The Weekend Series: five non-music-related activities to upgrade your Splendour in the Grass experience
Yeah yeah, we know you’re all about the music. But hear us out. The fine folks at Splendour in the Grass have been perfecting their extra-curricular offerings each year, adding an impressive compilation of escapes for when you need a break from your intensely ‘festive’ mates or the beats of the Tipi Forest. Whether you want to get crafty, hang out with Dr Karl, have a good belly laugh, smash some organic doughnuts or flee the festival altogether, we’ve got you covered.
Visa Cinema in the Grass
Maybe you’re feeling a little dusty in the mornings or simply need to give the old bones a rest between Splendour in the Grass sets. Get horizontal and enjoy the amazing line-up of flicks at Visa Cinema in the Grass, located near the GW McLennan tent. From Empire Records to Straight Outta Compton and Bohemian Rhapsody, the cinema timetable is almost as tempting as the festival’s musical line-up – plus there will be free phone charging and a sparkling water station available. With screenings kicking off from 9:30 am each morning, it’s the perfect time-filler for weary campers waiting for the music to rev up.
Splendour in the Craft
Crafty cats, unite. This one’s for you. If your Splendour in the Grass timetable needs a little padding out to get you through the gaps in bands, check out the huge array of free hands-on workshops available at Splendour in the Craft. From constructing lanterns for your campsite to curating your own signature essential oil scent, these tutorials will add a touch of sticky fun and sparkle to your Splendour bender.
Science, chats and LOLs
If the between-song banter just isn’t cutting it, head to The Science Tent, the Splendour Forum or the Splendour Comedy Club to hear from activists, thinkers, politicians, creatives, scientists, artists and comedians. Science Tent experts will discuss important topics such as the science behind a shoey and whether fish actually drink water, while in the Splendour Forum Marc Fennell from SBS’s The Feed will chat to Courtney Barnett, Allday, Jacob Banks and Will Connolly (aka Eggboy) and a panel of thinkers will query “Is it environmentally responsible to be human?” Over at the Splendour Comedy Club, headliners including Matt Okine, Gen Fricker, Luke McGregor and Nazeem Hussain will be tickling funny bones Thursday through to Sunday nights.
Indulge in festival food
A decent belly-lining feed could make the difference between one of the best nights of live music you’ve ever experienced, or going home early with no memory of all the bands you shelled out to see. This year, festival organisers are taking things up a notch with Icebergs x Splendour – a special culinary pop-up where you can sample three courses of Italian delights in a scenic backstage venue during a scheduled two-hour sitting. Alternatively, swing by one of the festival’s three food halls dotted across the parklands, The Truck Stop for street-style eats, or Sydney icons Mary’s and Mary’s Pizzeria (pictured) in the VIP Village.
Flee the fest
If you’re craving a breather from the North Byron Parklands and its shimmering sea of portaloos, hop on the highway and get your feet on the sand anywhere along the coast. There are plenty of new hotspots and old favourites to take your mind off the party anxiety, from the non-judging animals and life-giving Portuguese custard tarts at The Farm to the calming ocean scenes of the Cape Byron walking track. Head in to the new Arts & Industrial Estate of Byron for a warm-up bevvy at Stone & Wood Brewery, some smoothie sustenance from Bare Blends, a belly-lining feast at Barrio or a spot of shopping at Habitat. Those needing a serious chill could head to Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens to take five inside an amethyst cave or gather their thoughts with a rainforest stroll.
