OFFICIAL 2012 LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT

Greetings music lovers! After weeks of speculation, the time has finally come.

In 2012 SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS embarks on a new chapter in the life of Australia’s favourite winter festival. Back home at Byron Bay, from July 27 to 29 Splendour will once again transform Belongil Fields into the ultimate playground for music and arts enthusiasts.

Splendour returns to Byron Bay with 3 full days of knockout talent from around the globe! And while the site will feel familiar to many, it will also include all the bells and whistles from 2011.

“The show has grown over the past few years with the addition of an extra day. We have a bunch more bands on the lineup and new venues like The Forum, the Very Small Mall and Day Spa etcetera plus we’ve got some surprises in store this year. It will definitely be the best Splendour ever staged in Byron Bay” said Splendour co-producers Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco.

In 2012 Splendour will host its most eclectic gathering of artists to date. Over three mammoth days, punters will pick and choose from a lineup that showcases a host of “White” hot international acts – from brand new to massively respected and innovative trailblazers – alongside many of Australia’s finest artists and festival favourites.

The twelfth SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS event will also include all of the event’s most loved festival features…

The GLOBAL VILLAGE is so Byron Bay! It’s back with all the performances, workshops, markets stalls and global food fair that everyone loves.

It just wouldn’t be Splendour without the TIPI FOREST and as all seasoned Splendour punters know, venture here and be prepared to lose all track of time!

Need to brush up your festival fashion? Check out the VERY SMALL MALL and while you’re at it you might want to book a treatment at the SPLENDOUR DAY SPA to be looking your splendiferous best when you meet your mates at the COCKTAIL BAR. Here you’ll find a different club each night including Melbourne’s Survivor, Sydney’s Good God, Brisbane’s Cobra Kai and Byron Bay’s own Sunday Safari.

The SPLENDID ARTS PROGRAM will once again present a series of dynamic and interactive artworks. Keep on the lookout for artists and their work as it emerges across the site throughout the weekend.

As Splendour is a bigger show than it was when last staged at Belongil Fields, this year there will be noCAMPING on site but hey, it’s okay. A beautiful, beachside campground will be set up off-site at NORTH BEACH CAMPGROUND on Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay. It’s within easy walking distance of the festival or you can catch one of the free shuttle buses. You’ll find more information about camping at splendourinthegrass.com.

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS has a history of delivering innovative environmental initiatives to lighten our carbon footprint. Over the years, SPLENDOUR and its army of committed enviro-savvy punters have offset thousands of tonnes of carbon via carbon-offset tickets and on site recycling programs. Watch this space for info about how you can help to keep SPLENDOUR green!

Now, time to cut to the chase, SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS is proud as punch to present you with the artists who will grace the Supertop, Mix Up Stage and GW McLennan Tent this year….

Plus DJ’s:

TICKET PRICES

3 Day Tickets – $350* + booking fees
Gains entry to the event site on Thursday night as well as Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Single Day Tickets – $135* + booking fees
For day by day band listing check the website!

North Beach Campground Tickets
Camping Ticket – $99 + booking fees

*you have the option to offset your carbon emissions for $3 per ticket

TICKETS ON SALE

9am start AEST on Thursday 5 May through Moshtix or phone 1300 GET TIX (438 849)

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR FINAL EVENT DETAILS IN COMING WEEKS!

Splendour in the grass 2012

Friday 29, Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 July
Belongil Fields, Byron Bay

Tickets on sale 9am EST May 5th

SPLENDOUR 2012 ARTIST INFO

JACK WHITE
Jack White is one of the most prolific, unique and renowned artists of the past 15 years. In January he announced the upcoming release of his debut solo album ‘Blunderbuss’, which will drop globally on April 20. He’s performing a string of tour dates across the world in support of this release including a recent blistering set at SXSW and shows at Lollapalooza and Fuji, with a set list that includes a heady mix of White Stripes, Raconteurs, Dead Weather and tracks from his new solo album. He tours with both an all male and an all female band and only decides on each show day which band he’ll play with. We’re excited to see what Jack pulls out of the bag at Splendour in the Grass.

BLOC PARTY (ONLY AUSTRALIAN SHOW)
It’s been three years since Bloc Party toured Australia – stampeding across the country and selling over 40 000 tickets. They’ll head back to Splendour in 2012 with a set list that includes tracks form a new album as well as all the tunes we love them for!

