Weekend wonderland
Every
year I eagerly await the lineup announcement of Byron Bay’s
most quintessential (in my opinion) music festival – Splendour
in the Grass. The talk of the forums is always rife with speculation
at who will make the journey from the international contingent
to sway in the fields of Belongil.
Well, the rumours were pretty well right this year,
Vampire Weekend from NYC will make their way, The Wombats and
as will previous but impressive visitors to the Grass, The Music.
Yes, don’t underestimate the talent of Splendour
organisers in pulling together another eclectic and meaty lineup
either. As well as these fine acts they’ve pulled eighties
funsters Devo with their red hats out of the mothballs and will
also bring Swedish maestros Sigur Ros.
But wait there’s more in this first announcement
of live acts.
For those who get into a bit of trip- hop and who
have been suffering without the likes of a Portishead, or Faithless
on our shores, the godfather of this genre Tricky will make a
welcome appearance. His collaborations with Massive Attack led
to a a very successful solo career and he’s regrouped to
bring his live performance our way.
Another of the highlights will be American Indy
Quartet, The Cold War Kids whose last tour in Australia won them
many fond hearts.
Electronica and mash up is represented this year
with Mstrkrft, and Australian dance wonders Pnau will also make
an appearance on this billing. The Presets are also lucky enough
to have scored top billing in the lineup too.
The darlings of Splendour in years gone by, The
Grates will be hot on the heels of Ben Lee and The Gin Club as
well as the Led Zepplinesque - Wolfmother being the big draw cards.
Operator Please will also drop in for a look see this year too.
So if this the first lineup is enough to excite
then all that is required is for you to take an optimism pill
and rally again around your computers (if need be take the day
off) so you can join in the frenzy of ticket purchasing for this
the greatest festival on Earth – ha ha, Splendour is addictive
is all I’m going to say.
For the full lineup announcement and ticket sale
information visit: www.splendourinthegrass.com.
Ruth Bailey
