The Music | theMusic.com.au | Australia’s Premier Music News & Reviews Website
Splendour In The Grass

That's All Folks

Well that’s about it for Splendour In The Grass 2012, we’d had some laughs, shed some tears, danced to the music and swore at the mud. We’re exhausted, would like to sleep in our own beds, shower in our own bathrooms but we’ll see you all again for the same thing next year.

Right now though, we’re going to try and find an after party that we can talk our way into and given that what happens at the after party stays at the after party, we won’t be putting up live coverage for that. (At least not yet, buy us a drink and we’ll tell you everything.)

Stay tuned to this new Festivals section of the website, we’ll be coverage all the other major festivals in the country in similar fashion to how we’ve done this weekend. We’ll see you there.

Relive the weekend by scrolling down below…

BLOG: Mitch Knox wraps up his final day.

I considered hanging around for Angus Stone's set, then remembered that I actually needed to stay awake to drive home, so thought better of it and departed.

Read it here!

Kate Miller-Heidke Feels 13 Again

Crowd Gets Nude For Azealia Banks; Kooks Stopped While Pole Climber Gets Down

Azealia Banks gets the crowd going so much some of the crowd have ditch their threads and are nude yep really nude. Crowd lost there shit for 212. The Kooks have just been ask to stop while they get a guy to get down from the pole his just climbed.... his down and The Kooks are back

Not Short On Talent but Short On Set

Ball Park Music's Manager Injures Billy Corgan

Ben Preece, manager of bands likeBall Park MusicandHungry Kids Of Hungaryhas had something of an altercation withSmashing Pumpkins' frontmanBilly Corganbackstage.

 

Spotted: Rugby League Players

Nate Miles and Greg Bird have been spotted in the Gold Bar.

One for the trainspotters.

Sound Cuts Out At Supertop During Metric

Roadies madly trying to diagnose the problem. There's been no sound or visual for a little while now.

UPDATE: And they're back, but Metric have lost a chunk of their audience.

Mad Hatter's Tea Party At Global Village

Insta-Review: Fun.

The people have turned out in droves for New York's Fun., and they start off strongly with the dance-vibe ignition of One Foot, barely pausing for breath before plunging into the hyper-kinesis of Walking The Dog.

Granted, frontman Nate Ruess' facial expressions are almost farcically sensual during Why Am I the One? but unintentional physical hilarity aside, the six members on stage are clearly seasoned performers, and they bring a party-down, good-time feel to the masses with such a casual air that it's a little hard not to hate them a tiny bit for being such talented folks.

All the Pretty Girls goes off with a bang, and to Ruess' credit, the man really can wail. Ex-Straylight Run member and Fun.'s touring drummer, Will Noon, is rocking the sleaziest moustache of the festival, but he's an animal on the skins, while guitarist Jack Antonoff plugs fellow New Yorkers Friends with his choice of attire and even joins in for some tom-pounding during Barlights, which descends into unchecked cacophony at its conclusion, in the best kind of way.

It's a surprisingly uplifting performance, and suddenly their meteoric rise makes a little more sense as they demonstrate a depth that isn't obvious from their ultra-inoffensive mega-hit We Are Young, the popularity of which has always been a bit mystifying. Speaking of that little ditty, it makes a natural appearance late in the set, much to the packed tent's audible delight - the response and sing-along are nothing short of massive.

Ruess makes multiple references to how much he loves Australia throughout their performance, and it's clear by the time they wrap up - if the sea of smiles leaving the Supertop is any indication - that it's certainly not a one-way affair.

- Mitch Knox

Insta-Review: Yuksek

Yuksek has a three-quarter full Mix Up tent going nuts. Extraball never lets up, every time the beat kicks back in at full force it has a little more power.

The Edge brings things down a little - though its cute little keyboard hook is pretty irresistible - and Off The Wall shows that crossover is well and truly Yuksek's game.

The light show is simple but stunning and it sounds fantastic, but I end up leaving before the end as everyone else in the tent is far better looking than I and I begin to feel self-conscious.

I announce my intention to leave to my friend, to which he replies "Thank fuck!". Make of that what you will.

- Dan Condon

Reaction To Fun.? "Fucking Nuts"

A bit of an unknown quantity live (for Australian audiences at least), one had to question why they choseWe Are Youngas their lead single as we're introduced to the rest of their set.

 

Heard The New Bloc Party Track?

New album Four out next month, set at Splendour last night, this is the second single from the album.

Getting Familiar With The Environment

This lad thought it would be a good idea to jump into the bushes.

