I lust for live music, so don't continue reading if you're looking for an account about Splendour In The Grass 2022: The Glastonbury Festival Experience.
I genuinely feel for the punters that met with bigger challenges than I did; I chatted with many and shared a drink with some and even farewelled a few as they made an early retreat.I'm also sure you have read all there is to read about the camping and travel dilemmas in your news feeds and socials. Instead, I offer an account of my live music experiences of SITG 2022 - 22-24 July at North Byron Parklands.
Day One
I arrive inside the festival mid-afternoon Friday with advice the performers on the main stages have cancelled. So I decide to make today all about getting my stash of merch and getting to know the lay of the land and find the best routes between the stages.It's also very important that I locate the best bars and tucker – so much good nosh and bevvies on offer. I check out the Champagne Bar and see that many a punter has set up here. It's filled with boisterous chatter, clinking bottles and much laughter.
I speak with some people from Victoria who are making the most of their weekend and a chap who is celebrating the dry land with a $350 bottle of champers in his hand – tasty! Who needs a glass when it comes in a glass bottle?
Image © Clea-marie Thorne
After just a glass myself, I trek down the hill and slip-slide my way right towards a dude chilling in a hammock strung between two trees. He has the right idea, high and dry (chuckles).
Image © Clea-marie Thorne
On my Tour de SITG, I am drawn by DJ beats into the choco-lake of the Tipi Forest. I cackle at myself. Ha! I have noticed it looks like we are giving our best Neil Armstrong impersonations. Heck, if the DJ played ‘Walking On The Moon’ by The Police right now, I'd be rolling in the mud in hysterics.
I was kept upright by a bunch of a moon boogie-ers but my almost mud-bath swoon did something to my knee so I took myself out and headed to the next bar to assess my injury with a cider and chat.
Image © Clea-marie Thorne
Good vibes are all around the Craft bar and everyone is making the most of it. I am surprised to hear live John Butler music until my friend points out that it is a live recording. We laugh.
I see the SITG punter apparel and accessories no knows boundaries. There is colourful hair, face paint and body glitter and wacky hats. I see bodies wrapped tight in three-quarter length fur coats with muddy frills while others are trialling cold-air therapy with no more than taped-up nipples and maybe a g-banger or see-through tights to avoid arrest.
I pass the World Stage and get an earful of some deep didgeridoo tones vibrating my ears and my soothing my soul. On my exploration I note this stage and the Parklands, McLennan and Mix-up stages all have rain/ sun covers.
The new gravelly pathways are a blessing and the temporary wood decking gives reprieve from the mud soup after I exit from the Mix Up stage.
Image © Clea-marie Thorne
Along the makeshift boardwalk, I find a Wine bar, food vendors offering global savoury and sweet cuisines, market stalls selling their wares and services like hair braiding, facial art and healing. I stop to watch a couple of artists giving a demonstration of them creating their art.
The light is fading behind the overcast sky and while I know in an hour the lantern and pretty lights will be a spectacle I call it. As I leave I am passing a queue of people waiting to enter the Smirnoff Seltzer Springs bar with its waterfall signage. It is totally going off in there. No bands does not mean no party for these folk!
Taking my new cloth memorabilia and newfound love for gumboots, I take on the mud to catch the shuttle bus.
Day Two
I arrive again in my gumboots, prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at us. People inside are making the most of it already; the bars and food vendors have a healthy patronage.The Tipi Forest copped a water logging with the overnight rain and it's not the happening place it was yesterday. It's closed off and water is being siphoned – there's enough going on elsewhere to keep punters occupied.
The Chats are just about to go off to a gathering of mixed ages crowd. It doesn't take them long to ramp up their fans, not only with their punk-rock music but punk-rock attitude too. Instead of horns in the air, punters were flipping the bird in support of Samwith (vocals, guitar) as he lets loose his tongue at NSW Police. Fans lap up the punk rock tunes under the overcast sky.
The Chats - image © Clea-marie Thorne
For something different I detour to Little Splendour. Behind the pencil fence, I find mimes, ballerina swans, juggling artists, workshops, a rock climbing installation, mini rides and of course, The Little Splendour stage! This big kid is joining the little kids to catch Bunny Racket!
