With the enormous line up and playing times in place, Splendour In The Grass is all set to kick off its 2013 edition at the end of the month and with only a few weeks left until kick-off, organisers have made a few tweaks to the camping set-up to deal with inclement weather forecast and to better deal with the huge crowds set to descend on the completely sold out three day music festival.
For those looking toset up their tent on location at the North Byron Parklands site, Splendour organisers have issued a notice that “in light of the prolonged, unfavourable weather conditions around Byron Bay and in order to offer patrons the most comfortable and safest camping experience possible, we’ve had to make a call on how we roll out the camping at Splendour this year.”
Chiefly, that means that those looking to park their car next to their tent – Meredith style – will be disappointed to learn that there this year “campers will park their vehicles in the camping car park adjacent to the campground,” located a few hundred metres away, then legging their gear up to the camping grounds.
Splendour organisers note the new separate car park set up follows in the lead of “overseas festivals… such as Glastonbury, Fuji Rock, T On The Park, and Roskilde,” as if to soften the blow to those looking to call ‘dibs’ on camping spots with their vans or car-pool. The move is also designed to lessen the environmental impact of several hundred cars driving across fresh grounds can typically cause, particularly if it rains and becomes a muddy hellhole. Splendour organisers note the new camping set up follows in the lead of “overseas festivals… such as Glastonbury, Fuji Rock, T On The Park, and Roskilde,”
“We know this is a change to previous advice regarding camping with vehicles. We apologise for any inconvenience, but request that you please roll with it in true camping spirit and make the most of your weekend home,” continues the Splendour statement, encouraging campers to pack efficiently in light of the changes, “travel light and it’ll be alright.”
For those driving to the event, Splendour emphasise that you need to purchase a vehicle pass at moshtix.com.au prior to arriving at the festival entry to avoid disappointment. “We’ve deliberately set it up so that if you pre-purchase your vehicle pass – you win. If you purchase at the gate – you lose. Simple.”
The campgrounds will also feature food stalls that will be open 24 hours from the morning of Wednesday 24th July until Monday 29th July, and promise “something delicious and nutritious before you go to bed and they’ll have something tasty to get you moving in the morning – and of course the all important coffee to get the blood pumping!”
“The General Store will also be up and running, fully stocked from Wednesday,” reads the notice, “and in other news, we will not be charging for showers in the campground as previously advised. However, as there is no town water supply at the site it is important that you keep your free shower brief.”
The camping changes and car pass notice follows the expansion of the Splendour lineup through the addition of the Red Bull Music Academy’s curated stage and the Triple J Unearthed acts and arts features, while the illusive “Mystery Band” has yet to be revealed.
This year’s Splendour also sees the introduction of electronic wristbands – an Aussie music festival first; the RFID devices will be able to ‘track your journey’ with streaming service Deezer providing post-festival playlists and customised content based on your movements and ‘check ins’.
Read the Car Pass details below and check out the full three-day timetable schedule for Splendour In The Grass 2013 here.
Splendour In The Grass 2013 Car Pass Info
CAMPGROUND VEHICLE ENTRY PASS – Purchase online before 5pm Sunday 21 July. $30
3 or more ticketholders in your vehicle when you arrive and you receive a full refund.
Purchase at the gate – $60 and no refund available.
DAY VEHICLE ENTRY PASS – Purchase online before Wednesday 17 July. $30
4 or more ticketholders in your vehicle when you arrive and you receive a full refund.
Purchase at the gate – $60 and no refund available.
Further details here http://splendourinthegrass.com/car-passes.html
