The sun was out and the ground had dried up a little for Day Three of Splendour in the Grass. Weekend campers knew what they were in for and there mustn’t be a single store in Byron with gumboots left by now.
Scottish rockers The Snuts brought newfound energy to the small but active crowd of the Amphitheatre early on.
Following up was Pond, whose lucid frontman, Nick Allbrook captivated a much bigger crowd with his mesmerising presence.
G Flip came out and went straight to the drumkit to play a section of “Running Up That Hill” with one arm, the other in a cast. There was a big thank you speech with pyrotechnics and even a drum solo to a medley of covers. It also proved that shoeys are still a thing for some reason, as their dad (sitting on stage) would show.
Local icons Grinspoon picked up the pace with Phil Jamieson screaming through a megaphone into the mic. Their grungy guitars conjured the older patrons from the bars and formed a sea of headbanging.
Grinspoon
Down the other end, Julia Stone serenaded a full GW McLennan tent with a few guests, including her brother Angus for “Chateau”.
Seemingly half the festival migrated to see Aitch while the rest trudged uphill for Liam Gallagher, who had three guitarists and maracas. It was a set of straight rock n roll with a few Oasis hits thrown in – and yes, he played “Wonderwall”.
Meanwhile, Amyl and the Sniffers brought their fiery punk energy to the GW McLennan stage and killed it. Lead singer Amy Taylor (pictured above) seems to have inexhaustible energy.
Finally, festival closer Tyler, The Creator emerged to a stage decorated with plants. Pyrotechnic bangs lit up the scene as Tyler rapped atop a hill dressed as a hiker. His aggressive delivery and hard trap beats had the whole Amphitheatre bouncing and the crowd roared at every word.
The buses were more efficient than on previous nights and the Splendour staff were friendly and helpful. Despite a mostly cancelled first day, the remaining events were a success. Happy 20th birthday to Australia’s favourite festival!
Header image: Amyl and the Sniffers
All photos by Bruce Baker
