help you make the hard decisions. Is a framework a bit too much, you ask? A bit ridiculous, given the whole idea is to run amuck in the sunlight, and give zero shits? Well, I’ve been known to over-plan. It’s served me well before, and I’m here to pass on the good word.
You can thank me later.
1. Stay true to yourself and figure out your non-negotiables:
The acts that made you buy a ticket, the acts that make your heart sing. For me, it’s Client Liaison, Death Cab for Cutie, Years & Years, The Dandy Warhols, Holy Holy, MØ, The Wombats and Jarryd James. Right here, right now, I’m making a commitment to them.
2. Align with your friends:
Sure, you have a list of “nice to haves” right under the “musts”. But generally, it’s not just you making hard choices, but also your crew, and festivals are, for most people, about sharing great times with good people. True friendship isn’t giving you the last sweet potato chip from the veggie man truck, it’s compromising on what you’ll see, and working together to make sure everyone gets to boogie down to their fave. Live music is best when shared, whether that be compromising and catching the last 15 minutes of another act just so you don’t lose each other. In a nutshell, it’s having your friends’ backs and helping each other have an epic time.
3. Know your priorities:
What matters to you most? Certainty: the artists you’ve possibly seen before, but you know give a guaranteed blockbuster show? Variety: mixing up the stages and genres? Brag-worthiness: ticking off the major headliners? Spontaneity: throwing caution to the wind and seeing acts you never expected? People: the music is important, but is it more important to connect with your buddies and create memories with them? It helps to think about what matters to you, so when you have to decide on the day, you can do it with confidence.
4. Take a reality check – there are some logistics and pure survival to plan for:
Of all the pieces of advice, this is certainly the most boring and perhaps obvious. Map out your preferred schedule. Build time in between acts you want to see (we’re making sweeping casual assumptions that you don’t have a jetpack to jump from one stage to another, but yo, hit us up if you do) because it will take time to work your way to the front for an act you want to see. WEAR A WATCH and look at it all the time. You never know when you’re going to find yourself walking past a drum circle that your body will not allow you to not participate in. You could find yourself lost in there for two hours and miss out on some sweet tunes. Also what’s cool is when you, y’know, eat and god knows Splendour has some deeeeelicious food. It’s not a bad idea to eat a mammoth brekkie and lunch to see you through the afternoon, particularly if you’re going to have an alcohol or twenty-three. Pace yourself over the four days: you need to spread the energy and love as much as you can.
5. Remember to have fun:
ALWAYS remember you’re there to have fun first and foremost. Be prepared that things won’t go according to plan, be open to things changing. No one likes that guy who became so overwhelmed with the choices he had to make, and was found whimpering in the corner of the foodstands, rocking back and forth while clutching a miserable gozleme.
Plan all you like, really. It does help, particularly for over-planners like yours truly. But I know that for me, while there are countless artists I’m aching and hoping to see, I really just want to have a swell time with my friends. The fact that I can see some of the best acts around at the moment whilst doing so is just an added bonus.
I usually get pretty damn excited around this time every year with pre-Splendour In The Grass jitters, but this year it’s like there’s a nest of angry, angry fire ants in my underwear, I’m positively itching to get this party underway. To that end I got bored at work this morning and decided to try and cobble together a timetable out of it. It’s ambitious, and I believe I’m vastly underestimating the pure state of fuck-eyed-ness I will be in while I’m trying to navigate my way in between stages, but it was a good way to get disgustingly amped for good ol’ Splendy. If you’re as relentlessly organised as some people, have a crack at cramming as many of these artists in as you can!
For those not attending, check out the full list of sideshows.