SMASHING PUMPKINS
After more than two decades in the industry, Smashing Pumpkins have created one of the most acclaimed bodies of work in musical history having sold more than 30 million albums, and won multiple Grammy awards in the process. The pivotal group’s many hits defined the alternative music era and continue to resonate on modern rock radio, influencing a whole new generation. Smashing Pumpkins will deliver a set that spans the breadth of their hit laden back catalogue alongside tracks from their forthcoming 2012 release ‘Oceania’.

AT THE DRIVE-IN (ONLY AUSTRALIAN SHOW)
Undeniably one of the one most influential post-hardcore bands of all time, iconic Texan punk rockers At the Drive-In are back. It has been over a decade since the band released their seminal album ‘Relationship of Command’, blew away Aussie fans on the 2001 Big Day Out tour and announced their decision to call it quits. After blowing fans away at Coachella we’re proud to present At the Drive-In performing their only Australian show.

THE SHINS
It’s been a while between drinks but fresh from owning the stage at Coachella and with a new album under their belt, we welcome The Shins back to Splendour. It’s been over a decade since the world fell in love with The Shins debut album, Oh, Inverted World. The long awaited follow-up to 2007′s Grammy-nominated gold-certified Wincing the Night Away, their fourth album, Port of Morrow features the triple j favourite ‘Simple Song’ and proves these indie rockers only get better with time.

HILLTOP HOODS
The Hilltop Hoods return! Their album ‘State of the Art’ was the biggest selling Australian Hip Hop album of all time holding the number one spot for two weeks and winning two ARIAs. Their new album ‘Drinking From the Sun’ was sitting at #1 two weeks from debut with the first single ‘I Love It’, featuring the amazing Sia, released to widespread acclaim and reaching double platinum status in no time flat.

THE KOOKS (ONLY AUSTRALIAN SHOW)
Following huge headline sets at Falls Festival and gearing up for Fuji Rock, UK Britpop band The Kooks head back to OZ for their only Australian show at Splendour 2012. Their live stage show and catchy songs have been tried and tested around the globe everywhere from Germany and Dubai to Mexico and Austin. Their single ‘Junk Of The Heart’ made this year’s Triple J Hottest 100 and they continue to be favourites amongst listeners since their 2006 debut.

GOSSIP
Since their most recent album, which sold over 1 million copies globally, Gossip have toured extensively, covering the major music festival circuits, making appearances at Coachella in the US, Rock am Ring in Germany and Glastonbury in the UK. Ever-evolving and perpetually defying convention, Gossip is back with their fifth studio album, A Joyful Noise and ready to rock Splendour.

MIIKE SNOW
The Swedish indie pop outfit have just followed up the release of their highly-anticipated new album ‘Happy To You’ with blistering sets at SXSW and Coachella and are set to play Fuji Rock, Lollapalooza, T In The Park, Reading, Leeds and now Splendour! Their musical genius has been employed by artists such as Madonna, Kylie Minogue and Kelis and they have remixed tracks for Depeche Mode, Passion Pit, Peter Bjorn and John, Kings of Leon, I Blame Coco and Vampire Weekend. Miike Snow is a back as big, bold and bright as ever before.

DIRTY THREE (ONLY AUSTRALIAN SHOW)
Dirty Three’s live appearances are legendary and a reflection of the band’s standing on the international stage. Their recent run of Australian shows saw audiences swooning. In 2012 Dirty Three will boldly break cover with “Toward The Low Sun”, their remarkable new album. Firm audience favourites, Dirty Three will perform a very special and exclusive Australian show at Splendour 2012 and we’re so proud to have them!

LANA DEL REY
Introduced to many of her fans through her DIY video for “Video Games”, few contemporary artists have generated as much hype as Lana Del Rey. Her darkly glamorous album ‘Born to Die’ debuted at #1 on iTunes in eighteen countries and attracted over a million in sales worldwide. Ladies and Gentlemen, Splendour in the Grass is proud to welcome to our shores, Lana Del Rey. 360 With a #5 single and triple platinum album, two sell-out national tours and the Channel [V] Oz Artist 2011 award there is no doubting 360′s current position in the Australian music landscape. His summer single ‘Boys Like You’ featuring fellow Splendour artist Gossling skyrocketed to #3 on the ARIA single charts, eventaully reaching platinum status and after 6 months his album is still at a very healthy #12 on the charts.

