Every year, there's a few acts that you don't quite catch on the initial Splendour In The Grass line-up, but when you see them live, they become some of the best memories of the festival. Well, if you're not someone that likes to risk missing some of these acts, here are some of the acts you might have missed on the Splendour line-up, but you should totally be checking out come festival time.
HONNE - 2.45pm Sunday, the Mix Up Stage
HONNE have already dropped a couple of albums, but Splendour marks their first visit to Australia. The English electronic duo have been around since 2014, and dropped their second album, Love Me/Love Me Not in August last year. The band have been touring the album since, so come Splendour time, they'll have one hell of a live show ready.
Thelma Plum - 4.15pm Friday, GW McLennan Tent
July is set to be Thelma Plum's month. Having just dropped her debut album, Better In Blak, and smashed her Like A Version performance, topping it off with a killer Splendour set just makes sense. Thelma has been a staple name in the Australian music scene for a little while now, but with a swag of new songs in tow, this might be your last chance to see her on a stage that isn't the main one at a festival.
Dave - 5.30pm Friday, Mix Up Tent
First Skepta, then Stormzy, now Dave. The grime MC has slowly been building his already-impressive discography, and after releasing his debut album Psychodrama this year, he's been hailed as one of the UK's most important rappers. Given his growing fanbase, as well as the importance of his music in terms of message, Dave might be the most politically-charged performance you see all weekend.
Hatchie - 1.45pm Friday, GW McLennan Tent
Hatchie is the solo project of ex-Go Violets member Harriette Pilbeam, and while it's only a new project, it's certainly already turned some heads. Having just released debut album Keepsake, Splendour will be one of the first opportunities to hear songs from the album live, and it might also be the only time you get to catch her playing an early arvo festival set going forward.
Kwame - 2.45pm Saturday, Mix Up Tent
Migos, Skepta and AJ Tracy. They'd be solid additions to any festival, but they're also just some of the acts that Kwame has supported. While he's only released two EPs so far, he's become renowned for having one of the best live shows out of any rapper in Australia, and after performing at Splendour as the Triple J Unearthed winner in 2018, he did such a good job that he's been asked back as part of the main line-up.
Phony Ppl - 1.45pm Sunday, GW McLennan Tent
Phony Ppl may only have formed in 2008, but they've been hard at work, releasing six studio albums in that time, as well as honing their live show in the dive bars of New York City. They're a testament to hard work paying off, as apart from their Splendour performance, they'll also be playing the likes of Fuji Rock, Lovebox Festival and countless many more. Make sure you don't miss what's set to be one of the highlights of the festival.
The Beths - 2.15pm Sunday, Amphitheatre
Originating from across the pond, New Zealand four-piece The Beths are on a fast-track to stardom, and the title of best harmonisers in the business. Having released their second album Future Me Hates Me last year, and touring it ever since, the band comes to Splendour with a finely-honed live set that's sure to stick in your memory well after it's over.
Slowly Slowly - 1.00pm Sunday, Amphitheatre
If you're planning to see The Beths, get there a bit earlier and catch one of Australia's premier punk outfits, Slowly Slowly. Splendour marks the beginning of their Australian tour in support of their new track Jellyfish, their first music since their breakout album St. Leonards was released last year. If you're a fan of moshpits, then you won't want to miss this.
Little Simz - 4.00pm Saturday, Mix Up Stage
Rapper Little Simz is currently in the process of blowing up, and Splendour might just be the culmination of that for Australian fans. She's no stranger to festivals (hell, she even runs her own), so her live show will be on point - and having dropped third album Grey Area this year, she's got a lot of new music to play. She was last here in 2017, so don't wait until 2021 to catch Little Simz while she's on her rise to stardom.
Lastlings - 12.15pm Friday, Mix Up Stage
Lastlings, but not least, is Lastlings. The Australian brother-sister pop duo have slowly but surely been amassing a cult following, and a Splendour slot is just reward. The band has just played Coachella, too, so not only are they in festival form, but you've got a chance to prove Australian crowds are better than American ones!
So many people come back to Splendour each year because of their smaller acts, not just the headliners. If you're looking to get the most out of your ticket - or you just can't get enough of live music - then make sure you check out the acts above, before you settle in to catch the likes of Tame Impala, SZA, Childish Gambino and Chance The Rapper.