The full Splendour 2015 lineup is right here:
Splendour in the Grass 2015
Friday, July 24 – Sunday, July 26
North Byron Parklands, Byron Bay
Splendour In The Grass 2015 Lineup
BLUR
FLORENCE + THE MACHINE
MARK RONSON
OF MONSTERS & MEN
THE WOMBATS
TAME IMPALA
PEKING DUK
RYAN ADAMS
FLIGHT FACILITIES
ROYAL BLOOD
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE
EARL SWEATSHIRT
BOY & BEAR
PORTER ROBINSON
THE DANDY WARHOLS
XAVIER RUDD & THE UNITED NATIONS
AZEALIA BANKS
THE RUBENS
JAMIE T
POND
SPIRITUALIZED
ALISON WONDERLAND
THUNDAMENTALS
BEST COAST
EVERYTHING EVERYTHING
SAN CISCO
MS MR
JARRYD JAMES
PURITY RING
ALLDAY
CARMADA
THE GRATES
THE SMITH STREET BAND
TKAY MAIDZA
JOHNNY MARR
LAST DINOSAURS
MEGAN WASHINGTON
THE VACCINES
#1 DADS
THE CHURCH
KITTY, DAISY & LEWIS
THE KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW
ALPINE
CATFISH & THE BOTTLEMEN
PAUL MAC
DUSTIN TEBBUTT
MØ
YEARS AND YEARS
JENNY LEWIS
C.W. STONEKING
SEEKAE
GEORGE MAPLE
ELLIPHANT
CLIENT LIASON
PALMA VIOLETS
SAFIA
HAYDEN JAMES
DUNE RATS
WOLF ALICE
MEG MAC
COSMO’S MIDNIGHT
MARMOZETS
OH MERCY
MANSIONAIR
THE DISTRICTS
SHLOHMO
ELIZABETH ROSE
THE DELTA RIGGS
CIRCA WAVES
NANCY WHANG
EVES THE BEHAVIOR
URBAN CONE
ART OF SLEEPING
JAPANESE WALLPAPER
GENGAHR
BAD//DREEMS
ECCA VANDAL
HOLY HOLY
VALLIS ALPS
UV boi
THE BABE RAINBOW
HARTS
GENERIK
YOUNG FRANCO
MICKEY KOJACK
GL
BENSON
HARVEY SUTHERLAND
TOTAL GIOVANNI DJS
DUGONG JR
I’LLS
AKOUO
NOISE IN MY HEAD
TRIPLE J UNEARTHED WINNERS
PLUS
JOYRIDE
POST PERCY
ARA KOUFAX
CC:DISCO!
ADI TOOHEY
SET MO
EDD FISHER
MIKE WHO
SHANTAN WANTAN ICHIBAN
Have fun planning!
Splendour in the Grass is right around the corner. And with every festival, comes the unfortunate but inevitable artist cancellation. So far this year hip hop artist Jay Electronica is the only cancellation to date, and and it’s just been announced that his replacement on the Red Bull Music Academy stage will be none other than the wonderful Knxwledge.
Knxwledge, who produced for Kendrick Lamar and Joey Badass on their 2015 albums, has also recently released his first album under the legendary label Stones Throw, and will be making a welcome return to Australia. He was last supposed to visit us in 2013 for OutsideIn Festival, but cancelled himself before the event.
He’ll be performing at the RBMA stage on Sat July 25.
In other news, the RBMA Splendour pre-party lineup has also been announced! The event kicks off on Thursday July 23, at the Byron Bay site, and will be headlined by LDRU, KLP, Yahtzel, Just A Gent, Swick and more.
As always, the RBMA stage is sure to be a glistening highlight of the festival. Here’s the full lineup:
Thurs July 23
Elk Road, Just a Gent, FLP (DJ Set), Slumberjack, Swick & Lewis Cancut, Yahtzel (DJ Set)
Fri July 24
Astral People DJs, Catlips, Charles Murdoch, Deutsch Duke, Klo, Mark Maxwell, Motez, Nosaj Thing, Queen Magic, Silentjay & Jace XL, Willow
Sat July 25
A Love Supreme DJs, Baro, Frank Booker, Hau, Kirkis, Knxwledge, Lucianblomkamp, M5K, Okenyo, Sampology, Tuka
Sun July 26
Eleventeen Elston, HWLS, JMSN, Sable, Shaolin Afronauts, Shlohmo (DJ Set), Thandi Phoenix, Total Giovanni (Live), Wildlife Recordings
The green fields of Splendour in the Grass will once again be graced by some of the best of local and international acts in underground electronic music, courtesy of the Red Bull Music Academy. An mpressively long list of international talent will be flying in for the three-day festival as well as some excellent home grown local talent.
Last year’s event was Japanese-themed, with lanterns and other decorative items. This year, the stage will be bathed in a French theme in a cutting-edge creative space. This coincides with the actual Red Bull Music Academy events, which took place in Tokyo last year, and will be in Paris later this year.
