It’s that time of the year, where the Splendour In The Grass rumour mill is in overdrive. After last year’s success, headlined by the likes of Lorde, Vampire Weekend, Kendrick Lamar and more, Splendour has a lot to live up to, but given that that’s the case every year, we’re quietly confident that it’s going to be another bumper year.

Here’s who we’re expecting to be sitting at the pointy end of the bill come next Wednesday, when the lineup is set to be announced. 

Essentially Confirmed

Dave 

Speaking to triple j, Dave confirmed that he’d be in Australia in July, saying, "I'll pass through as soon as you guys are willing to have me. In July, we’ll do this again in person." After receiving rave reviews at Falls Festival as a relatively unknown performer, it makes sense for Dave to return given the hype surrounding his new album, Psychodrama.

Quite Likely

Flume

With new music released recently, and plenty more to come, it makes sense for Flume to return to Splendour In The Grass. Having already played the festival back in 2016, when he introduced the audience to the next wave of Australian stars (including Vera Blue, Baro, Remi and more), you should expect to see the Sydney producer performing to what could be his biggest crowd yet.

read more: Why The Best Thing About Flume's New Mixtape Is His Choice Of Collaborators

Tame Impala

In the same boat as Flume. With the recently released single, Patience, you’d be expecting a new album soon – especially given the fact that Kevin and co. are playing Coachella and Lollapalooza. A homecoming gig at Splendour in the grass would be poetic, given the hype is at an all-time high – I mean, how good was Patience!

James Blake

James Blake is a Splendour favourite, having already appeared at the festival in 2013 and 2016. It’s been three years since he played, coincidentally the gap between his first two performances at the festival. He’s announced tour dates for his latest album, Assume Form, but there’s nothing locked in around Splendour time.

Travis Scott

Travis Scott recently collaborated with James Blake, so getting them together at the same festival would be an absolute treat for Australian audiences. Add to that the fact that Australia loved his smash album from last year, ASTROWORLD, and it makes sense for Travis Scott to fill the hip-hop niche that Splendour seems to have each year. Who wouldn’t want to be part of a Splendour-sized mosh to SICKO MODE?

Fairly Likely

The Chemical Brothers

The iconic dance duo are preparing to release their new album, No Geography, next month, with a stack of dates to support it. They’ve been announced as a headliner for Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival, which often sees acts shared with Splendour, and vice versa. You’d be expecting an Australian tour in July, with a Splendour-sized gig to be the centrepiece. 

Childish Gambino

Arguably, the biggest artist in the list – and one that makes a lot of sense. A Splendour headliner-sized performance would cement himself as one of the best to ever do it in a lot of Australians’ eyes, and after the cancelled tour late last year, it would definitely make it up to those who missed out. Gambino seems to be appearing on more and more line-ups worldwide, but nothing has been announced yet for Splendour weekend. We can only hope that the star musician is keen on making a trip Down Under.

Janelle Monáe

Australians have been clamouring for the chance to see Miss Monáe for years now, and this might just be the year. After releasing hit after hit, she’s been booked to play Fuji Rock Festival, which, as previously mentioned, shares a fair few acts with Splendour. The last time Janelle Monae was in Australia, she didn’t actually get to perform – so it’s understandable Australians have been waiting for a make-up tour for a while now.

Low Chance

SOPHIE

Doesn’t have any dates beyond July 7th, and after cancelling her appearances at FOMO Festival, seems like a left-field choice that would suit Splendour In The Grass. Plus, given her recent collaborations with Flume, it makes sense to capitalise on an Australian audience that might have been introduced to their music for the first time. Would suit the Mix Up stage closing a Saturday night to perfection.

Definitely Not Playing

RUFUS DU SOL

During an Instagram Story Q&A, the band confirmed they’d be playing “elsewhere” during July this year, so you can cross them off your list. Plus, they recently announced an Australian tour, so you can catch them elsewhere anyway.

As happens every year, there’s a lot of speculation going around (and even a fake poster or two). However, Splendour always manages to catch people out with a couple of surprises – so it’ll be interesting to see who is announced and who isn’t come next Wednesday!