 

Husky Keep It Tight As Django Let Loose

The Queen Crashes Splendour

Fresh from jumping out of a plane with James Bond for the Olympics opening ceremony, Queen Elizabeth (and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh) have crashed Splendour this year.

Celline Falls In Love With Lana

But then she discovers The Dirty Three... Read her report here.

This is not Celline, but newsdesk reckons it wasn't far off her expression... Pic by Stephen Booth

Insta-Review: Zulu Winter

London-based indie rock quartet Zulu Winter provide an energetic lift for the early afternoon, their atmospheric, infectious tunes a welcome sound to help combat the inevitable onset of fatigue that emanates from their barely moving, but still obviously engaged, audience.

We Should Be Swimming is an early highlight, and vocalist Will Daunt does everything he can to not only win our hearts with song, but speech as well: "When we first arrived, it was like Glastonbury two years ago, with the mud... But this [today] is it. This is the nicest festival we've ever been to in the world."

That sentiment seems to instill a bit more physical enthusiasm, as folks start to more obviously groove along to the aptly titled Let's Move Back to Front. Daunt continues with the good natured interaction, telling us this is the first festival at which he's come away sunburnt, to which - for some reason - the audience applauds.

"Why are you clapping?" he asks. "That's not cool!"

It's all good fun though, even if the band gives off the sense that they're capable of so much more, composition-wise. Still, they do what they do really goddamn well, and by the time they finish up with the slow burn of People That You Must Remember - a point by which their crowd has finally swollen to a more than respectable size - it's hard to heed the Stark family words of "Winter is coming", because Winter came, Winter saw, and Winter conquered.

- Mitch Knox

Where Is Everyone? Zulu Winter Are On

They're brinigng the good times to the Supertop, it's a pity so few people have shown up.

Soaking up sun?

 

#FuckYeahAustralia

Insta-Review: Gossling

For a little lady, Gossling (aka Helen Croome) packs one hell of a voice.

Thankfully, the tunes that back said vocals are adequately subdued for the time of day and point in the festival at which she's playing. Even though some folks are probably yet to leave their campsite, plenty have made the effort to show their support for the talented singer/songwriter (and her backing band, who definitely deserve a mention for their complementary but unobtrusive presence).

Her Like A Version cover of Ou Est Le Swimming Pool's 2009 hit Dance The Way I Feel is a standout moment of upbeat jive in a set otherwise laced with sultry, hip-swinging, grab-someone-you-love-and-sway-the-hangovers-away-style good-timery. Croome is endearingly appreciative in her acknowledgements to the crowd - even a little funny, as she tells one suggestive punter, "YOU sing the Woolies song!" Her natural finisher, Wild Love, is a pitch-perfect conclusion for the pint-sized performer, and a lovely way to ease into the final day of festivities.

- Mitch Knox

Hits, Shits And We've No Idea How Day Two Ended

HIT LIST:

1. Everything about The Dirty Three
2. Seeing Mudhoney rip through Hate The Police as a tent half-packed with Lana Del Rey fans look on
3. Less mud!
4. Seeing a Pantera flag
5. Learning that Here We Go Magic are a really good live band

SHIT LIST:

1. Eleven dollars for a schnitzel sandwich
2. Getting to Tame Impala too late to get a decent spot, thus not really enjoying the set
3. My head this morning
4. Band Of Skulls becoming rather boring after a few songs
5. Look, I just don't get Miike Snow

With great sets from Here We Go Magic, Mudhoney and The Dirty Three, and marvelous conditions in high to watch them, Saturday delivered enough to keep me interested without blowing me away.

I'm not sure how the night ended, but for some reason I get the feeling it involved a fair amount of Smirnoff Black. So this afternoon I'm going to seek Powerade and grease before strolling to the festival grounds for the final time in 2012.

To speak honestly, there's not very much music I'm gagging to see today; Azealia Banks is the act I'm anticipating most, though I'm not even convinced she'll be any good. I will watch Smashing Pumpkins to cop a nostalgia fix, I'll investigate Father John Misty (though I'm skeptical) and I'll try a few new dance moves at Metric. For the rest of the time I'll keep an open mind and hope I stumble over something amazing.

I also intend on eating more than once, drinking less and going to bed as soon as I get home; let's see how that pans out, shall we?

- Dan Condon

Gossling Kicks Off Day Three

Mitch Knox Wraps Up Day Two With "$70 Gumboots"

Self confessed "wanky music snob" Mitch Knox wraps up Day Two proceedings, angular, technical math rock and an underwhelming Bloc Party.

It's here now!

More Great Live Pics from Stephen Booth

Our Splendour gallery is growing with Bloc Party, Lana Del Rey, Tame Impala (to name a few) just added.

