Splendour In The Grass To Stay Put

Organisers of Splendour In The Grass in Byron Bay, Australia, denied media reports July 25 it might have to move from North Byron Parklands after next year.

Reports suggested a move might be imminent as the three-day festival is four years into a five-year trial to operate at the site. Co-promoter Jessica Ducrou emphasised, “We’re happy with how the festival has been running here and at this stage we are not considering any other sites for the festival (in 2018).”

The festival wrapped up July 24 for its 16th year after attracting 32,500 attendees each day.

Highlights included dance act The Avalanches’ first Australian performance in 16 years and a three-hour set from The Cure that led to four encores, and sets by 100 acts including The Strokes, At The Drive In, James Blake, Leon Bridges, and home-grown drawcards including Flume, Violent Soho, Gang of Youth, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and Sticky Fingers.

However, the July 22 kickoff ended with a massive traffic problem when attendees leaving at midnight encountered three-hour delays in paid-for bus services. Punters complained of being left with no explanation or water, and facing the option of walking 90 minutes to the nearest town or sleeping on the street.

Splendour apologised and attributed it to three times greater traffic in the car park than expected. It shifted the bus pickup and provided free rides after.