British indie it-kids Alt-J have reportedly been left at a Queensland airport and told to fend for themselves after a Splendour In The Grass roadie decided to call in Gold Coast pop star Cody Simpson as the festival's mystery act.
It was confirmed beyond question that Alt-J this week were the festival's unnamed act, but SPA Confidential understands that organisers made a snap decision in the early hours of the morning to instead enlist the 16-year-old global breakout star – hailed as the new Jack Johnson.
According to a source who bummed a cigarette off one of Mumford & Sons' roadies this morning told SPA Confidential, “The festival organisers were concerned that despite the event selling out, they weren't hitting the right target market. Instead of all these credible indie kids, they know they really have to push hard into the 12-16 year old American females demographic if Splendour's going to have a long term future.”
It is understood that the organisers were tipped off late last night that Simpson was going to debut at ten on the US Album Chart and they made plans to get him on a plane this morning. Approximately 90 tents will be ripped up from the general campground this afternoon while people are at the festival so Simpson's private jet can land safely at the site later tonight.
Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter
“Everyone thought the ∆ symbol was for Alt-J,” the source continued, “but it's actually the icon of an elite under-18 Gold Coast surfers' gang. Simpson's got it tattooed on his thigh.”
Initially angered at the move, the members of Alt-J accepted the festival's decision once the circumstances were made clear to them. They have been given complimentary Big Mac vouchers for the airport and will be allowed to listen to the festival from the campground.
Simpson's new album only has eight songs on it, so it is understood that the festival have asked him to play a 45-minute version of hit single Pretty Brown Eyes.
