Heading up to Byron Bay for Splendour In The Grass has become somewhat of an annual tradition for the LWA crew – an entire week where we get to catch up with pals, take a few photos, spend way too much time in the Smirnoff dance tent and drink way too many pre-mixers. Oh yeah, there’s a couple of bands too, and by a couple we mean the world’s best and biggest.
With Splendour In The Grass having announced their SXSW party last week, the rumour mill is working overtime to keep up on who’s gonna pop up in the coastal town come 2015. Traditionally, the lineup drops sometime next month – so here’s our educated guesses and wish list for the three day bender from July 24-26.
Fingers crossed, and stay tuned to LWA for all the SITG coverage:
MARK RONSON
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPf0YbXqDm0
The super-producer ducked Down Under for a quick promotional tour last month – we saw him on The Island where we sipped coconuts while he dropped some Nicki Minaj bangers. He hinted at a return later in 2015, which has put him on the SITG radar of basically everybody – he’s proven that he can headline Australian festivals with ease, and with the success of Uptown Special, we’re thinking he’ll be there with bells on.
TRINIDAD JAMES
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK2FqPNIT_U
Okay, maybe this is wishful thinking on our part, but it’s possible. Trinidad James became an unlikely source of inspiration for Ronson’s aforementioned ‘Uptown Funk’ – and an official remix of the track with James’ verse was released last week. Ronson brought out Australian collaborator Daniel Merriweather on his last tour, so maybe Trinidad James will join Ronson this time around. The Atlanta rapper might even fill the shoes of fellow Southern rappers Outkast, who killed it in 2014.
MUMFORD & SONS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW6SkvErFEE
These banjo enthusiasts played to packed out stages at SITG 2013, and with a new album ‘Wilder Mind’ due for a release on May 1, the stars are aligning for Mumford & Sons to return back in 2015. They have a short break between European festival appearances in late July – let’s see if they have enough time to make it to Byron Bay. The audio clip of their last single ‘Believe’ has racked up over 3 million views on YouTube, so you can bet the indie kids are still frothing. #TEAMBANJO
WU-TANG CLAN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhCNBsoLkjE
Nobody believed that Outkast would actually make it to Australia, but they did – and hearing them perform ‘International Player’s Anthem’ live was the best moment of my life. So if SITG can make Outkast happen, why not the Wu-Tang Clan? Okay, they have a few more members, but the positive, socially-conscious message of their recently-released album A Better Tomorrow aligns well with the event. Still, we want to hear them play ‘Bring Da Ruckus’ and bash our heads on a fence.
JACK WHITE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQOnbp_DspY
Yes, we really need another dose of Jack White after he absolutely slayed it at SITG back in 2012. Since then, he released the disgustingly good album Lazaretto last yearand even been involved in a guacamole scandal for some reason. But hey, this man can have all the avacados he wants – as long as he returns to belt out his own solo material and that classic The White Stripes catalogue in Byron Bay.
MUSE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqLRqzTp6Rk
Brit rockers Muse will drop their new record Drones on June 1, and will waste no time hitting the road – making an appearance at Fuji Rock Festival in July. Past years have seen the Japanese mega-event share a handful of acts with SITG, so we’re betting Muse will spread their new sounds in Australia afterwards. Also on the bill for Fuji Rock are the likes of Belle & Sebastian, Of Monsters & Men, Motorhead (!!!) and this kid…
FLUME
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slOpCrVoZzE
A certain hit with the younger demographic of SITG, Flume hasn’t released any new music in awhile – but his forthcoming album is set to be an excellent and experimental affair. Many were pulling a sad face after he decided to distance himself from the What So Not project – but let’s hope that the wait is worth it. He absolutely smashed it at SITG 2013, and there might be something special in the works for a homecoming party after Fuji Rock Festival.
MODEST MOUSE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGsf8IYP5WI
The indie faves played SITG all the way back in 2011, but having just dropped a new album in Stranger To Ourselves, we think it’s time for them to return for all the bros who rock cardigans and thick-rimmed glasses. Their last scheduled date is in Canada on July 25, so they could be in for a final day performance. We still remember when these guys we’re on The O.C, mainly because Rachel Bilson is the most perfect person to walk the earth.
TKAY MAIDZA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBv94XGsyBs
Tkay Maidza ain’t stopping. After successfully playing every festival ever invented in 2014, she’s built upon her Switch Tape mixtape with her latest single ‘M.O.B’ – and Australia is frothing to say the least. In fact, Tkay’s upcoming headline tour is basically sold out – and with a debut album scheduled for release sometime in 2015, we’ve got money on Tkay taking over SITG.
ACTION BRONSON
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=debIyWS6Byc
Yes, we know – Action Bronson cancelled two Australian tours in 2014 due to ‘recording commitments’, the number one rapper excuse next to ‘visa difficulties’ and ‘unforseen circumstances’. However, with his major label debut Mr. Wonderful dropping later this month, Bam Bam Baklava might finally have time for another Australian tour. And we think that Splendour needs at least one charismatic Albanian rapper on the bill!
