Alex the Astronaut’s splendid return to beloved turf

When 50,000 music fans gather near Byron Bay this weekend for the long-awaited return of Splendour in the Grass, at least one artist is as thrilled to be there as those in the crowd.

Indie pop singer-songwriter Alex the Astronaut, aka Alexandra Lynn, at Clovelly beach in Sydney, returns to Splendour in the Grass near Byron Bay this weekend. Picture: John Feder

When about 50,000 music fans gather near Byron Bay this weekend for the long-awaited return of Splendour in the Grass, Australia’s biggest winter camping festival, at least one of the performing artists will be as thrilled to be returning as those in the crowd.

“Splendour is the most special festival for me,” said indie pop singer-songwriter Alex the Astronaut, aka Alexandra Lynn. “I went for the first time in 2017 as a punter; the next year I came back and played in the Science Tent, and in 2019 I played the GW McLennan stage, so it’s really been a mark of where I’m at as an artist.”

On Friday, Lynn releases her second album as Alex the Astronaut. Titled How to Grow a Sunflower Underwater, it’s an upbeat and personal set of songs that canvass life-changing moments such as her recent autism diagnosis, among other compelling subjects, all delivered with a breezy vocal style that is entirely her own.

Then on Sunday, the ARIA-nominated artist will return to the same place as in 2019 – the tent named in honour of the late Go-Betweens singer-songwriter, Grant McLennan – to play these songs with her band for the first time, accompanied by string and horn players whose parts imbue her newest work with ear-catching vitality.

“I’m like a kid in a candy shop,” Lynn, 27, told The Australian with a grin earlier this week. “I just love going to festivals so much, and this is one where, if you work in music, you get that three-day pass and get to see (British headline band) Gorillaz and all of that – and then get to play.”

For Lynn, that means two days of catching as many great acts as she can – perhaps including major internationals such as The Strokes, Glass Animals and Kacey Musgraves, as well as Australian artists The Avalanches, Violent Soho and DMA’S – before taking to the stage at 4.15pm on the festival’s final day.

Having trod all over those sprawling grounds herself five years ago while filling her ears and mind with inspiring sounds, Lynn knows how important these events are for young music lovers – particularly for those who have been deprived of such experiences since early 2020.

“There’ll be people there that have never been to a festival,” said Lynn. “My cousin was 17 when we went into the pandemic; we’re still in it, but now he’s 19 and gets to go and camp with his mates, and be an adult, and I think it’s really cool to meet those audiences.”

Splendour in the Grass is held at North Byron Parklands from Friday to Sunday, with a “very high” chance of up to 35mm rainfall during the first two days.