Hopping (hehe) onto the stage in front of giant blow-up amps, is Bunny Racket get to rocking on with their set. My heart flutters to see a little blonde headbanger in a front row seat moshing on to songs like 'We're All Insects' and 'Koala Bear'.
Bunny Racket bring real rock & roll to the kiddies complete with riffing guitars, heavy hits on the drums and a thumping bass. Yeah baby! It's not just for the kids, Bunny Racket give a great live show. I wouldn't overlook this band if they are playing anywhere near you. Great musicians that bring a tonne of fun! Hint: Don't believe them when they say they are out of rock & roll – it's just not possible!
Bunny Racket - image © Clea-marie Thorne
I stay near the Amphitheatre and head back to catch some The Jungle Giants indie rock. Crikey, the masses have gathered for this set. In no time, The Jungle Giants are giving punters a banging set with fans devouring 'Sending Me Ur Love'.
Sycco joins them on stage for 'Treat You Right'. With songs like 'Feel The Way I Do' and 'Love Signs' there is much singing and dancing, shoulder riding, screams of excitement and bodies grooving. This. This right here is bringing the full festival feels to fruition at SITG and I'm feeding off the collective warm, fuzzy mood.
The Jungle Giants - image © Clea-marie Thorne
A short break and random conversation brings me to my first ever Oliver Tree performance. For this set I admit I wondered what the heck am I in for. 'Alien Boy' was my introduction.
In a contrasting purple and red outfit and wig styled like a true '70s bogan – I was a bit speechless at the performer before me and I am still trying to figure it out. Dude has me 'Intrigued'.
Punters were pushed up at the barrier to get close to the performer. Fans are cheering him at the end of each song and roaring when he disrobes to reveal another layer of tracksuit weirdness before his band mate picks him up wrestling style and whirls him around on stage.
Oliver Tree - image © Clea-marie Thorne
The time has come. My must see set for today is the last festival performance for Violent Soho before taking a break and who knows how long. I am simultaneously super excited and extremely sad.
As the lads are greeted by a vocal crowd, they set about giving us our favourites and a first live debut to boot. We are all chiming along, fist pumping the air, smiling and headbanging to their set that included 'Dope Calypso', 'Viceroy', 'Kamikaze' and 'Jesus Stole My Girlfriend'.
It was bittersweet and even the sky let a sprinkle of tears to mix with my own during 'Like Soda'. Fans are singing loudly as we are rocking this one out with them while tripping on their live vibe and our nostalgia.
Violent Soho - image © Clea-marie Thorne
After a little hydration and sugar hit, I am back to see Jack Harlow. Fans have crammed into the arena awaiting his arrival. The stage had a stepped rise for him to prowl on. Casual as, he takes to the stage like he has walked into a room full of mates.
The crowd is crazy for him and he absorbs it all. His rapping tone is smooth yet I am listening and he delivers some bawdy lyrics with a factual style. His fans know all the words and I have just discovered that pink bras do fly!
Jack Harlow - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Glass Animals look right at home on the SITG stage and there are many young people in the crowd totally soaking up their dreamy-pop sounds in their various states of bliss.
'Tangerine' and 'I Don't Wanna Talk' had a lot of punters singing the lyrics loudly and arms swinging high or with mobile salutes capturing the moment on their phones. The mood is happy, the spirits are so much higher.
Glass Animals - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Tonight's actual headliners, The Strokes hit the Amphitheatre stage to boisterous roars and screams from the fans. Opening with 'Bad Decisions', The Strokes put on an audible delight to their fans and not much in the way of band interaction.
For fans, the music and the digital backdrop are enough but for a first timer who is not familiar to their music you would be forgiven if you find them boring on stage. A fan is singing the words to 'Juice Box' right into nearby punters faces – clearly one of his favourites!
The Strokes - image © Clea-marie Thorne
My knee was giving me grief so I bailed before the end of their set to get ahead of the exit swarm. Many punters though held on to the end as an enormous applause from the crowd could be heard on my trek to the shuttle. The same mob who would now be leaving in droves, to get back to camps or take buses to camps or cars. Ouch!
