What is Splendour in the Grass?
Splendour in the Grass is a major Australian music festival that began in Byron Bay in 2001. It has been held at North Byron Parklands near Yelgun and features indie, rock, pop, hip hop and electronic acts.
The festival was first held in 2001 at Belongil Fields in Byron Bay. It was named after the 1961 film Splendor in the Grass, which in turn took its title from a poem by William Wordsworth.
Splendour moved to Woodford in Queensland for a few years, from 2010 to 2012, before moving to North Byron Parklands, a purpose-built festival site between Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads, in 2013.
A winter festival
Unlike most Australian music festivals, Splendour is held in July, during the winter. The weather in northern New South Wales is usually mild, although rain has sometimes turned the site into mud, as happened in 2022.
The festival has featured headliners such as Kanye West, Lorde and Arctic Monkeys, along with many Australian acts.
Splendour has been known for its camping, art installations and the forum stage, which hosted talks and discussions. It has been one of Australia's most important events for the music industry.
Did You Know?
Splendour in the Grass has been organized by Secret Sounds, a company that also ran other major Australian festivals.