 

 

 

Day Two: That's A Wrap

Well that's it for today, we'll have wrap-up blogs bright and early and be on the ground again for day three.

Insta-Review: Dirty Three

 Pic by Stephen Booth

Curtains shroud The Dirty Three as they close out the GW McLelland stage, and they waste no time launching into a truly iconic set. Ringleader Warren Ellis flails about like a malevolent scarecrow, ranting about writing emails to dead idols, opening sushi shops after discovering Buddhism, and Gina Rhinehart and Bono's pie shop.

Such madness never supersedes the trio's majestic dynamics though, as they swing between new tracks like the squalling The Pier to old classics like Restless Waves and the haunting maelstrom that informs Some Summers They Drop Like Flies. Whilst Ellis remains the devilish frontman with the most abused violin ever whittled, the growing prominence of Jim White on the skins increases the impact of their songs - he is undoubtedly one of the most underrated drummers. Mick Turner, as always, remains their core, ensuring that their wilder moments stay in check.

Signing off with a blistering version of Sue's Last Ride, Dirty Three enforce their iconic place in Australian - nay, global - musical history, the dotted line signed in their own feverish blood.

- Brendan Telford

We've Got A Felling We've Found A Highlight

Booze Bus Blitz In Byron Tonight

Police have set up booze and drug busses in Byron tonight.

Alternative transport anyone?

"Can we smoke in the bath?"
"Absolutely."

Bands? What bands?

Packed at the Cobra Kai DJ sets, Smirnoff cocktail bar.

Singing In The Snow

Insta-Review: Mudhoney

It's weird seeing Mudhoney play to a bunch of Lana Del Rey fans... They do their all-in psych up onstage - which they claim ruins the mystique - and we wonder whether that's die to that young lady's plants taking up space.

Anyway, as they always do, the grunge legends dominate. They give so goddamn much on stage and deliver a set littered with classics.

Sweet Young Thing Ain't Sweet No More kinda seems pertinent, there might be a few sweet young things in the crowd tonight. Good Enough slays, as does You Got It, but it's weird that the crowd don't even know the chorus to Touch Me I'm Sick. Oh well.

Suck You Dry starts sloppy but is fucking wonderful and In N Outta Grace works so well in a festival stage with its classic breakdown.

Mark Arm ditches the guitar for I'm Now, just in case anyone questioned his frontman capabilities.

There's a mishap in the last ten minutes that stops the band in their tracks, but they power through Arm takes the piss out of bands calling for the crowd to clap along with the music and they close on a ripping version of The Dicks' Hate The Police.

A fucking killer rock show that has hopefully converted a few who weren't even here to see them.

- Dan Condon

Lana Del Rey Makes For A Jealous Girlfriend

Lana Del Rey Is Smokin'

Our blogger Celine Narini texts from Splendour:

8.48pm - "Lana Del Rey is smoking on stage. Girls are going nuts."

One minute later - "Smoking meaning smoking cigarettes."

What's That Smell?

Another Batch From Photographer Stephen Booth

Including Shihad and Band Of Skulls.

 

Celebrant: "Go Forth And Get It On"

Billy Corgan: I Used To Have A Sort Of Arrogance

Though he doesn't look to have aged much, Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan's transformation from self-obsessed wanker to an artist deeply aware and grateful for his position of privilege comes as welcome news during Wil Anderson's Wil Does Parky Q&A at the Forum. A keen fan from teenage years, Anderson guides the conversation from the circus history of Corgan's wrestling interest, to discovering that although the '90s rock icon enjoyed getting Rolling Stone covers and Grammy awards, it's "Those pure moments on stage where you just get that connection" that floats his boat most these days. "I used to have a sort of arrogance... But now I have an appreciation of the audience," Corgan admitted. On the reason for his change of attitude, Corgan said, "I fell back in love with rock'n'roll... I got back to the same guy who made demos in his bedroom."
- Tyler McLoughlan

Seek Out Seekae

Seekae at SITG pic by Mitch Knox

Our blogger Celline Narinli reports: "Seekae are absolutely mesmerising... and playing new material."

Our mad tweeter: "Seriously bands sans vocalists are the new black #seekae #sitg"

DZ To The Rescue

Day Two Pics From Stephen Booth

Bleeding Knees Club pic by Stephen Booth

Includes Saturday afternoon images of Bleeding Knees Club (above), Mosman Adler and Last Dinosaurs.

Head here to see them all

Splendour In The Hammock

SITG 2012 Hammock

This hammock hangs in the scaffolding of the Supertop stage and someone seems to be snoozing in it. Nice view from up there?

