Splendour in the Grass

Splendour in the Grass is an Australian music festival held at North Byron Parklands in Byron Bay, New South Wales. Founded in 2001 by Secret Sounds (now owned by Live Nation), it was Australia's largest winter music festival, running annually in July until it entered hiatus. The last edition ran July 21 to 23, 2023, headlined by Lizzo, Flume, and Mumford and Sons, with supporting acts including Yeah Yeah Yeahs, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, J Balvin, IDLES, Sam Fender, Little Simz, and Danny Brown. The 2024 edition was cancelled weeks after its lineup announcement (which included Kylie Minogue, Future, and Arcade Fire as headliners). The 2025 edition was also cancelled. As of mid-2026, no future dates have been confirmed.

How Splendour in the Grass Works (When Active)

When operational, Splendour runs for three days in late July at North Byron Parklands, a 660-acre property north of Byron Bay. The festival operates multiple stages:

1. Amphitheatre: The main stage, hosting headliners and the largest crowds (capacity approximately 35,000).
2. Mix Up Stage: A tent stage for mid-tier acts and electronic music.
3. Tiny Dancer: A smaller stage for emerging and independent artists.
4. Tipi Forest: A late-night area for DJs and electronic acts, running until 2 AM.

Tickets are sold through Moshtix. Pass types include three-day festival passes (with and without camping), single-day passes, and VIP packages. Camping is available on-site at the North Byron Parklands campground, with options for tent camping, car camping, and pre-pitched tents. Prices for the 2023 edition ranged from approximately $295 AUD ($195 USD) for three-day GA to over $600 AUD ($400 USD) for VIP.

The festival is organized by Secret Sounds, a Live Nation subsidiary. Co-founders Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco launched the festival in 2001 at the Byron Bay Belongil Fields before moving to Woodfordia in Queensland (2010, 2011) and then to North Byron Parklands (2012 onward, with some years at Tyagarah). Ducrou departed Secret Sounds in 2024.

Real-World Example: The Hiatus (2024 to Present)

The 2024 edition was announced with a strong lineup: Kylie Minogue, Future, and Arcade Fire as headliners, with Fontaines D.C., Turnstile, girl in red, G Flip, Baby Gravy (bbno$ and Yung Gravy), and Middle Kids on the bill. Tickets went on sale, and the festival was cancelled within weeks. Organizers cited "unexpected events" without providing specifics.

In January 2025, organizers confirmed via social media that Splendour would not return that year, stating: "Splendour needs a little more time to recharge and we won't be back this year." They hinted at "lots of other huge events on the horizon" but did not confirm a 2026 return.

As of mid-2026, no dates have been announced. Live Nation stated they support the festival team's decision to return "when they feel the time is right." The hiatus has been attributed to a combination of factors: the muddy 2022 edition (which faced severe weather and logistics issues), an undersold 2023 edition, rising production costs, and broader challenges in the Australian festival market. Multiple Australian festivals cancelled their 2024 editions, including Groovin the Moo, Harvest Rock, and Spilt Milk.

The 2023 edition (the last to run) featured Lizzo, Flume, and Mumford and Sons as headliners. It drew approximately 50,000 attendees across three days but was reported to have undersold compared to pre-pandemic editions.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

When operational, Splendour in the Grass is one of the most important festival bookings for Australian and international independent artists. The festival has a history of programming emerging acts on its smaller stages (Tiny Dancer, Tipi Forest) alongside global headliners. Artists like Flume, Tame Impala, and Courtney Barnett played early-career sets at Splendour before achieving international recognition.

For Australian independent artists, a Splendour booking provides exposure to 50,000 attendees and significant media coverage across Australian music publications (triple j, Music Feeds, The Music). International artists benefit from the festival's position as a gateway to the Australian market, with many using a Splendour booking to anchor a broader Australian tour.

The booking process (when the festival is active):

1. The booking team monitors Australian and international streaming data, radio play (particularly triple j), and touring history.
2. Work with a booking agent who has relationships with Secret Sounds or Live Nation's Australian festival division.
3. Submit through industry channels during the booking window, typically 6 to 9 months before the event.
4. Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to track streaming growth in the Australian market.

Potential Drawbacks / Things to Consider

• Current hiatus: The festival has not run since 2023 and no return date has been confirmed. Do not plan around a Splendour booking until an official announcement is made.
• Weather risk: The 2022 edition was plagued by severe mud and flooding, leading to attendee complaints and reputational damage. July is winter in Australia, and the Byron Bay region is prone to heavy rainfall.
• Site access issues: North Byron Parklands is a rural site with limited access roads. Traffic congestion on entry and exit days is severe, with wait times of several hours reported in some years.
• Camping requirements: The festival is designed around on-site camping. Non-camping attendees face long daily commutes from Byron Bay or surrounding towns.
• Market uncertainty: The broader Australian festival market has experienced significant contraction since 2023. Multiple festivals have cancelled or entered hiatus. The viability of large-scale camping festivals in Australia is under question.
• Organizational changes: Co-founder Jessica Ducrou departed Secret Sounds in 2024, creating uncertainty about the festival's creative direction upon return.

Monitor the official Splendour in the Grass website and social media for return announcements.

Related Resources

• Music Festivals Directory - Explore other Australian and international festivals
• Streaming Royalty Calculator - Track streaming growth in the Australian market
• Tour Revenue Calculator - Plan an Australian tour budget
• 21 Ways Musicians Can Earn Income - Festival performances as a revenue stream