9 Must See Acts at Splendour in the Grass 2014
24/04/2014
Byron Bay: the land of hippies, pristine beaches and the best festival Australia has to offer. Splendour in the Grass returns the 25 – 27 July bringing one of the most impressive line-ups we’ve seen yet. Here are 9 acts you’d be crazy to miss this year:
OUTKAST
Ever since they announced they were playing 40 festival dates in 2014 late last year, I’m pretty sure we all had an idea that Andre 3000 and Big Boi would be the headliners for Splendour. After their two polarising Coachella sets, and much speculation, it was leaked that the boys would be playing the Friday night. I think everyone breathed a sigh of relief which was immediately overtaken by excitement. This is gonna be one for the history books. After having written one of the best pop songs in history, being heralded as the two greatest rappers alive by many and discovering protégés such as Janelle Monae, you’d be stupid to miss this one. ICE COLD.
Songs to watch: Hey Ya!, B.O.B., Ms. Jackson, The Way You Move, Rosa Parks
LILY ALLEN
With her sass and sarcasm back in full force, the pop industry has never needed a Lily Allen comeback more than it does right now. The British pop starlet made a comeback after a four-year hiatus, birthing two children and vowing to quit music, with her provocative yet dead-on hit Hard Out Here, providing perfect commentary on the treatment of women in popular music. She actually didn’t believe she was a headliner, but she is, and we could not be more glad.
Songs to watch: Sheezus, Smile, The Fear, Alfie, Hard Out Here, Not Fair
THE PREATURES
After a phenomenal 2013 with the most unlikely hit of the year, Is This How You Feel?, the Sydney five-piece have been touring anywhere and everywhere but home. However, Splendour apparently marks their homecoming, and I think they are just as excited as you are. Scoring the 9th best song of last year, having one of the most infectious lead singers in recent memory, and making it in America, it’s time for the band to show us what they’ve learned after being away for so long
Songs to watch: Is This How You Feel?, Better Than It Ever Could Be, Manic Baby
CHVRCHES
Another band with a massive 2013, Scottish electro-pop act Chvrches has graced nearly every major festival stage in existence...except Splendour. They were hear in February for Laneway Festival, and were one of the best of the day. With charismatic firecracker Lauren Mayberry fronting the group, they’ll be belting out their pop smashes this year at Byron, and even if you haven’t listened to them before, you will fall in love. Guaranteed.
Read our review of The Bones of what you Believe here.
Songs to watch: Recover, The Mother We Share, We Sink, Gun, Science/Visions
DANNY BROWN
The hair of a lunatic, the teeth of a lunatic, and the laugh of a lunatic, Danny Brown’s second album Old was widely regarded as one of the best of 2013. Another artist who was here for Laneway, he has collaborated with rap greats such as Kendrick and A$AP. Danny Brown’s one of the new school rappers that are going to continue to kill it, and I for one am stoked his bringing his hilarious antics back to Australia.
Read our review of Old here.
Songs to watch: Dip, 25 Bucks, Wonderbread, Break It (Go)
GROUPLOVE
Another band that was in Australia this year already, Grouplove are often regarded as an act that possibly have more fun than the audience. After seeing them live, I realised that the band, collectively, were so into it and it really enhanced both the quality of their performing and the show in general. Their feel-good pop vibes are sure to be welcomed at this year’s Splendour.
Read our review of Spreading Rumours here.
Songs to watch: Ways to Go, Itchin’ on a Photograph, Tongue Tied, I’m With You
COURTNEY BARNETT
An Australian artist who never got much traction at home but killed it everywhere else, 26-year-old Melbourne singer/songwriter Courtney Barnett is renowned her witty, rambling lyrics, as if her songs are just one flow of whatever thoughts pop into her head. Combine that with her deadpan vocals that are completely devoid of emotion and you have one of the most interesting and surprisingly brilliant artists of the new age.
Songs to watch: Avant Gardener, Are You Looking After Yourself, Lance Jr.
SKY FERREIRA
The unlikely pop singer with a dark side, Sky Ferreira was here very recently for a one-off Sydney show, but did hint that she was going to be playing Splendour. She’s edgy, she’s cool, and she’s bound to bring the house down with her powerful voice and dance/rock fusion.
Read our review of Night Time, My Time here.
Songs to watch: I Blame Myself, You’re Not The One, Everything is Embarrassing
BALL PARK MUSIC
With three excellent albums under their funky belts, matched with an absolutely astounding live show, Ball Park Music are quite simply becoming legends of the contemporary Australian music scene. If you’re up for a lot of fun, then I highly suggest going to see these guys – they’re bound to be one of the unlikely stars of the entire festival.
Read our review of Puddinghead here.
Read our review of The Puddinghead Tour here.
Songs to watch: She Only Loves Me When I’m There, Fence Sitter, IFLY, It’s Nice To Be Alive