AZEALIA BANKS
Dubbed ‘the artist to watch in 2012′ Azealia Banks promises to deliver one of the most talked about performances of Splendour. Having topped NME’s annual ‘Cool List’ and with over 10.8 million YouTube views, the momentum for this 20-year-old Harlem lyricist continues to reach a fever pitch across the globe. She just chewed it up at Coachella with one of the most talked about performances of the first weekend and she’s also provided the soundtrack to Splendour’s lineup announce video. We love Azealia!

TAME IMPALA
With their highly-anticpated second album due in September and two hot new singles on the way, Tame Impala return to Splendour in their only Australian show for the next 18 months. Tame Impala has quickly grown into one of Australia’s most loved outfits and taken their unique 60s inspired music to the world stage. Their debut album “Innerspeaker” won them masses of fans with the hits Solitude is Bliss, Lucidity and Expectation and won the prestigious J Award for Australian Album of the Year 2010. We can’t wait to see them at Splendour in the Grass!

EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY (ONLY AUSTRALIAN SHOW)
Instrumental Texan quartet Explosions In The Sky bring their powerfully intense live show to Splendour in the Grass. Equal parts romance and tragedy, their beautiful melodies have the tendency to ignite into head-spinning walls of noise. Explosions In The Sky will head to Australia straight from Fuji Rock and play exclusively for Splendour 2012.

BAND OF SKULLS
They just played to massive crowds at both SXSW and Coachella. They blew Splendour punters away in 2010 and they are coming back to do that and more in 2012! The Southhampton trio return with an album of fresh material featuring hits like “Sweet Sour”, “Lies” and “The Devil Takes Care Of His Own”. With catchy melodies and crunchy riffs, the feverish response to Band Of Skulls in the USA, Australia, across Europe and pretty much everywhere else is little surprise.

LADYHAWKE
With irresistible hooks, fresh beats and ear-grabbing synth sounds, Ladyhawke returns to rock the Splendour stage in 2012. Her brilliant self-titled 2008 debut, shot Ladyhawke, aka Pip Brown, to stardom particularly in Britain and the Antipodes, where the New Zealand-born singer-songwriter soon gathered up armfuls of awards. Her follow-up Anxiety will surely exceed all previous achievements.

THE AFGHAN WHIGS
Ladies and Gentlemen, performing for the very first time on our shores, please give a very big Splendour welcome to The Afghan Whigs. The recently reformed Whigs first began in Cincinnati in 1986, their combination of sheer volume, audacious personality, gritty soul immediacy and swinging musical chops propelling them to the top tier of the alternative music scene and winning fans with their idiosyncratic fervour. On a reunion tour which also includes Lollapalooza, Pukklepop and Primavera, this Splendour performance – 25 years after their first live show in 1987 – promises to be a most unpredictable experience.

MISSY HIGGINS
After selling over a million albums and touring the world performing much loved songs like “Scar”, “Steer” and “The Special Two”, Australia’s favourite songstress is back and armed with her first new material in five years for your listening pleasure. Fresh in sound but unmistakably direct in attitude, her third album is straight from the heart and sure to make Splendour audiences fall in love all over again with Missy Higgins.

WOLFMOTHER
Welcome back Wolfmother! After the ‘Wolfmother’ album resulted in over a million sales and sold out shows the world over, received multiple ARIA Awards and a Grammy, the band blew us away with their second album ‘Cosmic Egg’. With album number three on the way, Ladies & Gentlemen, Boys & Girls, please experience Wolfmother.

METRIC
They’ve sold out arenas, headlined festivals and picked up JUNO Awards for “Alternative Album of the Year” and “Band of the Year”. They’ve had a hand in scoring films for everyone from Edgar Wright to David Cronenberg, and have even performed their song “Gimme Sympathy” at a private event for the Queen. For a band that had always been told they were ‘doing it wrong’, the Toronto-based quartet have grown into a fresh model for making it work. See how at Splendour 2012.