Day Three
I awoke to a windy, blue sky day. I superstitiously believe it was the collective vibes of those who stayed the distance with a 'make the most of it' attitude that brought the sun shining to our SITG Sunday session.Rested, washed and dressed, I carefully manoeuvre into my gumboots. I'm not sure you realise how much I love my gumboots this weekend.
Arriving in reasonable time today, Charlie Collins is on the lunch menu. Fans and other early arrivals are gathering at the Parklands stage well before her set. Some are coaxed over from the food vans by a cheeky stage staffer/ manager.
It's not long before we are rolling it and rocking it out. Collins' voice is blissful to the ear and one you wouldn't mind hearing more of. With those gorgeous pipes and her easy listening to alternative country rock songs, she has us grooving in no time.
Charlie Collins - image © Clea-marie Thorne
What a fantastic start to the day. I love that she had a guy on an Emmons pedal slide on stage to add that twang of bluesiness to my morning – so, so tasty.
After a taste of Collins, I go to snack on a few songs from King Stingray at the nearby GW McLennan stage. I witness the festival spirit alive with kindness as strangers are helping each other out through the slippery mud and it nearly always involves a good laugh, which cannot help but make you smile. I take it slow and steady to stay vertical.
I am keen to hear what "Yolŋu surf rock" is – it is rock, it is surf rock and it has an Aboriginal flavour of the didgeridoo and Yolŋu Matha language. King Stingray have drawn a big crowd to watch them play their tight set. Their sound is damn cool.
King Stingray - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Next, I agree to a bit of rapping with JK-47 fans at the Mix Up stage. Dude has a good following and gets the messages out with a powerful voice and presence. His fans are vocal and right there with him rapping along with every line.
JK-47 - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Time for a bit indie rock and The Snuts are about to deliver this at the Amphitheatre. Although I have heard The Snuts before, this a first live experience for me. The band are known to many in the crowd and they approach the stage pretty relaxed in front of them.
There is no time wasted as they ignite the beats and attract more punters into the arena to get among the action.
The Snuts - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Supporting women artists at this festival, I make sure to also catch Sycco. I have seen her live a few times now and each time she has evolved professionally, yet has not lost one ounce of her humbleness.
This home-grown legend has drawn a banging crowd to the Mix Up stage. Sycco is giving it all and then some to her fans along with SITG explorers who have come to check her out after her guest appearance at the Amphitheatre. A banging set.
Sycco - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Having missed a recent Pond gig I am super keen to see them today. These gents belong on the big stage, they are just so present with their music and lift the punter moods higher.
While I prefer the psyche-rock sounds I don't mind their wandering into pop territory it's so craftily morphed. It's delectable. Their ambience is now filling the amphitheatre with a comforting and blissful atmosphere, even with a cover of 'Rain' thrown in.
They are keeping all fans satisfied with a set list from a mix of albums. This music would go perfectly with mushrooms for lunch. Anyone?
Pond - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Next, I am seeing G Flip. I guess they won't be drumming as they have apparently hurt an arm. Well maybe the rumour was not true as G bolts to the drum kit on stage. It is hard to see G way back there from where I am. They are now at the front of the stage and telling us they had an injury and will be singing to us.
G Flip is super hyper on the stage. Darting back and forth, in signature black leather (maybe vegan) pants, white singlet and cap G's confidence and sass speak volumes and they have the crowd in the palm of their hand.
G Flip - image © Clea-marie Thorne
With a knee that is slowing me down, I leave to make sure I arrive in good time to see Genesis Owusu (Kofi Owusu-Ansah). I am here based on a recommendation only, as I have been living under a rock, so I am told. Well, damn, that rock must have been a boulder!
Did someone slip me a microdot? If not, I really am looking at a nine-foot-tall man in a pair of cool shades and a bunch of armless hands as epaulets on his caped shoulders atop a lumpy black draped body!
This theatrical creature that stands before us looks like it belongs in a graphic novel of some sort. Within a couple of minutes the man creature seemingly collapses on itself as Owusu drops to the stage and from beneath the black drapery the cloak reveals wild mic'ed-up dancers in bondage roped outfits and gimp style masks.
