It’s been 10 years since SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS debuted in Byron Bay. Today, the festival wrapped up after three magnificent days at the beautiful site of Woodfordia in the QLD Sunshine Coast hinterland.
Featuring more than 80 of Australia’s and the world’s hottest artists and DJs, quality music acts alongside quirky arts and counter-culture this weekend has seen a spectacular collection of awesome artists from around the globe leave a permanent mark on the hearts and dancing soles of all 32,000 ecstatic music fans who heard and saw. With weary joy and tears of sadness at it’s end we reflect on a collection of new tales from the Amphitheatre, Mix Up and G.W. McLennan stages now permanently added to the pages of SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS history.
On Friday, Splendour welcomed back The Gyuto Monks who blessed the beautiful surrounds and set a tone that carried its way through a divine weekend. As the sun shone, locals Money For Rope, Skipping Girl Vinegar and Violent Soho, got Splendour 2010 off to a cracking start. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club took the stage as the sun went down and set a bench mark of musical force, with a set that built and built in intensity leaving punters wide-eyed and blown away. It was during Temper Trap’s performance that the crowd got their first taste of what has become a Splendour tradition – the guest appearance. Mumford and Sons joined the stage and during the closing set by Ben Harper, INXS drummer Jon Farris, took to the skins for a gorgeous coming together fuelling patriotic pride. The tradition continued across the weekend with Mumford and Sons welcoming new friends Passion Pit, Boy and Bear and Julia Stone onto the stage on Sunday for a beautiful family hoedown that had the brimming amphitheatre stomping their feet as one.
Across the three incredible days there were many more moments etched into the mind of Australian music history. LCD Sound System, took the roof off the Mix Up tent on Friday elevating dance levels to a new high and warming punters up for Scissor Sisters who followed soon after. As the crowd heated up inside their winter woollies the band got (almost) naked encouraging the collective crowd to do likewise, whilst earlier in the day Midlake played through a divine set that will no doubt up cardigan sales for months to come.
Saturday, Delphic dished out an incredible high-energy set that didn’t falter for a second strengthening the faith in their flock and converting the unconverted. Over at the Amphitheatre Operator Please took to the massive crowd fearlessly, wooing all who sat before them with both their sound and their stunning hair. The buzz throughout the day though was for Florence. As she took to the stage with The Machine, the amphitheatre bulged with anticipation; Florence glowing in stunning flowing silver fabric that, along with her heavenly voice, cemented the notion that she is nothing less than a fallen angel. Few could have followed the act and survived. But The Strokes delivered the master..ahem..stroke to an unforgettable day of live music, Julian and his band of merry hairy men playing one faultless danceable, shakeable, swayable hit after another.
As the sun shone powerfully on the third day of Splendour’s very first three day event The G.W. McLennan stage shimmied to the sounds of lovable locals Boy and Bear. It was fitting weather as the sunny sounds of LA happy-mood makers Surfer Blood took to the amphitheatre like fish to the gentle seas. Broken Social Scene brought heartfelt beauty to the G W McLennan stage and Passion Pit had the entire vertical slant of the Amphitheatre moving and jumping. As this epic three day journey sped toward its end far too quickly Mumford and Sons had grown men swaying arm in arm as together singing song after song word for word. Richard Ashcroft’s voice gave out and his performance was cut short as a result. As things wrapped up, Aussie lads Empire of the Sun closed the Mix Up Tent looking as equally impressive as they sounded, and Splendour in the Grass concluding with another tradition – a band that brings the generations together – in 2010 it was The Pixies that helped us blow out the candles.
With Queensland’s largest provider of first aid services, Emergency First Aid Services, on board to provide around the clock care for patrons, Stephen Barnes (Emergency First Aid Services Representative) said, “Most treatments were for minor complaints. A team of doctors, registered nurses and paramedics were on hand to care for a number of medical conditions that presented throughout the weekend, and we liaised with the Ambulance Service of QLD for patients who required further medical treatment.”
“We’re thrilled with our first Splendour at Woodfordia. We’ve had a really great time this year and despite some teething problems and heavy traffic that was expected, we’re pleased to say that feedback on the event has been fantastic. We were blessed with great sunshine filled weather, a great vibe and spectacular performances making it one cracking weekend! We’d also like to thank the local community and residents for their patience and support during the festival. Here’s to 2011.” – Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco
So as the sun sets on Splendour at Woodford for the first time, we say goodbye to another year of incredible music and fun in the sun and in the words of Mumford And Sons ‘this is one of the best festival line-ups we have seen…’
See you next year!