Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
Between us, we've done many years of Splendour In The Grass so we though that it may be useful for us to impart our wisdom on the festival rookies. And, if you're not a rookie there's no harm in reading these either. We write them because we've all made some of these mistakes before.
Think It's The Middle Of Summer
The days at Splendour are usually beautiful if the rain stays away. You'll be lulled into a false sense of security but never forget it's the middle of winter. Once that sun goes the cold is going to sting you like a motherf***er. Getting out of the festival can be a very chilly experience in shorts, a skirt or a t-shirt. And yep, the cold feels the same after 1 beer or 20.
Wait Until You're Leaving To Buy A Bus Ticket
Once you leave those festival grounds you're going to be over the whole thing regardless of how good your day was. If you're getting the bus back into Byron Bay or somewhere of the like, make sure you grab yourself a bus ticket as you're walking into the festival. You're going to want to join those bus lines ASAP and waiting in a line to get a ticket before that is the best way to ensure you swear at a friend for zero reason.
Miss Kendrick Lamar
Yeah it's fun to be #indie but seeing the greatest rapper on earth at the greatest festival in the country is going to be an experience. He brings his A-game to festivals and he's never played Splendour before so it's likely to be even bigger.
Try And See As Much As You Can By Seeing Half Sets
The timetable is going to give you anxiety. This year boasts a massive lineup and the timetable is going to be clash city. Make up your mind and choose one. The hill to the amphitheatre is one hell of a climb and you're not going to want to run from set to set. It ruins two sets rather than allowing yourself to enjoy one from start to finish.
Photo by Cassandra Hannagan/WireImage
Sing DJ Otzi's Hey Baby With The Rest Of The Festival
People are going to sing DJ Otzi's Hey Baby as they're leaving the festival. You're going to be tempted to singalong. Don't. You know you're better than that and we believe in you.
Brave Woolworths In Byron Bay On The First Day
It's a nightmare of epic proportions. There are people everywhere shoveling litres of cheap soda into their trolleys and the 2 minute noodles sell out in seconds. Bring your supplies from elsewhere or risk feeling like you're lining up to buy a pair of Yeezys.
Start Uploading Your Insty Stories In Real Time
The pre-game Insty stories are really cute and the triple J Unearthed act looks great opening the mainstage but once the festival fills up the reception is going to drop. Don't leave those eager watchers at home waiting for your next move. Pro tip: take vids and photos and upload them when you're home. Yep, this sounds like the least important of the tips but you know this is going to be a concern of yours.
Wear Overalls Or Glitter Beards
Very last year, find something new. We hear plastic bags and straws are very in.
Miss Lorde, Khalid, Vampire Weekend, Girl Talk or Soccer Mommy
These guys are all playing the festival as an Australian exclusive. That means they're not going to be playing anywhere else in the country on this visit so they're going to be very special shows. It's Vampire Weekend's first festival set in years and Lorde is not scheduled to play many more shows this year at all. Don't miss out.
Be An Insensitive Dick
Splendour is so much fun when everybody is nice to each other. There's been so much important discourse recently about how to behave in crowds and you need to pay attention. Keep your hands to yourself, look out for anybody who looks like they feel unsafe and be careful what you say to others. Also, it's a great idea to stay away from anything that could be disrespectful to another culture. Bindis, Indian headdresses and the like are not for you if they're not a part of your culture.
Burn Out On The First Day
We don't even mean the first day of the festival. Thursday night is the danger zone. All your friends have arrived, you're all stocked up and ready to go. Don't go overboard. The festival is a marathon not a spring. Unless, you're well trained in the #SplendourBender and then go for your life.
