Can’t Make It To Splendour? These Sideshows Might Soothe The Pain

Missing out on Splendour In The Grass can be painful enough without a sea of excited punters rubbing it on social media, but if you slept on tickets or can’t make the trip this year, not all hope is lost.

After this year’s epic bill dropped, the highly-anticipated sideshows rollout began, and among a wealth of talent spreading out across the country, here’s a few tastes of Splendour you don’t want to miss.

Splendour Pre-Party feat. Years & Years, Lido, Moonbase Commander, Twinsy 

Even if you’re not heading to Splendour, the official pre-party is an option for Brisbane punters who want to revel in the atmosphere before the main event. The Triffid’s going to be pumping on Thursday night with a headline set from British pop masters Years & Years and fellow Splendour acts. Head down and just pretend for one night that you’ll be partying at Splendour all weekend.

When & where: Jul 21, The Triffid, Brisbane

The 1975, Cub Sport

There’s never a dull moment when it comes to indie pop outfit The 1975, and after a headline run in January, they’re set to bring their memorable live show and new record, I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It (that’s a mouthful) back to clubs around the country. On somewhat of a whirlwind tour, they’ll play the festival on Friday before hitting Sydney and Melbourne the following two nights with Brisbane’s Cub Sport in tow. There’ll still be buzzing from the festival and that’ll no doubt translate into some insane headline shows.

When & where: Jul 23, Sydney Showgrounds; Jul 24, Hisense Arena, Melbourne

Beach Slang, Spring King, Food Court

We can’t get enough of Philadelphia punk rockers Beach Slang. They’re our cover stars this week and frontman James Alex Snyder stopped by our Sydney office for a chat and performance earlier today.

When & where: Jul 20, Oxford Art Factory, Sydney; Jul 24, Corner Hotel, Melbourne

James Blake, Mark Pritchard

Prodigious electronic musician James Blake will have a bit of downtime between Splendour and his massive headline run, meaning he’ll be on top of his game as he roles through Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Blake’s no stranger to Spendour or its accompanying parties, having played the festival in 2013, and his return comes as punters eagerly await his new LP, Radio Silence, which might pop up on the setlist during his visit.

When & where: Jul 26, Hordern Pavilion, Sydney; Jul 27, Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne; 28 Jul, Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide

Jake Bugg, Blossoms, Peter Bibby

Prolific UK singer-songwriter Jake Bugg has achieved a lot at the age of 22, and part of the hype surrounding him comes from a stellar love show. Add to that Bugg’s new record, On My One, dropped last month and some killer supports (Manchester five-piece Blossoms on Sydney and Melbourne; Peter Bibby in Perth) and you’ve got the makings of one hell of a party.

When & where: Jul 26, State Theatre, Sydney; Jul 27, Palais Theatre, Melbourne; Jul 29, Metro City, Perth

See Secret Sounds Touring's website for further ticketing information.

Check out our Splendour survival guide here.