Punters are losing their sh.t for this guy – and I get why! I only wish I could have stayed to the very end. Apparently he put on a crystalline mask that refracted beams everywhere – I have reminded myself to stalk You Tube to see this crazy-ass display.
Genesis Owusu - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Bringing solid rock goods to the SITG main stage are one of Australia's favourites. Whether you are 7 or 70 years of age, Grinners will have no trouble rocking you in your gumboots, that's for sure.
With their signature set including opener that has punters screaming: "Dead cat three times" and songs like 'Pedestrian', 'Ready 1' and 'Chemical Heart' that we all know off by heart, Jamieson and the lads worked it like it was our last act for the night.
There were a sea of grins for the Grinners when the confetti cannons let loose for their final song 'More Than You Are'. It was so good and would have been exhausting if not for the energy created by the band and the crowd invigorating us.
Grinspoon - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Duke Dumont gave a live performance next on the Amphitheatre stage and he had two decks set up parallel to the punters using the digital curved backdrop and light show to showcase his set.
There were many beaming to his beats with their heads back, faces to the sky as they moved their bodies to the beats. Others took in the amazing light show while grooving on the spot. I took the opportunity to grab some nosh and a Strummer cocktail as I had a full schedule to fit in to closing time.
Yep. Liam Gallagher is gracing the SITG stage. OMG!? Taking his time and in true Liam Gallagher style we get nothing short of his honed, nasal vocals delivered perfectly via his styled mic poses – the stance gives him more vocal power for his choice of singing style.
He is also not far from his maracas or tambourine at any one time as he occasionally shifts about on the darkened stage. The digital display shifts through old photographs that look amazing spread across the curved screen.
We are gifted favourite Oasis songs among his set list. I wondered if we would get those or not. What an ego trip to have tens of thousands of people belting out the lyrics possibly even louder than your own stage sound?
Liam Gallagher - image © Clea-marie Thorne
I arrive in time to Amyl and the Sniffers at the GW McLennan stage as the event organisers have opened up the road so punters can avoid most of the mud on the way to this stage. Nice one!
Storming the stage in a hyper state, Amy Taylor is cheered on by the crowd with their opener 'Freaks To The Front'. With her mulletesque do and ADIDAS track jacket she is stalking, talking with that Aussie twang and belting out the tunes.
Once warmed up, off with the trackie jackie to reveal the racy black number that gets a roar from the fans below her. The crowd are going nuts and they get wild when they smack us in the chops with 'Capital'. Fit and fun, what more do punters want!
With a punk laced pub rock set that elicits your inner bogan and leaves you with a grin above you chin, Amyl and the Sniffers sure deliver an engaging live set every time!
Amyl And The Sniffers - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Bad//Dreems are up next on the Parklands Stage. The name sounds cool and if I am here to experience some new music I figure why not. There is a pretty big crowd gathered and they are welcoming all new arrivals with friendly faces. I reckon I am in for a good one to say the least.
These guys have a real Aussie edge to their garage rock and are like a modern day Acca Dacca at times.
Bad//Dreems - image © Clea-marie Thorne
I think of the trek back to the Amphitheatre, then to the shuttle bus and decide to forfeit a peek at Tyler, the Creator's set. While it looked totally amazing on social media, my knee was thankful I made my exit when I did.
I trust the event organisers received helpful feedback for future consideration and more than that I hope they give themselves a pat on the back for the things they did get right and the remediations they sought to put in place to address matters they could control, while managing the rest. The volunteers, staff and security crews always had a smile and were as helpful as they could be.
To the artists, bands and performers – punters relished in your live music and acts that ensured it was the very best SITG 2022 that it could be! This will be a story we will recount to our younger generations: "I went to a festival once and. . ."
Would I do it again, rain, hail or shine? Yes indeed I would. While I met with some challenges and inconveniences there were none that this jockette didn't ride out, over or through.
In other words it was a bunch of fun. I had great conversations, good times with friends and likeminded punters, copped an ear and eyeful of live music baby and I still did not get to experience everything on offer! I did, however, learn to do the mud shuffle and I even fell in love. . . with my gumboots!