KIMBRA
Kimbra’s hit singles ‘Cameo Lover’, ‘Good Intent’ and ‘Two Way Street’ all ranked in Triple J’s Hottest 100 and in 2012 she won the coveted ARIA for Best Female Artist but it was her duet with Gotyé on the worldwide smash hit ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ that saw her catapulted onto the international stage. With over 165 million views (yes that’s correct – over 165 MILLION!) the track was No. 1 in Australia for 8 weeks and continues to dominate the charts in many countries, spreading Kimbra’s fame across the globe including the USA where she will release her album in May. We welcome the amazing Kimbra to the Splendour stage.

MUDHONEY
Mudhoney were truly the band that made the ’90s grunge rock movement possible. With a unique mix of heavy metal muscle, punk attitude, and garage rock primitivism, Mudhoney’s indie-scene success laid the groundwork for the grunge movement paving the way for bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam. 25 years since their first single, Mudhoney’s following is still as loyal as ever and we can’t wait to see what they pull out of the bag.

50 YEARS OF DYLAN
Over 50 years, 47 albums and more than 500 songs, Bob Dylan’s peerless visions have provided an endless scaffold for the greatest artists of our time to interpret in their own style and image. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of his first album, Kav Temperley, Kevin Mitchell, Holly Throsby and Patience Hodgson will join forces with an array of surprise Splendour guests to salute this remarkable legacy and career in their own unique voices!

SPIDERBAIT
A very warm welcome back to Spiderbait! The first in a string of festival appearances to celebrate their 21st anniversary, we can’t wait to see what this seminal Australian trio pulls out of the bag at Splendour. After six albums and a greatest hits compilation, Spiderbait remain a blistering live proposition.

DJANGO DJANGO
Following their much talked about appearance at SXSW, we’re excited to have Django Django’s adventurous strain of rock – melding electronic and live instrumentation – on our Splendid shores. Watch the tent go off when they unleash ‘Default’.

GYPSY & THE CAT
They won fans over with catchy hits like ‘Jona Vark’ and ‘Time to Wander’ and now this electronic duo are set to do it all over again with their imaginative live shows and a new record in August.

SAN CISCO
From humble beginnings of weekend jams to being nominated for a 2011 Unearthed J Award and landing themselves #7 in triple j’s Hottest 100 countdown, San Cisco have set themselves apart from their counterparts with the depth of their song-writing and bright catchy hooks. Having already graced the stages of Big Day Out, Laneway, Fuse Festival and Big Sound as well as selling out their first national tour, San Cisco are sure to set the Splendour stage on fire.

LAST DINOSAURS
You might have hummed along to their summer anthem ‘Honolulu’ on radio, or seen them rock festival stages. Hot on the heels of the release of their debut album ‘In A Million Years’, Last Dinosaurs take to the Splendour stage pairing life’s big questions about love, loss and preservation with irresistibly danceable melodies.

ELECTRIC GUEST
With an eclectic mix of instruments and influences, it’s hard to put the sound of Electric Guest in a box, but one journalist described their music as “a mutant-albeit somewhat cleaned up and electronic-60′s garage thing”. Ultimately, it’s damn fine pop music courtesy of Electric Guest and their friend and uber producer Dangermouse.

MUSCLES
His debut album ‘Guns Babe Lemonade’ established cult status worldwide and turned this musician into an in-demand live music festival machine. His new album ‘Manhood’ is tour de force of ‘no holds barred’ electronic post-punk, euro-dance and Italo disco and is sure to burst your eardrums at Splendour. Get ready to get sweaty with Muscles!

ANGUS STONE
For seven years he’s been travelling the world as one half of brother-sister duo Angus & Julia, selling close to a million records in the process. Now, Angus Stone is setting out on his own. His debut album ‘Broken Bright’s deftly shifts between genres without compromising his signature sound. With a live set that includes all the favourites – Big Jet Plan, Just A Boy, Mango Tree etc. – as well as his new solo tracks, you won’t want to miss this world premier solo performance by the one and only Mr Angus Stone.

DZ DEATHRAYS
Brisbane two-piece DZ DEATHRAYS has quickly carved a name around the globe. NME named them the 4th Most Exciting New Act of 2012. Not bad for a band created to play at their friend’s house parties in Brisbane. By all accounts they recently set SXSW on fire and all signs point to a not-to-be-missed Splendour performance.

