After cancelled flights and last minute logistic changes, I eventually arrived at Woodfordia, QLD in time for day two of Australia’s biggest music event, Splendour in The Grass Festival.
Fitz and the Tantrums brought the funk soul brothers and sisters out early on. The US six piece was without a doubt the best kept secret of the festival. Attracting a small but fervent crowd at the mix up tent they completely owned, winning many a new fan (myself included) with catchy old times rockin’ soul and a mad jazz infused cover of classic Eurythmics dancefloor filler, Sweet Dreams and ending with a raucous rendition of current single Money Grabber.
Over in the Splendour Forum, comedian and long time festival favourite, Wil Anderson was leading a Q&A with Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell. The man behind veteran music institution Lollapolooza spoke all things parties, festivals and Gaga to a studiously eager crowd of fans.
Attempting to catch a glimpse of Foster The People was wishful thinking, with a sea of sweaty human bodies clouding the Mix Up tent as far as the eye could see. Regardless, their catchy indie hits rolled through the masses and only accentuated their position as major festival drawcard.
Femme supergroup Seeker Lover Keeper (Sally Seltmann, Sarah Blasko and Holly Throsby) won over the GW McLennan tent, their flawless vocal harmonies and whimsical folk tunes converting the stadium to an intimate tea party-esque setting and ending with an adorable cover of Stevie Nicks’ Wild Heart.
The night’s party was kicked off with a dose of skitz with the hyperactive stylings of The Grates, followed by a set of 80s infused indie favourites from Architecture in Helsinki. After the Aston Shuffle started a rave in the Mix Up tent, old school dub pioneers Thievery Corporation brought it back down with a sweet mix of chilled beats and swag literally pumping out the speakers.
Back up the hill, New Yorker Regina Spektor quietly wooed the GW McLennan tent with just herself and a grand piano, leaving not a dry eye in the house. A small crowd hit up the sizable Amphitheatre for the legendary Jane’s Addiction, accompanied by two twin-like burlesque dancers. As they busted out hits from way before my time and I watched Perry Farrell strut around in purple velvet trousers and a long black blazer, his dark hair on end and pale complexion shining in the lights, I couldn’t help thinking… Vampire! Vampire! Vampire!
But PNAU were the superstars of the night, the Mix Up tent once again spilling over as they delighted happy, bleary punters with a selection of dancefloor ragers of new and old.
