2011.07.30 North Byron Parklands, Woodford, Australia
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 1:34 pm
http://www.skynews.com.au/showbiz/artic ... 43686&vId=Splendour In The Grass opens its gates
Updated: 18:24, Thursday July 28, 2011
The gates have opened at Splendour In The Grass with organisers behind the festival promising a show to remember.
The weekend of live music will feature headline sets by Kanye West, Jane's Addiction and Coldplay, plus more than 100 acts in the festival's most expensive line-up to date.
As eager fans arrived at Woodford, in southern Queensland, ahead of Friday's start of the three-day festival, it was revealed that millions of dollars had been spent on artists and site improvements with the intention of creating the most diverse festival experience in Australia.
'It's by far the broadest line up we've ever assembled,' organiser Jess Ducrou told AAP.
'It was quite difficult to put together but we want to have a diverse line up of acts and represent as many genres as possible.'
The two biggest acts, Coldplay and Kanye West, were approached this time last year leading to months of careful negotiations.
Neither will perform concerts anywhere else in Australia and both are believed to have tailored their performances especially for Splendour.
'Certainly the level of headliner is by far the biggest we've ever had and if the preparation for their shows is any indication they're going to be absolutely phenomenal,' Ducrou said.
'I really think it's going to be a once in a lifetime experience.'
Despite the big draws, Splendour In The Grass has struggled with ticket sales, with camping passes exceeding the $500 mark for the first time.
With only 90 per cent sold, last minute fans are being invited to buy tickets on the gate with the price decreasing as the weekend passes.
As well as the big names, also including Pulp, The Hives, Elbow and Regina Spektor, the team behind Splendour have been working towards making the festival easier to manoeuvre. New attractions have been added and venue sizes increased.
The sun has been shining all week on the 'Woodfordia' site with weather forecasters indicating a sunny weekend with temperatures in the mid 20s.
Punters are still advised to pack for chilly nights and Ducrou said fans should also look after themselves and their friends.
'Take it easy, pace yourself and enjoy the weekend because you don't want to peak too early,' she offered.
With the festival likely to attract its usual array of celebrities to Splendour, speculation is mounting on whether music WAGS Kate Moss or Gwyneth Paltrow will be making the trip, but Ducrou claims not to know.
'I've honestly heard of no request for access but of course we would love to have them,' she said.
Organisers hope this year will be Splendour's last at Woodford as they push ahead with a planning application to return the festival to a permanent site in Byron Bay.