This year the festival has managed to nab Los Angeles DJ Nosaj Thing, who has just dropped a new record, and, impressively, has who has impressively written for Kendrick Lamar and Kid Cudi. Joining him on the Friday night is Sydney’s upcoming electronic producer Deutsch Duke, Triple J Unearthed’s Charles Murdoch, Perth’s Catlips, along with Mark Maxwell and a host of local acts. Most excitingly of all, renowned house producer Motez is closing the first night.
Ripping into Saturday night will be Jay Electronica, followed by Melbourne rapper Baro, the stunning productions of Melbourne’s Lucianblomkamp, live ensemble Kirkis, Sampology and the genre defying Frank Booker.
Wrapping up the festival on Sunday is multi-talented JMSN, Melbourne’s Total Giovanni (who we also interviewed recently), who will be playing a live show. The biggest drawcard of the event is Shlohmo, who is not only playing a full live set at one of Splendour’s main stages, but will be gracing the RBMA tent with a DJ set. Shlohmo, who we recently interviewed, has the distinct honour of not only closing the Red Bull Music Academy stage but in fact the entire festival.
While tickets for Splendour sold out long ago, the stage is running a competition for a last shot at getting tickets. Head HERE to try your luck.
Headlining Splendour in the Grass 2015, international artist and producer wunderkind Mark Ronson has enlisted a stellar crew of guest artists on his upcoming tour to bring the whole Motown-inspired Uptown Special experience to Australia in July.
“I’ve got the best band I’ve ever put together,” he announced on Friday afternoon, speaking to Triple J. And his assertions are justified, with an ensemble that includes not only a complete brass band, but also famed vocalists Andrew Wyatt (of Swedish indie pop trio Miike Snow), Daniel Merriweather, Theophilus London, and Tame Impala’s very own Kevin Parker.
Speaking about Kevin Parker, Ronson added, “I wasn’t going to come to Australia and do shows if he couldn’t come do shows with us. So that’s massive, the fact that we’re going to be able to Daffodils, Leaving Los Feliz, and Summer Breaking for the first time”.
“I’m about to go into the studio and rehearse for…a month for these shows.”
We have no doubt that Ronson will bring a slew of absolutely killer shows, especially with such exciting collaborations. Catch him at Splendour on the Friday, or check out his sideshows dates below. Click right here for our full rundown of Splendour sideshows.
In the meantime, get groovin’ to the ever-funky Uptown Funk:
Off the bat of his recent album I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside (read our review here), Odd Future rapper Earl Sweatshirt will be touching down to play at Splendour in The Grass this July. He’s also just announced a small run out sideshows for those who can’t make it to Byron Bay.
His fierce and unique brand of hip hop takes kindly to the stage, and his live show has been praised by critics and fans alike.
Sat July 25: Max Watts, Sydney
Tues July 28: Prince Bandroom, Melbourne
Wed July 29: Villa Nightclub, Perth
Tickets for all three shows are on sale right now, details at Live Nation
Click here for our complete list of Splendour in the Grass sideshows.
Splendour In The Grass 2015 sold out in less than an hour. I’m pretty this means that I’m not the only person who sat, staring at their computer, wondering what the hell they were going to do now that they missed out on a ticket. Hopefully the butt load of newly announced sideshows will do something to ease your pain. I know it’s slowly helping me recover little pieces of my shattered heart.
We’ll keep updating this bad boy as more shows are announced, but for now, here’s a list of who has been confirmed, where you can catch them and who to throw yo cash dollaz at for a ticket.
