Just a year ago, a Sydney band by the name of by RÜFÜS – made up of Jon George on keys/synth, Tyrone Lindquist on vocals/guitar and James Hunt on drums – released their debut record, Atlas. It had a sound that latched onto Australian music fans, packed-out with shimmering synths, escapist lyrics and super-catchy melodies. Since its release the boys have spent the year touring relentlessly, sandwiching countless sideshows in-between SXSW, Listen Out, Big Day Out and finally, Splendour in the Grass.

Hearing the old adage “It’s been a busy year for the band” is a cliché that can get thrown around all too frequently. But Splendour in the Grass was a particularly pertinent marker for RÜFÜS boys, capping off what has been overwhelmingly busy, and successful year. Last year they missed out on tickets and begged/borrowed/stole their way into the festival to see James Blake!. The year before that, they bought their own tickets and were one of the many faces in the crowd.

Things truly came full circle this year when the boys packed-out the Mix Up tent on Saturday evening. It was their first performance at Splendour and fittingly, one of the biggest crowds they’ve ever played to. I followed the boys around to find out how they pull together such an epic show, chat about their future plans for recording and living in Berlin, and off course, catch their final show in Australia for a while yet.

The boys shacked up in a house in Byron Bay for their stay. Tyrone’s dad (on the right) is known to ask people if they know the band RÜFÜS and tell them his son is the lead singer.

James is impressed by the rider Splendour have provided. Not to mention their dressing room was home to Outkast the prior night.

Tyrone enjoys a pre-show Mexican feast.

Sound techs start getting the boy’s equipment and hardware set up.

Tyrone enjoys some quiet time re-writing his set list to help him memorise it. He generally keeps to himself in the hour leading up to the show to save his voice.

Jon and James exchange funny stories during an interview, chatting about partying the night before, seeing their mates Wordlife play, and their upcoming trip to Berlin to start producing the next RÜFÜS record.

Jon and James read the Splendour programme, which details some interesting stats about the RÜFÜS team and funny stories about how James – or Jimbob as manager Danny refers to him – got so loose last year he woke up 60kms out of Byron without much memory as to how he got there, or his keys.

The show also introduced some new lasers into the production.

One last chat with the stage manager before showtime.

Tyrone testing his chops on the mic.

The new lasers getting warmed-up.

And the show begins.

Jon slays an epic harmonica solo.

From behind.

Jon jumping in excitement as the boys close with ‘Desert Night’.