Photography by Simone Gorman-Clark
MUSIC, MISCHIEF & MUD! Splendour in the Grass returned to the North Byron Parklands after a two-year pandemic-induced hiatus on 22-24 July. The festival was a wet 'n' wild one, but we gummied-up and braved the sludge to bring you the musical highlights from across the weekend.
For what started as the brainchild of two mates who met in a Byron pub in the 90s, Splendour In The Grass has respectfully grown into the pinnacle weekend of every Aussie music-lover's calendar.
If you’ve been there, you’d get it. But if you haven't, let me paint you a picture.
Imagine a bubbled universe spread across 660 acres of rolling hills and lantern-lined trails in the Byron Bay hinterland. Upon entry, you leave your everyday identity at the gate and submit your senses for 72 hours of non-stop musical highs and moments of pure euphoria.
It’s a sensation that words fail to articulate, and definitely something that has to be felt to comprehend.
Having just arrived back to reality after Splendour In The Grass 2022, my feet are yet to touch the ground.
What a wild ride of a weekend.
It’s almost heartbreaking to see the attention of the press focus predominantly on the shit-show caused by Mother Nature. In other words, the boot-swallowing mud that spanned the kilometres in-between stages, made the tipi forest into a paddling pool (RIP) and turned mosh-pits into mush(-pits).
Don’t get me wrong; it sucked. I went ass-up in the mud and fished my phone out of the choco river during Genesis Owusu just like anyone else, but for this review let’s focus on one thing that managed to deliver from the weekend: the MUSIC.
Would be rude not to, we are a music mag after all…
Cosmos Midnight — Mix-Up Stage — Saturday
Coming to the rescue at the eleventh hour, home-grown synth sensations Cosmos Midnight more than made up for the tragic lineup loss of UK jazz muso Tom Misch.
The duo brought their playful high-energy hits to the Splendour stage, and as always, delivered a consistent hour of beaming bangers. The command they had over the Mix-Up tent was hypnotising. A sea of bodies falling into synchronicity, jumping and grooving in the same rhythmic wave, shouting every lyric lovingly at one another. Absolute scenes.
Mid-set, Cosmos treated the crowd to a Ruel-shaped treat, as he took the stage to serenade with their collaborative hit ‘Down For You’. Having had his set cancelled the previous day, after just one sweet song, everything was once again right with the world as the crowd and Ruel alike finally got their fix.
IMO, best set of the weekend.
Grinspoon — Amphitheatre — Sunday
Probably the heftiest rock band to grace the Amphitheatre stage all weekend, Grinspoon were loud and heavy! Bringing the nostalgic feels back from childhood, arm in arm and swaying along to ‘Better Off Alone’ just felt so right.
Frontman Phil Jamison was full on energy, running from one end of the stage to the other without skipping a beat. The band was tight and well versed in commanding a crowd of max capacity. The visuals paired perfectly with their hits, while lightning, lasers and confetti beamed out covering those gathered below.
Jack Harlow — Amphitheatre — Saturday
After rising to fame while the world was in lockdown, it was a delight to welcome Jack Harlow to Australia for the first time for such a monumental occasion. Imagine jumping straight into prime time at the Amphitheatre for your first SITG appearance. Bonkers. I hope he realises that.
Regardless, the crowd ate him up as he waltzed the backlit stage presenting minimal design while spitting hits such as ‘What’s Poppin’ and ‘First Class’. He was a gentleman, conversing with the audience regarding his sobriety, his musical journey so far and sharing stories of his hometown in Kentucky.
He dueted his tunes singing back and forth with the crowd while exercising as much vocal range as a rapper can. His performance was loved by all, evident by the throwing of fists and dropping it low regardless of the mud that met them at the bottom.
G Flip — Amphitheatre — Sunday
Now, this one caught my ear and made me stay for longer than expected! While wandering past the Amphitheatre, I was immediately drawn in by Flip’s onstage energy. They were belting their hits with so much passion, you could tell just how much they missed the crowd after the last two years.
Their voice was pitch-perfect, and band so tight, that it was as if their Spotify discography was blasting from the AUX. Absolute perfection.
And as if that wasn't enough, they proceeds to jump on the drums for a one-handed solo of a t.A.T.u, blink-182, Billie Eilish and Phil Collins mashup. Such raw talent, unapologetic power and a sweetheart to the core.
Mura Masa — Mix-Up Stage — Sunday
Oooooof! Dishing up a spicy set from start to finish, Mura Masa closed out the Mix-Up Stage leaving everyone on an absolute high.
All crammed in, the crowd understood the assignment straight away and pumped out every last ounce of energy left from the three-day music marathon. Hair was flipping and feet were floating while hits like ‘Love$ick’ and ‘Firefly’ moved through the souls of those present.
Joined on stage by talented vocalists, the British-born electronic music producer served as the medal ceremony equivalent for those who reached the end of Splendour In The Mud 2022 and lived to tell the tale.
