Splendour in the Grass, Australia’s premier three day winter music festival relocated to the new (potentially permanent) site of North Byron Parklands this year, the traditional home to the Bundjalung Nation which is a site nothing short of immaculate. Gum trees tickling the clouds line each pathway and as you stroll the terrain you feel as if this coming together in some way represents a renaissance of a pagan festival that may have happened some centuries ago deep in the forests of some central-european oasis; the sharing of corn and brussel sprouts swapped for music and dance moves.
The 13th year showcased a diverse range of musicians to tantalise the ear drums of a plethora of humans ready to revel, dance and celebrate. Headliner James Blake’s intensively beautiful, bass heavy magic (that makes your whole body resonate) melted souls on Sunday and he showed the crowd how technical difficulties could not draw away from his immensely creative and unqiuely beautiful sound. This man knows how to have you float off into bliss over and over again right through until you awake the next morning. Thank you James, super-radalistic-extra-super-delicious is an understatement!
Hearing Chet Faker live, who I’ve been a fan of for sometime now, exceeded all expectations. I danced and and smiled as Chet brought the crowd into arms up, hand-clapping, feet-stomping parades several times throughout his performance. The end of his set took me back to Berlin listening to Nicolas Jaar, where Chet like Nicolas showed his technical expertise - and solid use of gadgets and gizmos - to create a completely inspiring, unqiue, far-out wacky and all out awesome sound to completely shock the crowd into silence...and then roar them into applause.
Cold War Kids and Haim were nothing short of spectacular. Nathan Willett of Cold War Kids is a captivating watch - as he throws himself into his vocals you really see and feel the energy that has seen this band become so successful over the years. The three Haim sisters were equally impressive, as were their drum solos, and you couldn’t help but feel the gratitude and respect when one belts over the microphone, “I’m going to remember this forever." Touching and great to know the musicians are having as good a time as we were.
Then there was the time when I found my legs had become bricks, but still my soul shook and grooved and danced itself into bliss throughout Snakadaktal. These five young Melbournites were so peacefully melancholic, yet still a sense of bouncy positivity oozed through their music. Graciously mesmerising, these fellas were grateful to be playing their music to the crowd, who stood in awe and then cheered in awesome respect at the end of each tune.
At times I found myself with the “lets just go this way” attitude and a few stand out results were Lydia and the next day Taya, jacking out some upbeat, bouncy techno at sunset over at the Tipi Forest. The sky lit up and the well designed stage came alive with its abundance of quirky attire that set the crowd into beautiful, wild fits of fun. The other standout stumple-upon was Appleonia. Jessica Chapnik Khan resonates radness and if you get a chance to delve in her musical presence or her latest project ‘Shattering For You’ you're sure to find some mystical magic.
Yolanda Be Cool filled the space between bands with upbeat, rhythmic house that bought me back to Ibiza island days. Alison Wonderland and her all out cool vibe had the same thing going on during these periods, totally vibing the crowd with her unique selection of quality tunes reaching from a broad spectrum of electronic sounds. On the more techno-oriented tip, Canyons and their delicious, vocal-filled techno had me in full steam. These two fellas have got some seriously tasty vinyl up their sleeves.
The plethora of other artists that bought deliciousness to my ears was so far reaching that I could write a novel about the tastiness felt throughout the occasion. From the local Byronite DJ Groovyland on the World Stage, to Mitzi in the Red Bull Tent, to Ben Lee and his posse singing about gratitude - there certainly was something for everyone.
Till next year, when the grass will be once again splendoured with an array of vibes to keep the Northern Rivers of NSW as one of the prime and premium locations to lose yourself, find a friend and frollick frivolously. Over, out, and damn that was fun!