Photo Credit: Bianca Holderness
By: Olivia Poglianich
Splendour in the Grass, aka the Coachella of the Land Down Under, just released their lineup for the most anticipated festival of the year, and it is an absolute banger.
Returning to the North Byron Parklands grounds for 3 days from July 20th – 22nd, the 18th annual Splendour festival boasts +100 artists ranging from Australia’s best talents to global sensations.
In addition to playing host to the best headliners Australia will have all winter (and arguably the year) Splendour will also be an arena rife for exploration. There’s The Tipi Forest for the ravers amongst us, full of interactive art exhibits and technicolor lights that will grace the best dance floor in Byron Bay. You could also saunter on over to the Global Village for tarot card readings or a morning yoga class, the Comedy Club for your daily dose of hilarity, or the Splendour Forum for some real talk.
As if that’s everything. Splendour is back with its brand new Science Tent for the second year, equipt with mind melting experiments. Or if you’re more of a Pinterest fan, the Craft Tent has your back with lots of opportunities to bedazzle anything and everything you’re wearing. There’s even a new kids zone (and family friendly playground) for the parents amongst us, so your rave days never have to end.
This year’s line up includes indie rockers, famed pop singers, and the best in electronic and hip-hop. A lot of the artists on the line up this year are coming to Australia just for Splendour so this will be your only chance to see them in the country, if not the entire Southern Hemisphere. Here’s just a small sampling of the great lineup Splendor boasts this year:
Lorde
New Zealand born singer and songwriter, Lorde returns to Splendour 5 years later and as an international pop sensation. Last time, she was just 16 and got the call to perform just 2 days before the event. It was right before she released her first album Pure Heroine and she was filling in for Frank Ocean. Fast forward to today and the Kiwi singer has come so far, now finishing up a world tour for her second album Melodrama, not to mention her nomination for a Grammy award. This will be her only show in Australia all year.
Kendrick Lamar
The American rapper who has been slaying international charts as of late will grace Australian stages with his “Humble” act, of course performing the Triple J’s Hot 100 chart-topping hit. Although he was in Australia just 2 years back, this time around, he’ll be able to perform songs from DAMN.
Khalid
Although he’s still relatively new on the scene, Khalid is no stranger to Australia. He performed a few times in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne just last year but now the 20-year-old American rapper is making his way to Byron Bay to play the crowd favourite Young, Dumb & Broke. Expect to hear other chart-topping hits from his debut album, American Teen.
Girl Talk
The American DJ makes his way Down Under for his only show in Australia. He’s been on the festival circuit in the States for a few years, though hasn’t released much new music since 2014. Expect some late night jammin’ to his fan favourites This is the Remix and Let it Out.
Vampire Weekend
Things have been pretty quiet for this band since their last album Modern Vampires of The City came out in 2013. This New York duo are planning to drop an album later this year, so let’s hope they tease a few new songs on stage in Byron Bay.
There are 101 acts playing the festival this year. Some other crowd favourites will include Chvrches, Miguel, and Franz Ferdinand just to name a few. So what are you waiting for? Grab your tix next week on April 19th through here.