Pull out your swag, hijack your mum’s Tarago and brace yourself for three days of musical bliss.
One of Australia’s most celebrated music festivals, SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS, is set to commemorate its 10-year anniversary with its most exhilarating event yet. With tickets going on sale this Thursday May 6th, you had better get your camping gear ready because it is set to sell out in minutes.
It has been 10 years since the little event called SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS made its debut in Byron Bay. The mid-winter event, which consistently features quality musical acts alongside quirky arts and counter-culture, has been quickly embraced by music lovers, and grown to be one of the biggest festivals in Australia.
For this special anniversary year, the event has departed the grassy knoll at Bryon Bay and relocated to a much bigger venue at the glorious Woodfordia in the Queensland Sunshine Coast. The capacity at Woodfordia is 30,000, with enough room on site for 20,000 campers. This year, the birthday party will take place over three magnificent days from Friday July 30th to Sunday August 1st 2010.
By now, you’re probably already tired of hearing everyone rave on about the highly anticipated line up for Splendour this year. However, there is a mighty good reason for all of the hype flying around Facebook and Twitter. When reading the line up for the first time my jaw seemed to inch closer and closer to the ground the further my eyes travelled down the list.
The Strokes, The Pixies and Ben Harper and the Relentless Seven all return to Australia to headline this star-studded music extravaganza.
LCD Soundsystem are back in town for what could be their final tour. After recently releasing This is Happening, LCD Soundsystem’s third and final album, the group has decided to call it a day. The band has also announced several side shows across Australia with Hot Chip who will also join Splendour’s line-up, fresh from blowing away the crowds at Coachella.
Florence & The Machine, Mumford & Sons and Grizzly Bear can’t seem to get enough of Australia as they set foot on our soil for the second time this year. Some might wonder if this is Laneway Festival round two, but we’re certainly not complaining.
So who should we really be looking out for over the three-day festival? Here are my picks:
Miike Snow has stumbled out of the woodworks producing what could be seen as pop genius. Having written and produced hits for the likes of Britney Spears, Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Jennifer Lopez, Ms. Dynamite, Kelis and Jordan Sparks, the mysterious entity known as Miike Snow is being hailed as one of the best pop bands of the year. Unleashing on the world their debut self-titled album of infectious and intelligent indie pop in 2009.
Yeasayer are certainly the ‘cool kids on the block’ right now. Following up their critically acclaimed 2007 debut, All Hour Cymbals, their latest album Odd Blood from 2008 blends ambient rhythms and the global sound of album number one with forceful, ambitious electronics and hook-laden playful pop to create something truly inspired.
Hailing from Iceland is Sigur Rós’ lead singer, Jónsi, who this year released his first solo album, Go. His uplifting, instrumentally rich debut has songs that unearth anthemic, multi-textured tracks, making his live show one to look out for.
If you would like to keep it local then my pick out of the emerging Aussie artists has to be Boy & Bear. Dubbed Triple J’s Unearthed artists with the release of their first single Mexican Mavis, the five boys hailing from Sydney certainly know how to put on a show. With folky sounds that bear striking resemblance to the Fleet Foxes, they have been touring with the likes of Angus & Julia Stone, Laura Marling and will soon to be supporting Lisa Mitchell, all of whom will feature in this year’s line up in Splendour in the Grass. Check out their latest video clip for the newly released single Rabbit Song.
So pack your bags kids and get ready for the biggest road trip of 2010!
For more information, visit: http://splendourinthegrass.com/
Tickets go on sale at 9am Thursday May 6th, and can be purchased through Moshtix www.moshtix.com.au or phone 1300 GET TIX (438 849).
The bitter, bitter disappointment at having to give this one a miss. Seeing The Pixies at Sydney’s Horden Pavilion this year was one of the best gigs I have ever, ever been to. Oh Splendour… why must you be so splendid?
Great information .. Thank you for sharing this wonderful information with amazing videos with us..
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I’m in the same boat as Lyrian!
The Pixies were probably the best gig I’ve attended in a long time. I will be sad when they hit our shores again as my greediness and neediness of witnessing them again will not be fulfilled!