Splendour in the Grass: Part 1
Splendour in the Grass patrons are dedicated folk. The days are piping hot, the nights are freezing. The hours are long. But – the line-up of Triple J darlings is second to none, with 2014 being no exception.
Despite the last minute pull-outs from London Grammar and Two Door Cinema Club, the festival schedule had no major clashes (for this reviewer anyway) and was packed with the hottest acts currently gracing airwaves, both internationally and nationally.
Freshly signed Sydney outfit DMA’s kicked of proceedings, their sound having smatterings of Oasis and Placebo. Adorned with caps and sunnies my Dad would wear, Tommy O’Donnell’s pipes soared over new tracks from their recent self-titled EP such as ‘You’re Low’ and ‘Play it Out’. The crowd’s response to current rock ballad ‘Delete’ proves these guys are in for great success. Duo DZ Deathrays brought their trademark screech, guitar effects and marching beats to the amphitheatre, launching into ‘Fixation’ and refusing to tone down as sparks flew. Grungy, crazy haired and unafraid – brilliant.
They were followed by another Sydney-born band The Preatures – again on the main amphitheatre. My lord, lead singer Izzi Manfredi is absolutely transfixing. Her black mop, neon pink lippie, denim jacket and soothing rock voice gives her quite the presence – it’s like looking at Chrissie Amphlet or Suzie Quatro. The band grooved slowly into the set, opening with ‘Two Tone Melody’, and ‘Manic Baby’ before their hit ‘Is This How You Feel’ had the crowd on their feet, dancing. Effortless classic rock vibes floated throughout the amphitheatre. Over at the Mix Up tent, The Kite String Tangle was illuminating the crowd with a euphoric, mesmerising set. Danny Harley has accumulated a legion of fans across the past 12 months, and rightly so. His alternative sound is reminiscent of a mellowed-out Flume, and his vocals are delicate but powerful – gliding over ‘Arcadia’, and ‘Stone Cold’ with Tiana Khasi, before rounding out the set with Like a Version cover Clair De Lune, and his biggest hit ‘Given The Chance’.
A change of pace saw nerdiest rockers out Ball Park Music bring their blunt lyrics and billowing smoke to the amphitheatre. Kicking off with ‘Cocaine Lion’, their set was fast paced and energetic – not that you would have been able to tell by vocalist Sam Cromack’s expressionless face. Ball Park Music has ‘tude and their tracks are catchy as hell – ‘Literally Baby’ talks about ‘our bits smashed together like fresh fruit in the sun, while ‘Everything Is Shit Except My Friendship With You’ screams exactly that. Rounding out with a rousing version of Bohemian Rhapsody, you had one of the best sets of the day.
Childish Gambino brought his trademark swag, hop, skipping and jumping around the stage while he spat lyrics and then juxtaposed them with smooth crooning – his singing vocals not as strong as his rap, but still pleasant to listen to. Performing tracks primarily from new album ‘Because The Internet’, he threw in current hit ‘Sweatpants’ before rounding out with biggest hit ‘3005’. A predictably awesome performance. The night rounded out with headliner Outkast – and what a privilege to have them in Australia after such a prolonged absence. The amphitheatre was filled to the brim as they performed the classics from their heyday ‘Hey Ya’, ‘Roses’ and of course ‘Miss Jackson’ to thunderous applause – their energy infectious and their outfits ridiculous.
– Danielle Muir
