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| Photography courtesy of Splendour In The Grass |
31 July 2012
DISCLAIMER: Pre-empting the ensuing
eye-rolls upon seeing the plethora of live reviews scattering your news
feed, TMN have decided to recount the events of Splendour In The Grass Mud in list form.
TMN’s Splendour Awards*
Best Pre-Party
Not only did Triple J air live from the festival, they also threw a massive warm up event at The Northern Hotel for competition winners (in adorable costumes) and industry folk. The station hosted DJ sets by Last Dinosaurs, DZ Deathrays and Yacht Club DJs, and encouraged questionable dancing.
Not only did Triple J air live from the festival, they also threw a massive warm up event at The Northern Hotel for competition winners (in adorable costumes) and industry folk. The station hosted DJ sets by Last Dinosaurs, DZ Deathrays and Yacht Club DJs, and encouraged questionable dancing.
Best Stage Antic
At The Drive-In frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala kept a steaming kettle onstage, pouring tea between tracks
At The Drive-In frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala kept a steaming kettle onstage, pouring tea between tracks
Best Staging
Jack White takes the cake for this one. His closing performance on Day One saw his band change genders halfway through. White Stripes fans were even satisfied as Jack White performed a few peppered tracks from the duo's early albums and closed with Seven Nation Army.
Jack White takes the cake for this one. His closing performance on Day One saw his band change genders halfway through. White Stripes fans were even satisfied as Jack White performed a few peppered tracks from the duo's early albums and closed with Seven Nation Army.
Most Bizarre Fashion
A guy in a Hillsong T-shirt.
A guy in a Hillsong T-shirt.
Best Forum
The tent packed out for Wil Anderson’s Wil Does Parky forum (hosted in Michael Parkinson-style) to watch Billy Corgan talk about music’s current landscape, artist rights and Twitter. The Smashing Pumpkins frontman admitted: “If I light myself on fire you’ll click on my link more.”
The tent packed out for Wil Anderson’s Wil Does Parky forum (hosted in Michael Parkinson-style) to watch Billy Corgan talk about music’s current landscape, artist rights and Twitter. The Smashing Pumpkins frontman admitted: “If I light myself on fire you’ll click on my link more.”
Best Homemade Sign
At the Mix Up Tent for Azealia Banks a sign read: “I WANT TO EAT YOUR CUNT.”
At the Mix Up Tent for Azealia Banks a sign read: “I WANT TO EAT YOUR CUNT.”
Best On-Stage Spat
Although Azealia Banks’ staccato social commentary and hip swivels was the highlight of Day 3, the rapper did cut her set short at just 25 minutes, citing faulty sound equipment.
Although Azealia Banks’ staccato social commentary and hip swivels was the highlight of Day 3, the rapper did cut her set short at just 25 minutes, citing faulty sound equipment.
Best New Band
Triple J Unearthed band Ball Park Music drew a healthy crowd who seemed to know all the lyrics from 2011 debut album Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs. When the Brisbane six-piece performed final track All I Want Is You, even the worms in the mud swooned.
Triple J Unearthed band Ball Park Music drew a healthy crowd who seemed to know all the lyrics from 2011 debut album Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs. When the Brisbane six-piece performed final track All I Want Is You, even the worms in the mud swooned.
Best Between Track Banter
When Beth Ditto calls her earring a “little slut” for breaking and dubs a crowd member “the Kate Moss of Oz,” after the first song, it’s clear Gossip were miles ahead of any other act at this year’s edition. Our favourite quote though, came after a fan pulled down their shorts near the front and Ditto said, “That was the first time I saw balls and a scrotum in thirteen years.”
When Beth Ditto calls her earring a “little slut” for breaking and dubs a crowd member “the Kate Moss of Oz,” after the first song, it’s clear Gossip were miles ahead of any other act at this year’s edition. Our favourite quote though, came after a fan pulled down their shorts near the front and Ditto said, “That was the first time I saw balls and a scrotum in thirteen years.”
Most Endearing Band
Despite crippling technical difficulties, Metric were tenacious and graceful. Emily Haines and co. walked offstage, regrouped, and returned with three more songs including a sizzling guitar solo from Haines during Gold Guns Girls.
Despite crippling technical difficulties, Metric were tenacious and graceful. Emily Haines and co. walked offstage, regrouped, and returned with three more songs including a sizzling guitar solo from Haines during Gold Guns Girls.
