INTO THE MOSH 056: SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS | BYRON BAY REVIEW
Words by Sam and Matilda Elliott.
In what feels like a whirlwind year, we are back in Australia after a few months of being globe trotters across Europe (don't worry, we won’t brag, but will note we both have stupid sandal tans if that eases any jealousy). Only a few days after hitting Aussie soil, we are back in Byron Bay for Splendour in the Grass 2023.
The experience felt like arriving back to the familiar, an ultra-sense of calm and joy washed over us as soon as we drove into the parklands with the sunshine hitting our faces. We have been lucky enough to have been bumbling through the Byron Parklands from age 18. We are now a quarter of a century and still can’t get enough of the wondrous splendour that Splendour offers (sorry, bad pun). The COVID blip and last year's Splendy were not hitting the mark or scratching the itch we had been longing to be relieved, so coming back into a fully-fledged three days of music where we felt comfortable (and not engrossed in a multitude of mud) was cathartic.
Day 1
Skegss
The three Skegss dudes are not strangers to the Australian music festival circuit or Splendour. We went into this set knowing we were in for fun times and excellent tunes.
Anyone who has conversed with us, will know that we credit our first-ever live gig set experience to fellow Western Sydney icons, the Pist Idiots in 2017, but what we rarely mention in our spiel, is that part of this night involved a large range of artists who played under the one-night-only conglomerate as “Skegss and friends”. We feel like this little tidbit of nostalgia is relevant because this Splendour set would be the last of band member Toby’s shows with the band.
The sentiment of Toby leaving the band made classic songs such as LSD and Got on my Skateboard hit a little bit harder as the sentiment was felt across the Amphitheatre. Toby took a bit of the lead in the set as he sang his led songs for possibly the last time.
Everyone felt deep in their feelings as Toby belted out a final New York California joined by Brett from Dune Rats, a long-time friend of Skegss and fellow Splendour 2023 Alumni.
Continuing our day, we were floating through the sounds of MAY-A while enjoying the most incredible, but, overpriced loaded halloumi fries, we also jived extremely hard to RUEL.
Ocean Alley
Ocean Alley, much like Skegss, are no strangers to the festival circuit in Australia and the world. However, the boys were brought onto the lineup later in the piece following the announcement from Lewis Capaldi that he is taking a break to focus on his health.
Ocean Alley knew that they had big shoes to fill and they certainly delivered, they played a range of their soulful and groove-inducing tracking including Touch Back Down, Knees, Double Vision and many others.
One massive surprise for us punters was that Ocean Alley played their older track Partner in Crime, accompanied by the iconic Meg Mac, who just elevated that track to the heavens with her rich and hearty vocals. The new pairing of Ocean Alley and Meg Mac continued to cover Lewis Capaldi’s Someone You Love which just exuded so much heart and genuine care.
Ending the set with Confidence whilst holding onto what we can only describe as the most chill and calm baby in the world, we were enamoured with Ocean Alley’s set.
Danny Brown
Danny Brown has long been on our list of top artists to see live. The rapper hailing from Detroit, has graced our shores a few times with his sets, but we have never had the opportunity to see him let loose on stage.
Finally, we had the opportunity, and we could not have been more excited. The crowd for Danny Brown was dense and dedicated, as he clashed with Aussie heavyweights Ball Park Music and the beginning of Lizzo’s set.
It is absurd in the best possible to experience the lyricism, grasp of language and true energy that Danny Brown exudes in person. Die like a Rockstar and Lie4 were the first songs to grace the stage and get the crowd moving. His vocals were extremely fast-paced whilst not losing any of the words. It felt as though we were listening to a recording. The only thing that convinced us that we weren’t watching an incredible hologram of Danny was the fact he almost faceplanted over a speaker only to exclaim “SPLENDOUR, I COULD HAVE JUST DIED!”
The sheer passion and glee that Danny Brown exuded performing songs old and new from his extensive and evergrowing catalogue highlighted how much performance and sharing his craft means to him as a huge smile never left his face. Fans erupted with euphoria as Danny Brown gave us what we wanted and that was some new stuff. He played an unreleased track and some of his collab with JPEGMAFIA. We were particularly taken with his rendition of his classic Aint it Funny, which sent the crowd into a swirling moshpit and us hurdling into the barricade at the front, which, we cannot complain about at all.
We left the set looking for Danny Brown merch at the Splendour merch tent, only to be informed he didn’t supply the stand with merch. As soon as we finished asking, another group approached the tent with the same question - the people want merch, Danny!
Ending day one, we huddled with our fellow punters in the cold to wait for the one and only Lizzo. Immediately, we were warmed by the sheer presence of the icon. Lizzo exudes such a strong sense of self-worth and confidence and implores her audience to do the same. We left that set feeling purely happy and special. Lizzo has an incredibly unique way of making everyone feel so seen and understood. It felt like we had just embarked on the most fun therapy session ever, with a girlie getting her ass signed by the icon herself.
