With the 22nd edition of Splendour in the Grass announced to go down from 19 – 21 July, we thought it was about time to get the crystal ball out and begin to speculate as to whom might be playing the North Byron Parklands this July. With a strong history of booking the cream of the crop both domestic and international, let us begin the process of putting together the clues on who we think will playing the main stages in a few short months.
International
Lana Del Rey – Twelve years since she last played the festival, it’s been a half-decade since the American has been in the country. With multiple acclaimed albums released in the past few years, Lana Del Rey is primed for a headline slot this July.
Fred Again … – Yes, he’s in the country currently, but Fred Again is guaranteed to sell tickets. In a tricky economic climate, the English producer is the most sure bet for Splendour to sell tickets this year.
Maggie Rogers – Having played the festival in 2017, Maggie Rogers was last in the country for Vivid Live 2019. With another album under the belt, another due for release this April and a Splendour sized gap in her schedule, Maggie looks primed to be rewarded with the second-to-last slot in the amphitheatre one night.
The Last Dinner Party – The hype band of 2023, I’d be very surprised if the band aren’t announced on the lineup. With their debut album Prelude to Ecstasy released in February this year, there isn’t a better time than now to play their first shows on Australian soil.
No Doubt – Could Gwen Stefani and co be headed our way? Announced as a surprise headliner at Coachella, the Ska-Punk rockers playing a set full of hits would be a great way to start the festival with a headline slot on the Friday.
Olivia Rodrigo – Two albums in and Olivia Rodrigo is yet to make it to our shores. Edging closer to headline status across the globe, surely it’s about time Rodrigo heads our way, with a couple headline shows thrown in for good measure.
RAYE – Only in the country a few weeks back, RAYE has taken the world by storm, and by all accounts, Australia too. I’m sure a slot in the Mix Up tent on the Saturday night is exactly what the doctor would order for the Splendour crowd.
girl in red – Booked on Fuji Rock festival in Japan the week after Splendour, girl in red is the exact type of act that Splendour has traditionally loved to book. Playing shows all year long, I’d be confident seeing the Norwegian artist grace the Amphitheatre stage this July.
Fontaine’s DC – Last in the country for Laneway Festival 2023, the boys from the better land are in tour mode throughout the European summer, and with no dates announced for late July, could they be headed back to our shores in a few months’ time?
Australian contingent
Middle Kids – With their third album Faith Crisis Pt.1 released in February this year, the Sydney legends are primed to absolute smash a late afternoon or early evening set. Let’s lock them in.
Angie McMahon – Could a Sunday night slot over in the GW McLennan tent by McMahon be the perfect closing set for the festival? With her second album, Light, Dark, Light Again doing absolute numbers on album of the year lists last year, Angie McMahon is primed for a triumphant set at Splendour.
King Stingray – back in the lab recording album 2, King Stingray is the perfect festival band. With so many hits already loved by the Australian crowd, I’d be pretty confident seeing this band announced when the lineup drops.
TISM – this is more of a personal wish, but just image the scenes if “Greg! The Stop Sign” into “(He’ll Never Be An) Ol’ Man River” were performed just as the sun sets on the Friday. Having released a surprise EP in December last year while also playing a smattering of festival shows in the past 18 months, they have recent form in wooing and winning over fans old and new.
Splendour in the Grass is taking place at the North Byron Parklands, Yelgun from 19-21 July 2024. For more information, head here.
