Want To Have The Best Splendour XR Experience? Here Are Our Top Tips

With the first ever Splendour XR festival kicking off this weekend, it’s safe to say this won’t be your regular festival experience. With the whole thing taking place in a 3D virtual world online, you may need to approach things slightly differently for the optimum experience. Here are some top tips for making sure your inaugural virtual festival is the best it can be. 

Get Set, Get Ready

Just like real life Splendour - or any in-person, multi-stage festival for that matter - You’re not going to be able to see everything. With eight cyber-locations running concurrent acts all throughout the fest, the virtual world is still not quite at the point of letting you be in two places at once. So while it may be obvious, it bears repeating: check the set times for your favourite acts to make sure you’re logging in at the right times. Hey, at least you’re not running between stages this year.

Get Connected

While you might not be getting amongst the action like usual, doesn’t mean you can’t still get those quality festival mates. Splendour XR is designed to be as much a social experience as it is a musical one, so get out there and meet up with your pals, get friendly with randos in the crowd, and exchange pleasantries with that one guy you’re trying to get past in the mosh. 

“That’s probably the most important thing to me,” festival co-founder Jessica Ducrou told The Music last week. “That it’s not just this passive experience that you’re just sitting there and watching. That you feel connected to a like-minded community where you can hang with your friends and you can meet new people. That’s the model that I wanted to present.”

But Also, Get Connected

Based on the sheer scale of the Splendour XR virtual landscape, that old Windows XP you got from the Op Shop probably won’t be up to the task. You’ll still be able to watch sets live-streamed, control camera angles, and can “teleport” between stages at the click of a button, but if you’re looking to have that fully immersive 3D experience, make sure you’ve got the right gear.

Splendour XR is optimised for gaming computers and VR headsets, so if you’ve got anything less powerful, your computer might struggle a bit. Make sure you’re on the right level of XR experience when you log on. If you're still unsure, check out the Splendour XR FAQ page for all the info.

Microchips, Dips & Drinks

You won’t want to miss a second of the fest, so stock up on food and drink before you get comfy. Not sure what to sip on? Splendour XR have even got you covered there.

Right now you can order your very own Strummer cocktail kit to be delivered to your door for the festival. Named after the iconic Clash frontman and the backstage bar at Splendour IRL, the kit features everything you need to create your own boutique boozy beverage. It’s even heartily endorsed by Amyl & The Sniffers’ Amy Taylor, in this hilariously sweary vid:

Twigs For Gigs

As one of the only Australian festivals guaranteed to go ahead this year, the team behind Splendour XR have made extra efforts to assist the many industry workers and performers currently doing it tough. Throughout the virtual event, you’ll notice a number of Giving Trees scattered around the place. These trees are donation points linked to music-based financial aid charity Support Act, who are providing much needed support to people around Australia who have lost work in the music and arts industry. If you are able to, consider donating at these hubs to help out and ensure live music can get back up and running as soon as possible. For more info on Support Act, check out the banner below.

Splendour XR is taking place across this weekend. For the full lineup and ticket info, head to theGuide.