Azealia Banks
Fri, July 24: Metro Theatre, Sydney (Tix here)
Sun, July 26: Prince Bandroom, Melbourne (Tix here)
Tickets on sale Wednesday 29 April
Best Coast
Sun, July 26: The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (Tix here)
Tue, July 28: Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (Tix here)
Tickets on sale Monday 27 April
Blur w/ Jamie T (Blur finally hitting our shores and Jamie T twice in one year? Be still, my little cockney heart)
Sat, July 25: Qantas Credit Union Arena, Sydney (Tix here)
Tue, July 28: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne (Tix here)
Thu, July 30: Perth Arena, Perth (Tix here)
Tickets on sale Friday 1 May
The Districts
Mon, July 27 Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (Tix here)
Tue July 28: Newtown Social Club, Sydeny (Tix here)
Tickets on sale Wednesday 29 April
Earl Sweatshirt
Sat July 25: Max Watts, Sydney
Tues July 28: Prince Bandroom, Melbourne
Wed July 29: Villa Nightclub, Perth
Tix on sale now. Available here
Everything Everything w/ Urban Cone
Thu, July 23: The Metro Theatre, Sydney (Tix here)
Sat, July 25: The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (Tix here)
Tickets on sale Wednesday 29 April
Johnny Marr
Sat, July 28: The Metropolis, Fremantle (Tix here)
Mon, July 20: Enmore Theatre, Sydney (Tix here)
Tue, July 21: The Gov, Adelaide (Tix here)
Wed, July 22: Forum Theatre, Melbourne (Tix here)
Tickets on sale now
Kitty, Daisy & Lewis
Sat, August 1: Metro Theatre, Sydney (Tix here)
Sun, August 2: 170 Russell, Melbourne (Tix here)
Tue, August 4: The Gov, Adelaide (Tix here)
Wed, August 5: Rosemount Hotel, Perth (Tix here)
Tickets on sale Wednesday 29 April
Marmozets
Thu, July 23: Newtown Social Club, Sydney (Tix here)
Sat, July 25: Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne (Tix here)
Tickets on sale Wednesday 29 April
Mark Ronson
Wed, July 22: Metro City, Perth
Tues, July 28: Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Wed, July 29: Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne
Tickets on sale May 1
MØ and Elliphant
Tue, July 28: The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (Tix here)
Wed, July 28: Oxford Art Factory (Tix here)
Tickets on sale Wednesday 29 April
MS MR
Wed, July 22: 170 Russell, Melbourne (Tix here)
Sat, July 25: The Metro Theatre, Sydney (Tix here)
Tickets on sale Wednesday 29 April
Of Monsters and Men
Tue, July 21: The Forum Theatre, Melbourne (Tix here)
Wed, July 22: The State Theatre, Sydney (All Ages) (Tix here)
Tickets on sale Thursday 30 April
Porter Robinson w/ Wave Racer and Cosmo’s Midnight
Wed, July 22: Enmore Theatre, Sydney (Tix here)
Thu, July 23: The Forum Theatre Melbourne (Tix here)
Tickets on sale Wednesday 29 April
Purity Ring
Fri, July 24: 170 Russell, Melbourne (Tix here)
Mon, July 27: Metro Theatre, Sydney (All Ages) (Tix here)
Tickets on sale now.
Ryan Adams w/ Jenny Lewis
Sun, July 19: Forum Theatre, Melbourne (Tix here)
Thu, July 23: Enmore Theatre, Sydney (All Ages) (Tix here)
Tickets on sale Wednesday 29 April
The Vaccines w/ Palma Violets
Mon, July 27: The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (Tix here)
Tue, July 28: Metro Theatre, Sydeny (Tix here)
Tickets on sale Wednesday 29 April
Wolf Alice
Thu, July 23: The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (Tix here)
Fri, July 24: Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (Tix here)
Tickets on sale Wednesday 29 April
The Wombats w/ Circa Waves*
Thu, July 23: Metro City, Perth (Tix here) *Circa Waves not appearing
Mon Jul 27: Enmore Theatre, Sydney (Tix here)
Tue July 28 Palais Theatre, Melbourne (Tix here)
Thu July 30, Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide (Tix here)
Tickets on sale Wednesday 29 April
Years and Years
Sun, July 26: Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (Tix here)
Thu, July 30: Howler, Melbourne (Tix here)
Tickets on sale Wednesday 29 April
It’s true! Along with the announcement of their 2015 lineup that dropped yesterday came the announcement that the list of banned items has been modified… And now includes selfie sticks.
That’s right! Alongside weapons of any kind and fireworks, the selfie stick is now prohibited from entering the festival grounds, meaning people will actually have to do this strange thing called – and forgive me if I’m not getting this right – “watching the performance with their own eyes”… Or at least through their screen that is only held at an arm’s length. The announcement follows on from Soundwave also banning the baton of narcissism. The outspoken promoter AJ Maddah summed it up brilliantly when he said, “Dear people with those fucking camera sticks: please have some consideration for people behind you trying to enjoy the show. Thank you.”
No, AJ, thank YOU. This comes after a series of events where punters like myself have come close to permanent damage from how many times I rolled my eyes having been behind some dumb girls taking selfies whilst trying to enjoy a band. It seemed to have reached a critical level at Falls Festival earlier this year, so I’m sure there will be a lot of fellow regular gig goers rejoicing at this development.