HOWLER
Minneapolis five-piece and NME favourites Howler are a band to watch in 2012. The brainchild of the band’s 19 year old front-man Jordan Gatesmith, who always had a natural affinity towards early 60s American rock and pop, as well as 80s punk, Howler’s debut release ‘America Give Up’ was a triple j feature album earlier this year. They just pulled out some blazing shows at SXSW and they’re set to do the same at Splendour.

LANIE LANE
From recording with Jack White in Nashville and performing with him at SXSW, to playing her first sold out national tour, a string of top notch festivals and tours of the US and UK, the past 12 months have been the stuff of dreams for Lanie. Her debut album To The Horses entered the ARIA charts at #12 and she took home the FBi Radio SMAC Award for Record of the Year. Lanie and her dynamite band invite you to see what all the fuss is about and join in the fun at Splendour.

FUN.
A year after their 2009 debut, ‘Aim & Ignite’, they are now performing at Coachella and Lollapalooza. ‘Glee’ plans to cover their smash hit, ‘We Are Young’, an experience that means the world to a band that prides itself on appealing to any demographic that might feel disenfranchised or just plain odd. With a platinum single at the top of the charts and an album headed the same way please welcome to our shores (their name says it all) Fun.

BIG SCARY
Melbourne duo Big Scary has quickly risen from ‘next big thing’ status to be one of Australia’s favourite musical outfits. Their lp ‘Vacation’ earned them an Album of the Year nomination in the Triple J awards, as well as nominations for breakthrough artist in both the Australian Independent Record Association and The Age EG awards.

MICHAEL KIWANUKA
Winner of the BBC Sound of 2012 Poll and fresh from a critically-acclaimed performance at SXSW Michael Kiwanuka is one artist you don’t want to miss this Splendour. Crediting the likes of Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon as inspiration, few artists make such an instant impression as this man. His debut album Home Again is set to make the liquid-voiced singer an international name and touch its listeners in the same way as his favourite records inspired Michael Kiwanuka himself.

SEEKAE
With a new single on the airwaves, an EP out in May and sell out shows in Sydney and Melbourne, it’s clear that Seekae are riding a wave of success. Fusing elements of hip-hop, indie pop and ambient post-rock into an entirely original brand of organic electronica the force now known as Seekae bring their hypnotising live show to Splendour in the Grass.

FRIENDS
Brooklyn’s Friends blazed out of 2011 with two buzz-worthy singles, “I’m His Girl” and “Friend Crush” and a reputation for undeniable hook-laden indie pop. They are known for turning live shows into spontaneous DIY parties – and you’re invited!

YACHT CLUB DJ’S
Blowing away crowds at countless festival bills including Meredith Music Festival, Parklife, Falls Festival, Field Day and Groovin’ In The Moo, this pair have made waves right across the Australian music scene. Most recently the Yacht Club DJs hit the road on the “They Mostly Come at Night… Mostly” tour, their most extensive to date with the duo selling out venues across the country and leaving lines of people down the street.

BERTIE BLACKMAN
She has a famous artistic heritage but Bertie Blackman has definitely carved out her own path. With three critically acclaimed albums and a string of awards behind her – including an AIR Award for Breakthrough Independent Artist of 2009 and an ARIA Award for Best Independent Release of 2009 – Bertie Blackman has a new album ‘Pope Innocent X’ due to drop in July. After a summer of killer live performances on Triple J’s ‘Straight To You’ Nick Cave tribute concerts, we’re thrilled to have Bertie at the Splendour 2012!

JINJA SAFARI
Winners of Triple J’s Unearthed competition to open the Splendour main stage in 2010, Jinja Safari reached the milestone of sold-out headline shows across the country less than 18 months later. This year, alongside Splendour In The Grass, they will play the UK’s Great Escape and Bestival.

BLUE KING BROWN
Lead by the multi-talented, relentless energy of Natalie Pa’apa’a, Australia’s premier urban roots crew Blue King Brow just tore it up at Bluesfest and they’re brining their rock & afro groove mash-up, including a new single from their upcoming album release, to Splendour in the Grass 2012.

YOUTH LAGOON
After playing to sold out audiences in February and drawing huge crowds at SXSW, blogosphere sensation Youth Lagoon returns to our shores for Splendour. Twenty-two year old Trevor Powers, the brainchild behind Youth Lagoon, has had a long year. Not only has he been endlessly touring of the back of his stellar album, The Year of Hibernation but, as his music reflects, he’s been busy living the life of a kid going to college, being in love, dealing with heartache, and just living.

