Splendour In The Grass 2013: Mumford, Frank Ocean, The National

24 April 2013 | 8:03 am | Staff Writer

Line-up announcement made this morning

More Splendour In The Grass More Splendour In The Grass

The line-up for this year's Splendour In The Grass line-up has dropped – with Mumford & Sons, Frank Ocean and The National to headline.

It will be the only Australian shows for Mumford & Sons, The National and TV On The Radio. The Polyphonic Spree will perform Rocky Horror Picture Show while You Am I will be playing Sound As Ever and Hi-Fi Way.

The full line-up includes:

FRIDAY 26 JULY

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Mumford & Sons
TV On The Radio
This will be their first appearance in Australia since Harvest in 2011 and a triumphant return to Splendour. There's a chance you've forgotten just how good this band are live, so look forward to reigniting that love.

Klaxons
Babyshambles
Architecture In Helsinki

We're guessing this will be the return to the scene for the long standing indie-pop turned electro Melburnians.

Matt Corby
He's so stupidly fucking popular these days that no one even talks about him like he used to be on Australian Idol.

Flight Facilities
Boy & Bear

They are working on a new record and had already intimated they'd be back on the live scene. Will the new material stand up to where they were?

Darwin Deez
You Am I

Legends of life playing songs from debut LP Sound As Ever (Adams Ribs please) and brilliant second record Hi Fi Way. Nothing more to be said, really; they school everyone if they're on point and it's rare that they're not.

Haim
These Californian sisters have made some the most brilliant pop music of the past couple of years. Great harmonies, intricate arrangements, cool vibes; here's hoping they can bring their recorded brilliance to the live stage without hassle.

Clairy Browne & The Bangin' Rackettes
Splendour serves as another step in this fantastic Aussie soul group getting a shot at big local success. They're stunning on record and far too much fun live. Deserve a good time slot and a big crowd, but we'll see.

Portugal. The Man
Daughter

Hyped UK folkies that will either be the huge or completely forgotten about in the next two or three years. See them now just in case, we reckon.

Wavves
One of California's favourite stoners and his group of merry men make their return to our shores once more for Splendour. They might be stoners but their live shows are loud, fast and fun – just like their records, the latest of which continues his tried and true method of making solid garage pop.

Robert Delong
Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Kiwi man moves to Portland, hides in basement for ages, makes world's best music. Okay that might be going a little over the top but if you don't already know UMO then you need to fall for them by the time Splendour rolls around.

Deap Vally
Garage duo from Los Angeles who borrow very heavily from the book of modern bands who love 70s riffs. They kinda sound like the perfect festival band and they'll be perfectly suited to the first evening of Splendour.

Dune Rats
Cub Scouts
Mitzi
Songs

Unsearchable Sydney band released Malabar this year and it was good. Those songs should sound brilliant live too.

Dcup
Yolanda Be Cool
Xaphoon Jones
(Aka Noah Chiddy Bang)

SATURDAY 27 JULY

The National
New album due in just under a month, this is their only Australian show, certainly a big drawcard. They've had big festival slots in Australian before but can The National put on a show that has them deserving of the last slot on Saturday night?

Empire of the Sun
Bernard Fanning
Flume
Birds Of Tokyo
Drapht
Polyphonic Spree

Kinda like a church choir if it was started by your cool older brother and if their church was a weird basement where they took acid and listened to Flaming Lips records and watched cartoons.

Fat Freddy's Drop
Cold War Kids
Sarah Blasko
Ms Mr

One of a number of bands making a quick return after Laneway, we think their music will be better suited to a slightly chillier climate and hopefully after the release of their debut record there have been some new exciting developments to their live show.

Cloud Control
Something For Kate
Chet Faker
Whitley
Jake Bugg

19-year-old British dude who has become real popular in not very much time in his home country; number one albums, platinum sale etcetera. Pretty folky and very British.

Palma Violets
They're hailed by many as one of the better in the latest new breed of jangly garage rock bands and while their debut album has great moments without being a great album, we're ready for them to truly prove themselves come July.

Vance Joy
Jagwar Ma
Villagers

Half-jaunty indie folk from Ireland; very popular back home and certainly well-loved in Australia, but looking to win over a greater percentage of the Australian music loving public, which they'll likely do at Splendour – it's the kind of music that just clicks with Australian audiences.

Violent Soho
Art Of Sleeping
Twinsy
Alison Wonderland
(DJ set)
Otologic
Bad Ezzy

SUNDAY 28 JULY

Frank Ocean
What can we say? Finally Frank Ocean is coming to Australia. Forging the brightest solo career of any of the Odd Future members, there's nothing on the announcement that says he's shows are exclusive which suggests he'll be touring elsewhere once the festival sells out.

Of Monsters & Men
The Presets
Passion Pit
James Blake
Laura Marling
The Rubens
Fresh off a Bruce Springsteen support (they won't say that often) the Sydney indie outfit have very quickly become one of the country's biggest rock bands. Only that kid Flume can steal their thunder this year.

Hermitude
Recent Australian Music Prize winners for their HyperParadise record, the $30,000 should cover the drive from Sydney. Electronic/hip hop/beats producers will bring the tent down.

Airbourne
The Drones

On the back of one of their best albums yet, The Drones will take their cathartic and intense live show and wrangle it around the neck for Splendour. You'll probably find them on one of the more intimate stages, and they'll fuckin' tear it to shreds.

Gurrumul
Wherever you are whern Gurrumul starts playing - stop and pay attention. Also, Yolanda Be Cool and Flume are on this bill. Might we see this?

Everything Everything
Snakadaktal

From Melbourne and part of the I Oh You family (DZ Deathrays, Bleeding Knees Club) dream pop charmers set to break out after a set like this.

FIDLAR
One of the most hyped bands in the world right now (thanks SXSW), the snotty LA indie punks will release their debut album this year and are being pushed hard into the territory.

The Bamboos
Surfer Blood
Alpine
Little Green Cars

Dublin indie five piece with members who are just 20 years old (don't you hate that – what the hell have I done with my life?) coming off a Coachella set. Splendour better put the sun on for 'em.

Pvt
The Jungle Giants
The Growl

Perth based garage rock outfit are starting to feel bigger than their home city.

The Chemist
What So Not
Peking Duk
Tyler Touch
Plus a mystery band...

Prices are as follows:

Three-day tickets (including Thursday night site entry): $350 plus $9 booking fee
Single-day tickets: $140 plus $7 booking fee
Onsite camping: $99 plus $6 booking fee
Country Club (VIP) ticket: $699 plus $13 booking fee

Considered Australia's most prestigious camping event, the festival will take place Friday 26, Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July this year. It will be the first year of their new venue at North Byron Parklands and as such is a watershed year for promoters Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco, who fought hard for the right to use the grounds.