As the days begin to get shorter and the weather colder, the Aussie music festival circuit is drawing to a close and punters are already shifting focus to the musical extravaganza and saviour of winter, Splendour In The Grass.
Excitement for the fest is bubbling with the announcement of the first artist being revealed last week, leaving many guessing for who else will be gracing the hallowed Byron Bay grounds, however we can ruefully confirm that there are many artists that will not be playing at this year’s adored festival.
Taking a look at other festivals around the globe that are on at the same time as Splendour In The Grass, Friday 24 – Sunday 26 July, there are unfortunately many names that you can cross-off your wish-list.
Perhaps the hardest-hitting news is the fact that Canada’s inaugural WayHome festival has secured the likes of Sam Smith, Kendrick Lamar, Alt-J, Modest Mouse, Vance Joy and Run The Jewels not to mention exciting up-and-coming acts like Alvvays, Viet Cong and July Talk. Major bummer.
The UK have also locked-down Laura Marling, Bombay Bicycle Club and Angus & Julia Stone who will all be performing at Somersault Festival, whilst in the US recent visitor J Mascis and homegrown legend Courtney Barnett will be charming hearts at The Newport Folk Festival.
Yes, these are some pretty huge names that have definitely been rule out for the 2015 fest, however, there is hope of some great acts, with Japan’s Fuji Rock having released a killer lineup that usually shares some names with Splendour In The Grass.
The initial lineup for the popular Japanese festival, which just so happens to take place on the same weekend as our beloved Splendour, dropped late last month, featuring a stack of great acts including Foo Fighters, Muse, FKA twigs, Happy Mondays, Of Monsters and Men, and Todd Rundgen.
Earlier this month, Fuji Rock organisers confirmed Jenny Lewis, Ryan Adams, Johnny Marr, and Macy Gray, and they most recently announced the likes of Catfish and the Bottlemen, Ride, Hudson Mohawke, The Districts, and Motörhead, several of whom we could definitely see on a Splendour lineup.
Splendour In The Grass frequently shares acts with Fuji Rock. Last year, the two festivals swapped some 10 acts, including Splendour headliners Outkast and Lily Allen, as well as Foster The People, Kelis, London Grammar, Parquet Courts, Jungle, Darkside, Asgeir, and The Strypes.
Earlier this month, Mark Ronson also addressed speculation about a potential Splendour appearance by telling Triple J, “I can neither confirm nor deny any of these rumours. If I can figure out a great show, I’m going to be here – that’s what I know for sure.”
Despite confirming these artists won’t rock Splendour In The Grass 2015, we’re certain the festival, as always, will deliver one hell of a lineup.