Insta-Review: Here We Go Magic

Here We Go Magic launch straight into the deep groove of Make Up Your Mind, the band locking in nice and tight.

Hard To Be Close follows, sounding a lot more open and almost freeform; both these elements work as well as each other and both equally showcase the sensational rhythm section who lay down strong and complex grooves for the guitars and keys to colour.

The funk-inspired guitar interplay of I Believe In Action is a definite set highlight, the only downer being that I see two young girls literally dragged away by security midway through.

The peppier songs work better for mine, but the crowd  -of a mere 200 or so - lap it all up. Though Over The Ocean and A Different Ship, almost '80s soft rock kind of fare, work surprisingly well.

Collector brings the biggest cheer from the dedicated few, it's a great song, no doubt, but it doesn't feel as inspired as the majority of the songs delivered in their fine set this afternoon. How Do I Know is similarly simple, but more fully proves their ability to keep things simple, after a largely technically proficient set. Very pleasant stuff indeed.
- Dan Condon

Insta-Review: Last Dinosaurs

Last Dinosaurs at SITG 2012 Pic by Stephen Booth

Pic by Stephen Booth

Brisbane boys Last Dinosaurs are not the sort of band to waste time, launching straight into enthusiastically received jangle of Time And Place, which allows nary a booty to stay still with its catchy hooks and slow-groove outro. Far from their humble beginnings, the quartet proves without a doubt that they belong on a festival main stage as they expertly deliver earworm upon earworm, much to the delight of the utterly packed Supertop audience. They're not ungrateful, either, acknowledging this "is the best crowd we've played to for a while" before dropping the easy drive of Satin - it's kind of hard to tell what part of that sentence the audience is cheering loudest for, much to their credit. I Can't Help You is a standout, as are their now-staple cover of Spiller's Groovejet (If This Ain't Love) and infectious original Andy. Old favourite Honolulu makes a late appearance, but honestly, next to newer content such as super hook-filled closer Zoom, they could be forgiven for dropping it from their set at this point. It's a song from pretty early days, and they're a million years away from that standard now. Eh? EH?! Don't worry, I'll see myself out.
- Mitch Knox

Insta-Review: Cast Of Cheers

Cast Of Cheers at SITG 2012

Jesus Christ, the Irish produce some fantastic bands. Hailing from the same country that gave us amazing acts such as Adebisi Shank and Marvin's Revolt - and taking cues from both, moreso than from the oft-compared Foals (take note, triple j) - Dublin-based four-piece The Cast Of Cheers are no exception, winning us over early with their dexterous, technical guitar work, good-natured banter and infectious enthusiasm. The easy drive of Human Elevator sends hips across the tent into an involuntary sway, as mouths curl upwards into helpless smiles. Party times abound throughout, though, and even the most elitist of math rock/pop fans (ahem) can't stay too snobbish watching the churning sea of appreciative bodies in action. Their immensely popular Family - by no means their strongest song - is a hit with the punters, as is their deliciously groovy finisher, the name of which escapes me right now (what am I, an encyclopaedia of song titles? Cut me some slack here). These boys can go home with heads held high for a set that is nothing short of joyous, triumphant, and unforgettable. Smiles and shamrocks all round. God bless the Irish.
- Mitch Knox

Last Dinasours Getting ready to Hit The Stage

How's the gumboots

Insta-Review: Wolf & Cub

The hour may be early and the crowd might be smallish, but the dual-drum-toting Wolf & Cub are attacking our eardrums in the best way possible, audible speaker crackle and occasional feedback spike notwithstanding. Hey, it's still early, and the sound guys are probably still coming out of yesterday's fog. No big deal. Wolf & Cub drop old favourites and some new material, much to the delight of those in attendance - the number of whom spikes dramatically in the space of two songs. For their first Splendour ever, this band sure carries an air of professionalism that some veteran acts would do well to learn from. Tremendous stuff.
- Mitch Knox

Splendour Advice For Getting Through Day 2

Beyond The Main Stage

Just to remind folks there's actually a buskers' stage as well as all the big fancy acts! Lovely countrified guitar and banjo work from Mick McHugh...

Day 1 Splendour pics Jack White and Kimbra to name a few!

 

Hits, Shit And What we're Looking forward To On Day 2

HIT LIST:

1. Pond being far more amazing than I could have expected.
2. Michael Kiwanuka opening with I'll Be Along; such a warm and graceful introduction.
3. Hearing no one, at any stage, say “Splendour In The Mud”.
4. ATDI showing up and playing a full set.
5. Jack White sounding three times better than The White Stripes ever did in the live arena.