Splendour Surprise Act
The eight African-American brothers (and sons of trumpeter Phil Cohran) that make up Hypnotic Brass Ensemble not only caused jaws to drop into the mud with their epic horn heat, but their infused hip hop sent them to heights far beyond the marquee they performed under.
The eight African-American brothers (and sons of trumpeter Phil Cohran) that make up Hypnotic Brass Ensemble not only caused jaws to drop into the mud with their epic horn heat, but their infused hip hop sent them to heights far beyond the marquee they performed under.
Best Onstage Tussle With Security
Chicago band Hypnotic Brass Ensemble also take out this award after a zealot climbed his way onstage. The brothers would have happily let him weave and dance around them - when two security guards tried to drag him off a tug-of-war proceeded with one band member.
Chicago band Hypnotic Brass Ensemble also take out this award after a zealot climbed his way onstage. The brothers would have happily let him weave and dance around them - when two security guards tried to drag him off a tug-of-war proceeded with one band member.
Best Artist I’d Never Heard Of
Michael Kiwanuka. The British soul singer appeared humbled at the G.W McLennan tent as festival-goers swayed and hugged their way through his delightful compositions and sang along when he covered Jimi Hendrix’s Waterfall.
Michael Kiwanuka. The British soul singer appeared humbled at the G.W McLennan tent as festival-goers swayed and hugged their way through his delightful compositions and sang along when he covered Jimi Hendrix’s Waterfall.
Best Dressed
Anyone who’s heard the name Gotye could have guessed this one. Kimbra (see above) looked like the kind of doll you’d treasure as kid (assuming the males reading this were especially effeminate).
Anyone who’s heard the name Gotye could have guessed this one. Kimbra (see above) looked like the kind of doll you’d treasure as kid (assuming the males reading this were especially effeminate).
Splendour MVP
Lana Del Rey was a big reason most made the trek to Splendour this year; after cancelling her promotional visit in 2011 and the controversy regarding her live ability clogging the Internet, a lot was riding on this set. The self-professed starlet did not disappoint, she smiled her way through our screams as she crooned her way through hits like Video Games, Blue Jeans, Born To Die and even a cover of Nirvana’s Heart Shaped Box.
Lana Del Rey was a big reason most made the trek to Splendour this year; after cancelling her promotional visit in 2011 and the controversy regarding her live ability clogging the Internet, a lot was riding on this set. The self-professed starlet did not disappoint, she smiled her way through our screams as she crooned her way through hits like Video Games, Blue Jeans, Born To Die and even a cover of Nirvana’s Heart Shaped Box.
Best Pop Up
The Gyuto Monks of Tibet graced the Global Village to bless the festival, and anyone in need of a spiritual cleansing.
The Gyuto Monks of Tibet graced the Global Village to bless the festival, and anyone in need of a spiritual cleansing.
* No physical awards have been prepared nor do we intend on making them.
Overheard Words
“You’re the biggest douche I’ve seen today.” – A police officer to a man wearing a Superman costume lying in ankle-deep mud.
“Can we come in early tomorrow and go shopping?”
“Do you want to feel something amazing?” - A guy rubbing his Elmo beanie on girls’ faces.
“I’m fuuuuuuuccckkkkkkeeed.” – 50% of Splendour In The Grass
Splendour In Numbers
8 – the number of six-strong police teams making the rounds each day
48 - the above numbers, mutliplied for your convenience.
160 - marquees
350 - temporary toilets
12 - km of fencing
70 - temporary site sheds
12.6 - km of power cable
44 - food stalls
100 - market stalls
800 - artist catering meals
9 - bars
6150 - bottles of water in band riders
48 - the above numbers, mutliplied for your convenience.
160 - marquees
350 - temporary toilets
12 - km of fencing
70 - temporary site sheds
12.6 - km of power cable
44 - food stalls
100 - market stalls
800 - artist catering meals
9 - bars
6150 - bottles of water in band riders
TMN Report Card
The return to Byron Bay for Splendour’s 2012 event was
undoubtedly successful. We may have been subjected to rain, hail and
shine, but promoters were quick to mend the grounds and there were
enough undercover areas to harbour the masses.
Despite general whispers wishing it had been at
Queensland’s Woodfordia for another year, the calibre of acts, perfect
running times and the festival’s set up made for a smooth event, with
many of the smiling faces promising to return to the site next year.
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