Best things to see and do at Splendour In The Grass 2019
Splendour in the Grass is returning to North Byron Parklands this weekend. Here’s all you need to know if you’re heading to Australia’s hottest festival.
It’s back bigger and better than ever, and Australia’s most popular music festival — Splendour in the Grass — kicks off on Friday with a stellar line-up making it their biggest event to date.
The festival will kick off this year with a record 42,500 punters set to attend the event, spread across three key days.
Perth act Tame Impala and US rappers Childish Gambino and Chance the Rapper will be the headline acts across the weekend, with a number of other local performances, food and other festivities set to rock the Northern Rivers region this weekend.
Previously, the festival has attracted notable artists such as Coldplay, Powderfinger, Arctic Monkeys, Kanye West and Lorde.
But it’s not just about the music, with plenty of activities to keep festival-goers entertained all weekend long.
SO WHEN AND WHERE IS SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS?
Splendour in the Grass kicks off this Friday, 19th July and runs until Sunday, 21st July 2019 at North Byron Parklands in the Northern Rivers region of NSW.
HOW TO GET THERE? WHY IS IT DIFFERENT THIS YEAR?
The festival announced a “no drop-off” policy on site for private vehicles, and revellers are being forced to reconsider their transport plans.
Those attending need to be dropped off 25 minutes away in Mullumbimby, and will be shuttled in.
“We have moved our drop off and pick up site for private vehicles off the grounds this year as it will assist with managing traffic in and around the festival,” organisers said. “It’s now at Mullumbimby Leagues Club where a free shuttle can drop you to the festival.”
If you catch an Uber, taxi or pre-book a bus, you can get dropped off at the ground.
People are not happy, with some calling it “the dumbest thing ever”.
Splendour has some helpful information here on the new drop off and pick up locations, parking passes and bus tickets.
WHAT’S THE WEATHER LOOKING LIKE?
Historically, there’s been pretty horrendous weather plague the annual festival, with heavy rain turning the grounds in to a mudbath before the first set kicks off.
But this year, festival-goers are in for what looks to be a pretty decent run of sunshine and warm weather during the day, but you will need to pack a coat for when the sun goes down.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), the weekend will hit a max of 20 degrees on Friday and Saturday, while Sunday will warm up to 21.
At night however, expect temperatures to drop significantly to between three and eight degrees. So without sounding like a broken record, you might want to pack a coat.
As for rain, the BOM says the Northern Rivers region should expect clear skies over the course of the weekend, with Friday currently sitting at a zero per cent chance of rain, and Sunday’s prediction at a still-low 20 per cent chance of showers.
THE MUST SEE BANDS
The line-up for 2019 includes US acts Chance the Rapper, Childish Gambino and SZA, as well as Aussie acts Tame Impala, Hayden James, Courtney Barnett and plenty more.
But with record crowds set to inundate the park from Thursday evening, it pays to plan ahead when it comes to deciding on your ‘must-see’ set list:
Tame Impala
Headlining on Friday night, the popular Perth act is fresh from performing headlining slots at Coachella and Glastonbury, so Kevin Parker and his band can now lay claim to being one of the biggest bands on the festival circuit.
The Perth musician and producer has transformed his band’s sound from pysch rock to something a lot more dance-infused. But one thing’s for sure: the band’s live show has gone to another level since they returned to stages this year.
Chance the Rapper
Chicago MC Chance the Rapper heads to Splendour for the first time and his live shows are always energetic and interesting: puppets, choirs, and blistering light shows — anything goes.
The Grammy Award winner has promised his long-awaited “first” album (he calls his previous popular releases Acid Rap and Colouring Book mix-tapes) will be released this month, so it’s very possible we’ll get a premiere of some new tracks when he closes Splendour on Sunday night.
CHILDISH GAMBINO
Childish Gambino, also known as the wildly talented Donald Glover, will headline on Saturday night at the Amphitheatre from 10.45pm. Also coming off a stellar set at Coachella a few months back, fans are hoping there might be a meeting between Glover and Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker might be in the cards.
Check out the full Splendour in the Grass 2019 set list here
WHAT IF I WANT A BREAK FROM THE MUSIC?
The beauty of splendour is that the festival ground is filled with other activities if you want to give your ears a break, and escape the crowds.
Red Bull ‘A Night With’: Before the bands take to the stage on the official opening day, RedBull is throwing their infamous first-night party on Thursday July 18. Starting at 6pm, the
‘A Night With’ party runs until late and is free to enter for anyone with a three-day event ticket.
Smirnoff Infusions X Iceberg’s Dining Room and Bar Experience: It may be set up 780km from Bondi Beach, but the iconic Icebergs restaurant is making the journey to north to Splendour this year.
Housed in a private location behind the Amphitheatre, this pop restaurant will give festival-goers the chance to dine on a three-course feast with drinks by Smirnoff Infusions, Organics By Redbull and Hoegaarden while listening to some of the biggest acts on offer.
The two-hour dining experience ticket will set you back $148.50 and is restricted to just 100 guests per session to dine during the two-hour experience, with drinks for less than 40 calories per serve on offer.
With sessions available during select time across all three days, you will need to book in quick.
Mary’s and Mary’s Pizzeria: Making their way up from Newtown, Mary’s and Mary’s Pizzeria will be serving up delicious food across the three-day festival.
Setting up in the exclusive Gold Bar — where all the artists, celebrities and VIP ticket holders will be hanging — the bar will offer Mary’s burgers with a view.
The Gold Bar gives a side of stage viewing platform at the Amphitheatre stage and prime outlook on the main stage.
Mary’s Pizzeria will be setting up in the newly announced VIP Village.
The science Tent: Starring Dr Karl — yes, the Dr Karl — and Adam Spencer, you can expect cool workshops, a couple of explosions and some hands-on science demos in this tent. Plus, your science hosts will be talking weird and wonderful topics — from the science of a shoey and how Instagram shapes our relationships. They will also analyse some of the greatest sci-fi films with the worst science and cap it off with an all-star science squabble.
The Wilds: By day, Smirnoff’s The Wilds is a laid-back space filled with natural beauty where you can explore, experience and connect with nature.
Local Byron-based artists will host a series of workshops across the weekend that encourage attendees to let their creative spirit run free. From working with in-house designers to create headwear pieces to designing unique airbrushed body art, all sessions will run from midday to 4pm each day and be free for any attendee.
When darkness falls and the light fades, it takes on the feeling of a wild woodland with DJ sets at full volume. Oh, and to keep you festival ready at all times, there will be a free Rimmel London pop-up to provide free touch-up and makeover sessions from professional make-up artists from 12-4pm on Friday — Sunday.
CAN I LISTEN IF I’M NOT GOING?
If you’d rather listen from home, or sadly missed out on tickets this year, Triple J is once again broadcasting at Splendour In The Grass, and will be bringing listeners the top live acts from the festival across all three days.
Tune in to your local Triple J frequency between 2pm and midnight (AEST time) on Friday, July 19, for Tones & I, Tame Impala, Thelma Plum, FIDLAR, Broods and Dave.
On Saturday, tune back in from midday for Dope Lemon, Catfish & The Bottlemen, Little Simz, Ocean Alley, The Streets, Santigold, and Ruby Fields.
While on Sunday you’ll have the chance to listen to Mansionair, Chance The Rapper, Matt Corby, and James Blake.