SHIT LIST:

1. Not wearing a jumper.
2. Douchebags who kick mud at people.
3. Forgetting to eat.
4. Ruining my goddamn shoes.
5. Constantly trying to find 3G signal.

It's funny what an hour of rain can do. Any chance of this being a relaxing festival experience well and truly dissipated when that afternoon storm ripped through Belongil Fields, ensuring that all thoroughfares became thick, deep, turgid piles of mud. Walking anywhere became a mission, but it was going to take more than that to stop us soaking up the awesome Friday line up.


While there are fewer bands that get me excited on Day Two (Friday was the peak for mine), I'm fascinated to see whether Lana Del Rey can topple The Jezabels for the Most Ridiculous Number Of People Trying To Watch A Set At The GW McLennan Tent award.

Likewise the Aussie hip hop double-bill of 360 and Hilltop Hoods in the Mix Up Tent will be a sight to behold; though I can imagine things could get a little wrong over there with so many angry young men in such a comparatively tight space.

But it's the triple bill of Mudhoney, Tame Impala and Dirty Three that has me most excited tonight; hopefully they'll all deliver the goods.

I'm also looking to instigate Axl Rose Watch. Trying to think of a good hashtag... how about #AxlInTheGrass ?

-Dan Condon

 

Welcome To Splendour

We're Awake.. not up but awake

And Celline's Version

Splendour In The Grass 2012 Day One kicked off with the most perfect of perfect weathers... Read More

Insta-Review: Jack White

Pic by Stephen Booth

Even though we were half expecting it, it's still disconcerting when after 45 minutes Jack White's band marches off with little fanfare and is immediately replaced with an all-female ensemble. Given his other outfits it somehow makes more sense to see Jack surrounded by the ladies, and it changes the whole tone of proceedings, still rocking but slightly more refined. Hotel Yorba gets a great response and they deliver a cracking version of The Saboteurs' Top Yourself, followed by a ripper read of The White Stripes' I'm Slowly Turning Into You. A true festival showman, White has saved his trump card for last, the opening notes of Seven Nation Army sending the packed tent into raptures. They draw it out for everything it's worth - a massive communal celebration to signify stumps of day one - and suddenly White is centrestage surrounded by both of his bands, a group hug turning into a mass farewell bow. Despite immense clammering for an encore none is forthcoming. Bring on day two!
- Steve Bell

Mitch Knox wraps up Day One

After the rigours of setting up our tent in the dark upon arriving at Belongil Fields last night...Read More

OK, So It's Past Midnight On Day One...

...And the person who's writing these updates figures it's time to have a few drinks.

And not in a - 'Oh, I'm a music journo let's have a few drinks' sort of way.

A proper, 'Let's have a few drinks, this is only day one' sort of way.

Follow Twitter for cool shit.

Hey, Jack White

You and your band get a big fucking nod of approval.

INSTA-REIVIEW: Explosions In The Sky

"Well hello, Splendour. Thanks for coming to the... tent... and coming to see us. I know it got a little cold and muddy earlier on; we can't help you with the mud, but grab somebody close and we'll help you get warm. We're called Explosions in the Sky, and we're from Texas. Here we go."

So begins the luscious beauty of the Texan four-piece's set, with the only words they need to make their point. Those without someone to hold close might miss out on the literal warming, but the band's brand of atmospheric post rock is chicken soup for the soul, too, and the gently swaying, appreciative attendees know it. In a strange mirroring of the Mogwai/Kanye clash at last year's festival, some have bailed on other, arguably more iconic, bands to be here, a fact not lost on Explosions themselves, and they bring their A-game as they seemingly effortlessly glide their way through their sprawling soundscapes.

This is a tight outfit; the dynamics are crystal clear, the instrumentation polished to a shine - the flow from The Birth And Death of The Day to Your Hand In Mine is simply sublime; the finale of Six Days At The Bottom Of The Ocean is nothing short of epic - and the result is one of the most rewarding showings of Day One, without question. Sure, my fingers are numb as I type this from the side of the pit (not without a few mocking glances in my direction), and Explosions never sing a note, but you know what? Keep your vocals. With music as considered and layered as this, words ruin everything. I'll leave you with just one instead: inspiring.

- Mitch Knox

Jack White Changes Sex

OK, so Jack White started with a boy band, and now he's with a girl band. Dom Alessio (that bloke from triple j) calls him an "equal opportunity employer".

Explosions In The Sky Are Epic

Shit. Like you needed to be told.

Making LOVE To Explosions In The Sky

So while that reformed post-hardcore band were quite angry,Every Time I Dieare all about the love.

"We can't help you with the mud, but grab somebody close and we'll help you get warm," they say.