Tickets go on sale for Splendour next Wednesday, and you can watch this space for all related news coming from the festival in the months to come!
Ladies and gentlemen, the wait is over. After hints at leaks and rumour mills galore, Triple J breakfast hosts Matt and Alex have announced the full Splendour in the Grass lineup for 2015, and it is:
Keep an eye out over the coming weeks for more details including ticket sales, pricing and more. If you’re anything like us and you’re starting to sort your shit right now, check out over planner’s guide to Splendour in the Grass
Splendour in the Grass 2015
Friday, July 24 – Sunday, July 26
North Byron Parklands, Byron Bay
Splendour In The Grass 2015 Lineup
BLUR
FLORENCE + THE MACHINE
MARK RONSON
OF MONSTERS & MEN
THE WOMBATS
TAME IMPALA
PEKING DUK
RYAN ADAMS
FLIGHT FACILITIES
ROYAL BLOOD
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE
EARL SWEATSHIRT
BOY & BEAR
PORTER ROBINSON
THE DANDY WARHOLS
XAVIER RUDD & THE UNITED NATIONS
AZEALIA BANKS
THE RUBENS
JAMIE T
POND
SPIRITUALIZED
ALISON WONDERLAND
THUNDAMENTALS
BEST COAST
EVERYTHING EVERYTHING
SAN CISCO
MS MR
JARRYD JAMES
PURITY RING
ALLDAY
CARMADA
THE GRATES
THE SMITH STREET BAND
TKAY MAIDZA
JOHNNY MARR
LAST DINOSAURS
MEGAN WASHINGTON
THE VACCINES
#1 DADS
THE CHURCH
KITTY, DAISY & LEWIS
THE KING KHAN & BBQ SHOW
ALPINE
CATFISH & THE BOTTLEMEN
PAUL MAC
DUSTIN TEBBUTT
MØ
YEARS AND YEARS
JENNY LEWIS
C.W. STONEKING
SEEKAE
GEORGE MAPLE
ELLIPHANT
CLIENT LIASON
PALMA VIOLETS
SAFIA
HAYDEN JAMES
DUNE RATS
WOLF ALICE
MEG MAC
COSMO’S MIDNIGHT
MARMOZETS
OH MERCY
MANSIONAIR
THE DISTRICTS
SHLOHMO
ELIZABETH ROSE
THE DELTA RIGGS
CIRCA WAVES
NANCY WHANG
EVES THE BEHAVIOR
URBAN CONE
ART OF SLEEPING
JAPANESE WALLPAPER
GENGahR
BAD//DREEMS
ECCA VANDAL
HOLY HOLY
VALLIS ALPS
UV boi
THE BABE RAINBOW
HARTS
GENERIK
YOUNG FRANCO
MICKEY KOJACK
GL
BENSON
HARVEY SUTHERLAND
TOTAL GIOVANNI DJS
DUGONG JR
I’LLS
AKOUO
NOISE IN MY HEAD
TRIPLE J UNEARTHED WINNERS
PLUS
JOYRIDE
POST PERCY
ARA KOUFAX
CC:DISCO!
ADI TOOHEY
SET MO
EDD FISHER
MIKE WHO
SHANTAN WANTAN ICHIBAN
Tickets go on sale Thursday April 23 at 9am sharp through moshtix or 1300 GET TIX
3 day Event Ticket – $365 + booking fees.
Single Day Tickets (Friday, Saturday or Sunday) – $155 + booking fees.
Camping Ticket – $120 + booking fees.
Gather, my fellow over-planners – let’s converse. Field Day – long forgotten. The Hottest 100? Lukewarm leftovers on the counter. Laneway? More like Lame-way.* It’s time to focus on what’s ahead – Splendour in the Grass.
Isn’t it a little early you say? After all, the dates just came out (if you missed it, the last weekend of July, at its rightful home, North Byron Parklands). There isn’t so much as murmur about who the lineup might be, and the weather bureau is months from being able to make a call about whether you’ll need your gumboots (and if it rains, I’m telling you, you do).
But the time is now, my friends, to start over-planning the shiz out of Splendour. Because by the time tickets ARE on sale, you’ll be sitting pretty, smug in the knowledge that your epic 4 day weekend is all set to go.
