Splendour in the Grass 2022 teens seek out alternatives

A sudden rule change has snubbed those aged under 18 from attending Splendour In The Grass without a “responsible adult”. See how some are finding ways to still attend the return of Byron’s mega festival.

A shock announcement has gutted young music fans planning to attend Byron’s Splendour In The Grass festival just two weeks before its grand return.

A new rule announced this week by NSW Police means those aged under 18 cannot attend the popular festival unless they are accompanied by a “responsible adult”.

Keen young festival-goers have made travel and accommodation bookings from as far as Melbourne and Perth for the grand return to the festival after a Covid hiatus.

While the decision is heartbreaking for many, some have also come up with a unique solution by offering themselves as makeshift guardian.

In the true festival spirit, Jessica McHardy, 28, reached out to a “gutted” Hope Connor, 17, over Facebook to offer help.

Jessica McHardy, 28, reached out to a gutted teen over Facebook to offer a solution for attending Splendour in the Grass 2022.

“It’s brutal to have bought a ticket and be excited for so long only to miss out because you have no one to chaperone you,” Ms McHardy said.

Ms McHardy said allowing Hope to attend was a “small price to pay” after lengthy lockdowns cancelled many events.

“It’s in the spirit of the festival to help people out. It’s so harsh to bring this rule in so soon before the festival,” she said.

Hope is coming to Byron from Melbourne, having spent over a thousand dollars in planning the trip with her partner.

“Splendour was a gift for me and my boyfriend’s birthday. It’s so disappointing,” she said.

Having booked flights, accommodation and tickets over six months ago, Hope’s only solution is to find a buddy in the form of a “responsible adult”.

However, the decision was a potentially risky one for desperate youth.

“They should offer refunds to anyone that can’t go. I can’t imagine how many people are in the same position as us,” Hope said.

She said an under-18s section, which prohibits drinking, should be implemented as a solution,

“My parents can't afford to just ‘buy’ tickets, accommodation and flights. They don't have a thousand dollars in their hands just to babysit me at an event,” Hope said.

Other have questioned the last minute change.

Maddy Dyba said it was “absolute crap.”

Splendour in the Grass is back after Covid forced cancellations - but now with a catch for the U18 crowd. Picture: Mark Metcalfe

“All under eighteens should get a full refund or (the festival) hands out free tickets for the mums and dads who accompany them,” Ms Dyba said.

Ms Dyba said the rule-change may cause further criminal behaviour from under-eighteens rather than encouraging safe attendance.

“This decision will prompt a lot of kids to source fake identities and open the door for unsafe behaviour where they should’ve been safe in the gates of an organised festival with police presence,” she said.

Marie Young said the change only worsened a “abysmal” Australian music scene.

“This makes it harder for people to attend and is going to hurt the industry as well,” Ms Young said.

Those under 25 around alcohol are typically not classified as a “responsible adult” under NSW Legislation but Splendour has created an online form to allow the age bracket to accompany under 17s and updated the number of minors per guardian from three to four

Currently, refunds have not been made available for festival goers without guardian options.