"If I was still a stoner..." says an anonymous street press writer during the set, with a "wistful look in his or her eye".

Also, they're stunning and the crowd is much more friendly than that angry mob of moshers we were just at that post-hardcore band. Jack who?

Insta-Review: The Afghan Whigs

Pic by Stephen Booth

The Afghan Whigs thrilled a small but besotted throng of devotees with their first ever show in these parts, the six-piece emerging all in clad in stately black and proceeding to smash out an hour of elegant, intense soul-specked rock that put their younger counterparts to shame. Frontman Greg Dulli is no stranger to Splendour having smashed it in this same GW McLennan tent a few years back with the Gutter Twins, but that was nothing compared to seeing him here in all his glory, owning the stage as he and his clearly stoked band show just why they're so revered. Scintillating...
- Steve Bell

Our Twitter Speaks The Truth

Who's with us, yeah?

WIIIIIIINNNNNEEEE

A Report From At The Drive-In

Omar looks bored as hell, Cedric is typically acerbic in his banter and warbly in his vocals, Jim is killing the back ups, but altogether the time apart is definitely a little evident.
 
Nice mix of Relationship Of Command material and older stuff "From when nobody came to see us". Generally amazing though, total nostalgia trip for a good 80% of the audience.
 
- Mitch Knox
 
Oh, and this:

One re-tweet and counting!

UPDATE:

INSTA-REVIEW LANIE LANE

Local lass Lanie Lane wastes no time at all showing what she's made of over at the GW McLennan tent, her healthy mix of country, rock, soul and good times brought to the fore immediately with a pitch-perfect rendition of What Do I Do, from last year's To The Horses.

The affable Lane wins hearts with ease, her laid-back and friendly demeanor the perfect warmer for the chilled evening air. Special mention must be made for her extremely talented backing band - guitarist Aiden Roberts, double bassist Zoe Hartman and drummer "Dero" - who flesh out the rollicking countrified vibes with aplomb as the foursome power through the Jack White-produced My Man.

A special appearance from old friend Kram (of Spiderbait fame) for a duet of Nick Cave's Henry Lee is a real treat, as is the appearance of new song No Sound, for which Lane half-seriously asks the audience for permission to include on her next album (they agree wholeheartedly).

Right through to the closing strains of the ubiquitous (Oh Well) That's What You Get (Falling In Love With A Cowboy), Lane and co. can walk away from this show with heads held high. They've done themselves supremely proud, and have no doubt won themselves a few new fans in the process.
- Mitch Knox

Another Lot of Stephen Booth Photos

Another lot of photos from our man Stephen Booth, this time Spiderbait (who we loved but FasterLouder hated), Kate Miller-Heidke and Michael Kiwanuka.

Head here to see them all.

Kane Hibberd Takes Photos Of Bloc Party

Earlier today we got Bloc Party (playing tomorrow) to stand in a line while photographer extraordinaire Kane Hibberd took their photo. Meanwhile, our man Matt O'Neilltook photos of the whole going on.

Here's a taste, but for the full mean head here.

 

INSTA-REVIEW: SPIDERBAIT

We haven't seen Spiderbait as a while but the crowd hasn't forgotten them.

Shazam has the crowd screaming, Kram's call and response tricks working a charm to rile the crowd up.

The Janet English-lead Outta My Head is irresistible as it was way back when, Pack It Up still packs a punch (as does Kram's furious drumming which ends it) and the juvenile Fuckin' Awesome still doesn't seem ridiculous, for some insane reason, and it's such a great festival singalong song.

Speaking of singalongs, Buy Me A Pony incites a huge one, even though the rendition is quiet and restrained - just clean guitars and kick drum.

No such treatment for Old Man Sam, Smells Like Teen Spirit, Black Betty and Calypso, both of those songs delivered at full throttle. Seriously good fun, and good to see the support for the band is still there.
-Dan Condon

Kram Still Has Spidey Powers

Tent for Spiderbait is so packed that if there were rafters, it would be packed to them.

TheMusic has been forced into the seated area - hoping for a good view of Kram.

Kram repays the crowd with gushing praise: "this is the best festival in Australia".

Girl v Security During Howler

No, not the whiskey!

Then:

And then:

Early days yet.

 

INSTA-REVIEW: MICHAEL KIWANUKA

Michael Kiwanuka and band waltz on stage and launch into "I'll be along", the mixture of his beautiful, warm vocal and the slick lounge-y folk/soul backing of his dapper band just feels comforting.

Worry Walks Beside Me is dark and yearning, featuring a tasteful guitar solo that jumps in and out of the box with precision.

