Coachella vs Splendour In The Grass : Music Festival Battle

Don’t lie. We know you spent the last few Fridays at your desk, earphones in, marvelling (read: sooking) at Coachella and all it’s glorious hipsters and holograms. Now that you’ve had a chance to talk your boss in to keeping you at work, what else can you look forward to?

Why you silly kid, Splendour of course!

We strongly believe that Splendour in the Grass, the annual 3-day music festival being held in Byron Bay this year, is Australia’s answer to the depressingly awesome Coachella.

Where else are you going to find acts like Jack White and Lana Del Ray, mixed with a bunch of hippies, girls dressed in Native American theme and celebrities trying to avoid the paps? (Hellooooo, Kate Moss was there last year.)

So without further ado, let us outline our predictions for this year’s Splendour in the Grass festival and why it is easily comparable to Coachella.

1. The Music

Coachella : As I watched Snoop perform at Coachella I thought to myself; “Oh my! Who is that handsome man with the hot body that Snoop is rapping along with?” The IDIOT writing didn’t realise it was a hologram OR that it was Tupac… THAT’S HOW GOOD IT WAS.

Radiohead was a big pull both weekends mixing up their new stuff with their old stuff, playing a total of 41 tracks over both performances (wowzers.) However some attendees were bummed they didn’t play more classic tracks…

Splendour: I’m not sure we can expect any holograms, pardon, ‘two-dimensional projections’ at Splendour, but if we are lucky enough I hope to hell it looks like this.

Smashing Pumpkins were a surprise on the line-up for me as I am not overly familiar with their tunes, however I have noticed that if you like them, you BLOODY LOVE THEM. For my sake though, let’s hope they blast some old tracks so I don’t look like a complete loser.

Our Pick: Azealia Banks doing 212 is sure to bring the house down. Hold on to your pants for that one.

2. The Festival

Coachella: This is not a joke – many festival-goers lost a HEAP of weight over their Coachella festivities. Many succumbed to the Coachella Diet of hot weather, lack of sleep and general boozing (that’s my kinda diet.)

Coachella is held in a Californian desert, there are seas of tents and because of the weather all you need is a pillow if you do plan to sleep.

Splendour: My previous effort at Splendour was at Woodford last year however in 2012 the festival is moving back to Byron Bay. I’m not sure if there is a dramatic temperature difference but I can tell you this, it got cold at night. Very, very cold.

There are various different camping grounds, including a TeePee Village (it’s just as awesome as it sounds) but if you want to do it properly hire out a hippie van with a mattress inside – you’ll appreciate that mattress after 12 hours of dancing.

Our pick: If you can, book in a motel or grab a nearby apartment as the festival is only held 25 minutes walk away. You know you’ll want a hot shower in the morning…

3. The Fashion

Coachella: OH HI THERE HIPSTER! If Kate Bosworth has taught us anything (does she make movies anymore, or does she just pose at Coachella full time?) the hipster look is well and truly alive. Short floral dresses, Doc Martens and nerd glasses were a must-have for this season.

Or if you happen to be Chanel Iman you could just go nude.

Splendour: The 70s boho look was very much alive last year and I predict the same for 2012. Ombre hair, cut off denim shorts and crop tops.

However, the Native American look will no doubt infiltrate the Splendour scene. Expect feathery headpieces, a helluvalot of face paint and a lot of fringing on bags, shirts and shorts. It can be a pretty cool look if done right, but on mass it looks a bit like a dress-up party…

Our Pick: Boys, get yourself a Hawaiian shirt and flannel for warmth ASAP. Please no novelty shirts or band tees – don’t be that guy.

Girls, for the love of God dress for comfort. A floaty dress, gumboots and baggy jumper (wrapped around the hips until it gets cold) will go a LONG WAY, plus you will look incredibly trendy without trying to hard.

What do you think? Is Splendour in the Grass Australia’s answer to Coachella?

Tickets for Splendour in the Grass 2012 – SOLD OUT

Splendour in the Grass will take place at Belongil Fields, Byron Bay from Friday 27 th July to Sunday 29th July.

Go to http://www.splendourinthegrass.com for more info.