Top 5 Splendour Bands you mightn't have heard of…

As well as delivering some of the biggest names in Australian and International music, the annual Splendour in the Grass festival continually delivers an impressive collection of ‘bands on the fringe’ – the sorts of artists you mightn’t be familiar with YET, but by the guestimate of the organisers, but the time you see them at Splendour, you’ll be a fan for life. And we do have to say… they have a damn good knack for this sort of thing.

Here is a look now at the 5 bands who we think best fit this category – bands who you not only ought to discover, but ought to get excited about seeing in the beautiful surrounds of Woodfordia…

Mosman Alder are a Brisbane based band making a whole heap of waves at the moment with tracks like “Raisin Heart” and “Williamson Girls”. It’s helped, too, that they’ve recently supported bands like The Besnard Lakes, Final Flash, Deep Sea Arcade, Hungry Kids of Hungary… just to name a few.

From all reports, this six piece, made up of four guys and two girls, are a joy to experience live – with Robyn’s violin a feature consistently highlighted by reviewers. We’re pretty damn excited to see these guys amongst a strong Brisbane presence at the festival.

Who they remind us of? Wild Beasts! Who are also playing the festival.

Learn more about the band at their Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/mosmanalder

Though from the USA, Marques Toliver made his mark on the music world as a street performer in London. Adele, TV On The Radio, Grizzly Bear and Bat For Lashes are amongst the artists who have collaborated with the talented (and unique) violinist, and it’s no wonder why… the guy has an incredible voice, and is indeed ridiculously talented on the violin. He should warm the hearts of the festival with a heartfelt and energetic performance – especially if his reception at SXSW is anything to go by.

Marques Toliver’s debut EP Butterflies Are Not Free is out NOW on Bella Union.

Download his track “Deep In My Heart” here…

Who he reminds us of? John Legend and Andrew Bird having a child…

Mona are a hard working rock and roll band from Nashville, who are just about to release their debut, self-titled album on 16th May. Tracks “Listen To Your Love”, “Trouble On the Way” and “Teenager” have already made the rounds – with the group making waves thanks to an appearance on Later… with Jools Holland, a featured spot on BBC’s Sound of 2011 and winning MTV’s Brand New for 2011 Award.

They’re developing a reputation as a great live band and we can’t wait to check them out at Splendour!

Who they remind us of? Early Kings of Leon… think “The Bucket”!

OK so Ghoulsound nothing like the Oakland thrash metal band of the same name. The Sydney group are an experimental breath of fresh air in a scene where everything is starting to sound the same – and their live show is pretty damn flash, too.

PVT’s Laurence Pike, who has shared the stage with the Sydney band, has this to say: “Their music can be abstract, atmospheric, intensely rhythmic and at times defies conventional structures, yet it’s fiercely melodic, inventive and accessible, maintaining a focus worthy of repeated listening”

Who they remind us of? We Say Bamboulee and Fishing meets Antony (and the Johnsons).

Of this list, Grouplove are the band I’m going to assume you’re already familiar with – but possibly not by name. The average punter will, however, know them from their incredible track “Colours”.

Having caught these guys in Austin for SXSW, I can tell you this: they are an amazing live band who WILL get the party started at Splendour in the Grass. Don’t miss these guys… and here’s our chat with the band right after they performed in Texas!

Who they remind us of? Cloud Control! Who played the festival last year and return this year!

A special mention has to also go to Seeker Lover Keeper – a band most of us definitely haven’t heard of before. But they didn’t quite fit the guidelines for this list as the band is comprised of three very familiar names: Sally Seltmann, Holly Throsby and Sarah Blasko. The one things we’d like to know? Who’s Seeker, who’s Lover and who’s Keeper?

I guess you’ll have to make up your own mind when they play Splendour in the Grass. Tickets are on sale on Thursday, May 5th, and more details can be found here: http://splendourinthegrass.com/

Larry Heath

Founding Editor and Publisher of the AU review. Currently based in Toronto, Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @larry_heath or on Instagram @larryheath.