The mood picks up with the chirpy Bones; it's the kinda song that'd send any potential romantic partner weak at the knees, it's late-50s rock'n'roll/early 60s soul influence utterly timeless.

"are there any Hendrix fans in the audience?" gets a huge cheer "me too," Kiwanuka says before launching into May This Be Love (Waterfall). A respectful rendition.

I'm Getting Ready is two minutes of sheer beauty, while a call for a singalong during Home Again gets the desired response from the knowing few.

The tent is only half-full, but he'll be back after your parents have heard him and he'll get plenty more people along.

You won't see a smoother act at Splendour this year.

- Dan Condon

Girl Cries After Missing Emma Lousie

Dan Condon, theMusic.com.au editor who's driving this Splendour coverage, has found a little spot of 3G coverage to report back from.

First point of news is that his shoes are ruined. The newsdesk is awaiting photo evidence.

Also, "Just told a girl she missed Emma Louise and she started crying. Her boyfriend came over and made pretend sex moves. It didn't cheer her up."

Sun Is Out... So Is The Mud

Happy to report it's sunny again. But, we've probably got guaranteed mud for the whole weekend. Pity the fool who didn't bring gumboots.

Things That Definitely Just Happened

1. It definitely rained.

2. It definitely hailed.

3. It was definitely a maelstrom of mud and rain for DZ Deathrays.

4. They definitely owned it regardless.

Also, in Celline's words: "place is fucking floooooooooooded!"

Definitely

It's Not Raining, It's Pissing Down

There's a leak in the main stage tent, water pouring through. DZ Deathrays amp getting wet. This is not good.

Wait, is that fucking hail?

DZ Deathrays before, and DZ Deathrays after (with covers on amps).

It Is Raining At Splendour In The Grass

Oh yeah, like this wasn't going to happen.

INSTA-REVIEW: POND

Pond open in a blaze of noise beer kicking into a lengthy play on the riff for MC5's Kick Out The Jams.

A chirpy When It Explodes appears out of the riffery; Nick Allbrook's appearance and stage presence reminiscent of a Pablo Honey-era Thom Yorke.

The band all have some kind of lurgy; they're "hocking it up everywhere" onstage.

They seamlessly run through song after song, the tunes occasionally punctuated by controlled fits of guitar noise.

The huge riffs they dish out are just made for the main stage and an over-half-full tent looking on makes it feel even bigger and better.

A Bo Diddley feel here, a Zeppelin riff there; it's hardly original but it's executed with the kind of energy and sense of fun that just makes it such a joy to watch.

"Holy shit, thanks for giving us so much love... Motherfuckers" the guitarist remarks before the band launch into a brand new song; equal parts early-80s oz swamp rock/mid 70s American glam with a crazy, heavy, loud psyched out ending. "This is a short version of our last song. We have six minutes."

- Dan Condon

ANYONE HUNGRY?

       

Streaming Playlists - Day One

Playing at home like the poor sods at theMusic.com.au's newsdesk? They've put together this playlist for day one so they can close their eyes every now again and pretend...

 

Lead Singer Of Pond Drinking Cough Medicine

Nick Allbrook of Pond drinking cough medicine on stage. Chucked in a Lil Wayne reference and we didn't catch the rest.

Flume Loses Sound At Mix-Up

Flume dropping some deep grooves at the Mix-Up tent - then almost a total loss of volume for about ten seconds - but he soldiers on.

INSTA-REVIEW: CHET FAKER

Chet Faker

Melbourne lad Nick Murphy kicks off proceedings at the GW McClennan tent with a soulful rendition of Burial's Archangel, much to his sizeable audience's delight. All humility and low-key wonder, he marvels at the size of the show at which he has found himself performing ("this is probably the biggest show I've ever played, heh") before being joined onstage by compatriots on bass and drums, and a guy who looks entirely too much like a scarecrow on guitar. He then proceeds to win even more hearts with pitch-perfect runs of Terms and Conditions and Run to You, much to the delight of a nearby lady in the crowd, who enthuses, "it's my wedding song!" It's a fine start, and a solid bar-setter for the three days to come.

- Mitch Knox

Triple J's The Doctor Crashes Kingswood Band's Set

Triple j Unearthed winners Kingswood are victims of the first stage invasion with triple j's Lindsay 'The Doctor' McDougall charging the stage with guitar in hand.

When Life Gives You A Beat

Dance.

Overheard In A Servo Bathroom

Overheard by Steve Bell in a service station bathroom somewhere between Byron and Brisbane.

Person A: "So who you hanging to see today?"

Person B: "I don't really know who's playing, we just go down to get loose."