Who am I to tell you how to plan for Splendour? Well – aside from my own experience from the past two years (more to come on that later), I’m an over-planner to the extreme. I blame it on my Dad, who used to make us show up over 4 hours early for any international flight “in case of traffic” (I still get anxiety when I am not checked in over an hour before the flight).
So let me share with you a few ideas.
*admittedly Laneway will be really cool, so you should definitely still hit that up. Also, I tested the “Lame-way” joke on my friend at work and he gave it 10/10, so that’s why it’s in here.
1. Decide how you’re going to get there. Decide on the day you’ll head up (the Thursday or the Friday morning?) and pick a transport option. The drive is always fun (it’s about 10 hours from Sydney) and if you and your homies want to try out a few days in a camper, it’s a perfect time to book it (leave it too long and you’ll probably end up with a Wicked campervan with the word “fuck” emblazoned over the back of it.) But if you’ve got spare Frequent Flyer points lying around, I reckon a $45 flight each way (Sydney to Byron – Jetstar have a sale on right now) is hard to beat. Plus, the likelihood of picking up a hot festival go-er sitting across from you in the exit row is a lot higher (did I mention Splendour 2014 was a great year?).
2. Book your accommodation. I’ve camped one year and gotten a house the other, and I’m going to go out on a limb and say that camping is the way to go. If you’re considering the camping route, there are many options, including DIY, camper vans and TentCity (they set it all up for you). You’re right in the thick of it and although sleeping can be a bit of a pain (bring earplugs), it’s great being able to duck back to the tent throughout the day and NOT have to do the daily shuttle in and out of Byron. Thinking you want a house? Start looking now and dear God, get a house close to the shuttle, or you will almost certainly end up paying a toothless man $30 to drive you home at 1am because there are only 3 cabs in Byron.
3. Get your crew together. Festivals are about sharing good tunes with good company. Start getting your peeps sorted now, because it will take them a full month of fussing about, booking leave, and generally being fence-sitters until they commit. Make sure you think outside the box too – don’t just invite your hipster gig-going friends, but think about people who might not’ve ventured to Splendour on their own accord. Last year my friend Richard came along, who didn’t know a single act on the lineup, and spent 3 weeks responding to people’s questions of “who are you looking forward to seeing?!” with “The Foals” (word to the wise, Richard had never heard of Foals in his life). Needless to say he had a brilliant time (and did indeed enjoy Foals). Alternatively, be brave and consider heading up on your own.
4. Get social. You’ve got 6 months until this shit goes down, and that’s plenty of time to engage in the online social community of Splendour before you even arrive in sunny Byron. Start by liking the Facebook page and enthusiastically tagging your friends in various announcements (“OMG guys, here we go again!”). Start engaging in speculations about the lineup (hell – start some rumours of your own). Follow music and festival blogs. Share thoughts on the lineup when it’s announced. React with dismay when bands inevitably pull out (the crap that went down when London Grammar pulled out and The Presets stepped in was ridiculous).
5. Embrace some epic tunes. Planning for a 4-day festival like Splendour is a great opportunity to (re)embrace music. Once the lineup is out, immerse yourself in some new sounds or revisit some old ones (who TBTd to Outkast last year?). Play the Spotify lists and start pencilling out your favourites. Think about checking out something different from your usual fare (for me it was psy-trance in the Tipi Forest). You’ve got a few months to really test out your faves, and who knows, you might end up going to some unexpectedly awesome sets.
6. Figure out your festival fashion. Byron in Winter ends up being a weird mash – part Summer in the day, and part Winter at night. Now’s a pretty good time to sort your Summer gear, but I’d say it’s even better to get your Winter gear sorted soon – get a good, lightweight jacket, a handful of ponchos, and of course, some gumboots (if you want your friends to pay you out, buy Hunters from The Iconic – otherwise Bunnings can sort you on the cheap). Of course, invest HEAVILY in the obligatory glow-stick bangles, John Lennon sunglasses and those metallic, fake tattoo things that every chick was wearing at Field Day. These all tend to sell out about a month before Splendour.
7. Calm the fuck down. OK – admittedly this is an over-planner’s guide to Splendour. But relax, you’ve got time (we are probably looking at tickets coming out in May) – and to be fair, you may want to wait until you’ve got tickets in your grubby little hands before you book things willy-nilly. But hey, I say go for it. Take a gamble that the lineup – and weather – will be awesome, and just book it in. Trust me, it will be awesome.
Hope to see you there.