Day 2
Feeling a bit like we had been hit by a jetlagged fueled truck, Splendour day two we all agreed felt like day three. We couldn't believe there was more to go, and we couldn't believe we had been asleep till around midday.
Once we pulled ourselves together and got ready, it felt easier to get into the spirit. We were admittedly a bit heartbroken we missed the coolest lady and someone who is on the absolute rise to dominate, Big Wett. We urge you to try and see her live sometime or listen to one of her songs. You'll love her instantly.
Benee
This was our very first time seeing the New Zealand royalty, and in turn, it was Benee’s first time playing at Splendour, so it felt a little special. Being fans of Benee, our expectations for the icon were high but were exceeded.
Between each song, Benee was playful and so happy. It felt almost like you were on a sleepover with her giggling away and grinning, shining her sparkly assortment of tooth gems making Sam want to grow her collection from one sparkle to many like Benee.
Benee teased fans of a new album and played three of the tracks from the said upcoming album.
Ending her iconic set, Benee brings out the Aussie dream, Mallrat and the two sing a song together. We leave her set already looking forward to this new album and when we can see her perform next.
Sam Fender
An act from the other side of the world, Sam Fender dons the stage in a Newcastle tee and is surrounded by his band which consists of his best mate from primary school, his brother, and some of his best mates from his hometown.
What we loved about this set was Sam's humility. His thick accent, his excitement to get on the piss and his look of simple disbelief. It is so special to see bands or acts in this state. It is almost like a penny drop moment we get to witness first hand. They have done it. Here they are, on the other side of the world, playing a festival for the first time and they are greeted with smiling faces screaming back their crafted lyrics back at them. We definitely saw this with Sam. The appreciation and how he was just bursting with happiness was infectious. You just wanted him to do well.
A highlight from his set was one of his singles Spit of You, dedicated to his dad and their relationship. Photos of the two of them were projected behind Sam and we reckon someone was cutting onions.
At the end of the set, Sam promised two things, he was going to have a belter night to celebrate, and he was coming back to Aussie shores in 2024. We can't wait for the return of the enigma, and can only hope his head wasn't too sore after his celebrations.
Flume
Ten years on, here he is. The man on everyone's mind, Flume. We felt a little nostalgic, little Sam and Matilda pushing the self-titled Flume album in 2012 and watching coverage of the Splendour that year across Channel V (may you rest in peace). We longed to be there in the grass with the cool millennials of 2012. Maybe our awkward 14-year-old selves would have made more friends than we had in school at the time.
We reckon you'd be pretty hard-pressed to find any Australian who does not like him. Flume creates music that Aussies can feel proud of when they share artists across the globe.
Flume is the King of collaborating. This makes us think he must be a pretty great guy to be around as well as a musician. He brought out icons to sing their collaborations including, MAY-A, Vera Blue, Kučka, Tove Lo and Tkay Maidza which made the set more nostalgic seeing all the energies on stage.
We left day two feeling energised and fresh. Buzzing for the day ahead and a little sad it was almost coming to an end.
Day 3
Now actually our third day, we’re exhausted, but more in the swing of things. We think it's because it'll be our last time at the parklands for some time given the New Year's festival we usually attend; Falls will be on a year hiatus. Looking at the landscape feels a bit more special. We are taking as many mental pictures as we can.
We spent our last day glinting across as many acts as possible and felt as though we were kids in a candy store, getting to indulge in the biggest variety of sweet audible treats possible.
We got to indulge in The Vanns, Noah Cyrus, Young Franco, and, a tiny bit of Thelma Plum. We were in a world of happiness getting to experience so much passion and variety of the beautiful art we set out to see.
Hilltop Hoods
These guys were the saviours of 2019’s Splendour when Chance The Rapper pulled out of the festival days before his headline slot. The Hoods got their time on the Amphitheatre again to what looked like a group of sardines. We are not sure if we had seen the Amphitheatre that packed all weekend, excluding headliners.
We couldn't believe the men and their energy. The two of them zipping across both sides of the stage effortlessly whilst still maintaining their pace and rhythm perfectly. It was both impressive and terrifying.
Finally, The boys sang crowd favourite Cosby Sweater, after yelling to the crowd “Fuck Bill Cosby!” (Excellent touch). Incredible acts, JK-47, JessB and ZPLUTO joined the boys and sang their own verses to include on the statement song, making it in our opinion that much better. Hilltop Hoods, can you please record and release this version for us?
Admittedly, that was our headline for Day 3, jetlag, lack of sleep and travel back to the QLD border that night had us exhausted. We could not have left on a better high though. Being at the festival with our bestie and just experiencing the music the way we always are always a somewhat cathartic feeling. Thanks again Splendour, you will be missed until 2024!