We're not sure whether Belly was person A or person B...

Goooooood Morning Day One

And on the first day the good Lord said, 'Let us fucking do this and be merry, for ye, my children, shall bask in the holy glow of musical delights.'

Well shit, at least that's what my God said this morning.

Delta Riggs To Play At 1am

They're the secret guests for the triple j party.

Must. Get. Bus. Back. To. Campsite.

It's too early in the weekend to walk that far.

Last Dinosaurs Came As Hannibal

Hannibal mask for one of the guys in Last Dinosaurs. Can't tell which one because he's in a Hannibal mask.

There's Some Sort Of Outfit Theme Going on...

How do we know?

1. There's a teletubby on stage.

2. This:

DZ Deathrays Spinnin' Beatz

At the triple j pre-party. See, they're more than just a really fucking loud garage-thrash duo, they can hold a dance-floor too.

Playing properly tomorrow.

Northern Is Paaaaaacked

For realz. Triple j pre-party the place to be apparently.

Another Top Splendour Tweet

 Converse vs gumboots.

 

 Your shoes aren't getting any better, either.

"Honk For Splendour"

Signs up in the windows of some cars. We haven't honked yet. Saving ourselves.

Things You See On The Side Of The Road

Passed a car that had been pulled over. Some guy was completely wasted and half naked, throwing up and falling all over the place on the side of the road. His friends were helping him out but this guy is peaking waaaaaaaaay too early. - Celline

Public Service Announcement To North Beach Campers

From the good folks at Splendour In The Grass, the police will be searching your cars.

"Public service announcement to all our North Beach campers! You may experience delays entering the campground as Police are searching all vehicles. Please note that Splendour's North Beach Campground has a zero tolerance policy guys :)"

The Shins Will Party On Tonight

Indie kingsThe Shinswill be kicking on after their Sydney sideshow tonight at the Hordern Pavilion, withy the official after party happening at Potts Point.

The band's James Mercer, Joe Plummer and Richard Swift are expected to take to the decks for a DJ set (all club bangers, we're sure) following performances by GROUP, Wade The Pope and Dan De Caires.

 

Why Zulu Winter Hate The Industry

“Essentially we’ve been playing together for a long time and have been aware of the music industry and the hype culture that surrounds it,” bassist Ian Lock told Drum’s Stuart Evans. “We realised long ago that if we released anything, the attention span of A&R men is about thirty seconds and that they’d want us to release something else immediately."

And we'll just have that one again quickly, "The attention span of A&R men is about thirty seconds ."

Which Member Has To Get The Drinks When The Shins DJ?

Particularly whenJames Mercer's busy getting his photo taken.

More Live Coverage

Splendour In The Grass

Byron Bay , 29/07/2012 — 29/07/2012
Day and night event, Bar, 18+

Lineup

Spiderbait, Michael Kiwanuka, Bloc Party, Jack White, Ball Park Music, The Shins, At The Drive-In, The Smashing Pumpkins, Splinta, Lifeline, Wilde Child, Jack White, The Smashing Pumpkins, At The Drive-In, Hilltop Hoods, The Kooks, The Shins, Miike Snow, Gossip, Explosions In The Sky, Dirty Three, Azealia Banks, Kimbra, Lana Del Rey, Missy Higgins, Spiderbait, Tame Impala, 50 Years of Dylan, Gypsy & The Cat, Ladyhawke, Metric, DZ Deathrays, Mudhoney, Django Django, Howler, Band of Skulls, San Cisco, Lanie Lane, Last Dinosaurs, Electric Guest, Big Scary, Muscles, Angus Stone, Michael Kiwanuka, The Beautiful Girls, Fun, Yacht Club DJs, Seekae, Blue King Brown, Bertie Blackman, Friends, Yuksek, Youth Lagoon, , Ball Park Music, Pond, Jinja Safari, The Rubens, Ben Howard, Tijuana Cartel, Zulu Winter, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Bleeding Knees Club, The Medics, Kate Miller-Heidke, Here We Go Magic, Husky, Emma Louise, Mosman Alder, Father John Misty, Chet Faker, The Cast Of Cheers , Parachute Youth , Kingswood, Wolf & Cub, Gossling, Splinta, Lifeline, Wilde Child, Canyons, Danny T, Nina Las Vegas, Nice and Ego, Sampology, Beni, Alison Wonderland, Gloves, Alley Oop, Flume, Luke Million, Harris Robotis

Related Videos

Find My Festivals

Free daily music news

ON theMusic TODAY

Recommended

theMusic Store

Site lovingly hand–crafted by The Working Party

© 2012 Street Press Australia Pty Ltd