POND
Hand-picked last year as the only support acts for MGMT and The Flaming Lips and featuring two band members from Tame Impala, it’s no surprise that Pond is generating huge buzz. Given 9/10 and described as ‘quite possibly the best album released so far this year’ their new album Beard Wives Denimis a wonderfully distorted, woozy, fractured and ultimately nostalgic creation.

THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS
Celebrating a decade of fine music and five studio albums TBG//Mat. McHugh have conquered 10 sold out headlining tours of Australia, performances at every major Australian festival, 12 Tours of the USA & Canada, four tours of Japan and five of the UK & Europe. In April, the new album from Mat. McHugh ‘Love Come Save Me’ was released to the world – for free. The Beautiful Girls latest tour kicks off at Splendour In The Grass!

YUKSEK
With his highly-anticipated album ‘Living On The Edge Of Time’ due to be released just in time for Splendour, get ready for catchy hooks and energised house beats as one-man act, French electro maverick Yuksek hits the stage in Byron Bay.

TIJUANA CARTEL
They hail from the Gold Coast, but Tijuana Cartel has built a firm reputation for beats that span the globe. Multi-layered grooves, touches of slide and flamenco guitar, trumpet, vocals and Afro Cuban Percussion mixed with some hardened electronica – it’s a combo that’s intriguing, energetic and utterly infectious! Two albums and many years spent touring Australia’s lesser trodden paths have made Tijuana Cartel one of the most cultishly adored bands in the country and their latest offering ‘M1′ promises to be their most popular yet.

BALL PARK MUSIC
After being officially Unearthed by triple j just over a year ago, Ball Park Music went on to have two songs feature in the 2011 ‘Hottest 100′ and earned the prize title of Unearthed Artist Of The Year at the J Awards. They have become one of Australia’s must see musical outfits selling out The Corner for three consecutive nights and The Factory for two. With wide spread airplay the catalyst for a touring regime that doesn’t seem to let up, Ball Park Music is a must-see at Splendour 2012.

THE RUBENS
Although they’ve only been together since early 2011, The Rubens have already won over a legion of fans with their rich, soulful take on blues rock. Their headline tour sold out four venues in Melbourne and three in Sydney and they join fellow Splendour artist Lanie Lane on her national tour in May/June. With an album set for release later in the year and Splendour appearance, 2012 promises to be a huge one for The Rubens.

BEN HOWARD
He’s a young acoustic troubadour who amassed a secret society of fans via the UK’s fiercely loyal surfing community. He was hand picked by members of Mumford and Sons for the Communion label. The word then spread over the water to Germany, France, Holland and beyond. He now makes his way to the surfing mecca of Byron Bay for his debut Splendour appearance to showcase his amazing self-reflective debut album ‘Every Kingdom’.

BLEEDING KNEES CLUB
Recently named by NME as one of the 100 New Bands To Watch in 2012, Gold Coast’s garage-pop bombshells Bleeding Knees Club continue their global takeover bid at Splendour!

ZULU WINTER
Twelve years after first playing together, Zulu Winter are finally getting the success they deserve, with sold out shows in UK and Europe. On stage they insist on live instruments and live sounds and their performance at Splendour will be no different.

THE MEDICS
The Medics bring an all-too-rare sense of urgency to their music that’s underpinned their emergence as one of Australia’s most genuinely exciting new bands. Another triple j Unearthed graduate, their lead singles “Beggars” and “Joseph” are enjoying high rotation on the station while their debut album is set for release in May. As anyone who saw their sets at Big Day Out would attest, The Medics are a must-see live band.

SHIHAD
After two decades SHIHAD are still a dominating presence onstage and in the studio. The band recently sold out venues on tours of Australia and New Zealand to rave reviews, have a best of collection on the way and we’re very proud to announce will debut their new documentary to Australian audiences at the Splendour Forum. The band behind four top 10 albums in Australia and loved for their live shows is sure not to disappoint Splendour fans.

HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBLE
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble are eight brothers from the south side of Chicago raised in an extraordinary musical family. They have come to be known as one of the hottest and most individual bands around through performances and collaborations with legendary artists such as De La Soul , Prince, Mos Def and Damon Albarn. They moonlight as Gorillaz horn section and played to enthusiastic audiences at VIVID 2011.

HUSKY
After winning Triple J Unearthed, Melbourne four-piece ‘band of the moment’ Husky continues to reach new heights, winning hearts with every sold-out show around the country. Signed to Sub Pop, after a headline tour in April they will spend much of 2012 overseas supporting the likes of The Head and the Heart and playing festivals but in July they’ll be in Byron Bay!

KATE MILLER-HEIDKE
Across Australia to Asia, the US and UK, stunned audiences have been mesmerised and transformed by the extraordinary talent that is Kate Miller-Heidke. Now, following double-platinum sales for her last album (2008′s Curiouser), sets at Coachella, international dates supporting Ben Folds and catching US critics off-guard, Kate Miller-Heidke returns with her first solo album in three years. ‘Nightlife’ entered the iTunes chart in the #1 position and looks set to debut on the ARIA charts in a similar spot.

FATHER JOHN MISTY
Former Fleet Foxes member John Tillman celebrates his reincarnation under the mischievous moniker, Father John Misty. His debut folk rock album, ‘Fear Fun’, has a darkness and mysteriousness. He just played to enthusiastic crowds at SXSW and he’s sure to cast a spell over Splendour.

EMMA LOUISE
Just 12 months ago the sublime sounds of singer-songwriter Emma Louise made their way onto our airwaves with her debut single ‘Jungle’ going straight to high rotation on triple j. Soon after came her debut EP, Full Hearts & Empty Rooms. Her highly regarded SXSW appearances saw Emma captivate audiences and industry alike and her Splendour set is sure to do the same.

CHET FAKER
Hailing from the tight-knit disco and house music scene in Melbourne, Chet Faker generated a big international buzz with the release of his cover version of Blackstreet’s “No Diggity” and it isn’t quieting down. From Australia to the UK to the USA the word has spread. He just played six much hyped shows at SXSW followed by the Aussie BBQ in Los Angeles and back on home shore he’s sold out two forthcoming shows at Melbourne’s the Toff in Town. Don’t miss your chance to see Chet Faker at Splendour!

HERE WE GO MAGIC
With appearances at Glastonbury, Bonnaroo and Coachella, Here We Go Magic know how to wow an audience with their uncanny live chemistry, turning album tracks into intricately groovy sonic explorations.

PARACHUTE YOUTH
Their single “Can’t get Better Than This” was honoured by being the first song played on Triple J after the stroke of midnight in 2012 and its insanely magnificent film clip has garnered over 1.2million views on YouTube. Signed to SweatItOut records and with an album out just in time for Splendour, this Melbourne two-piece is well worth the hype.

MOSMAN ALDER
Brisbane six-piece Mosman Alder’s piano, guitars and violin are underpinned by unique brooding lyrics inspired by the likes of Kafka, Neil Gaiman and Pickeney Benedict. Epic in scope, their live shows take on an ethereal quality. They’ve toured with Besnard Lakes and Big Scary, blew the industry away at Big Sound last year and they’re going to do the same at Splendour 2012.

THE CAST OF CHEERS
As their rousing live shows have indicated, these indie-pop rockers know their way around an aggressively infectious hook and rip-roaring 3 minute song. Imagine an amped up Battles jamming with vintage Gang of Four and you’ll be somewhere close. They’ve been championed by the influential likes of Zane Lowe, Fearne Cotton, Huw Stephens and more.

WOLF & CUB
Two years since the release of their acclaimed second album Science and Sorcery, Adelaide’s Wolf & Cub are back. Their unique blend of stoner rock psychedelia and punk has been turning heads since they emerged back in 2004. Their new single ‘See The Light’ is the first off a new record due later this year and is on high rotation on Triple J. We’re happy to welcome them to Splendour.

GOSSLING
Gossling is “that voice” from the Triple J hit “Wild Love” or from 360′s triple platinum “Boys Like You”. Gossling’s style is distinctive and sweet; mixing heart felt lyrics with graceful melodies. Prepare to be charmed, heart broken and delighted as Gossling enchants your ears and warms your heart with material from her 3rd EP at Splendour in the Grass.

www.splendourinthegrass.com