Splendour In The Grass has been a music event filled with local and international talent since its inauguration in 2001. For the first time ever, in 2021 music-lovers have the chance to witness all the familiar fun of Splendour via their screens.
Whether you have been to Splendour 'in person' before or if it's your first time and you're just after a killer music experience from the comfort of your own home (looking at you in lockdown, Sydney), Splendour XR is accessible to you as long as you've got a ticket, a Sansar login (which is free to set up) and a screen.No big, scary, expensive gaming PCs necessary for this one. Or any of those flashing rainbow lights along your keyboard. Unless VR gaming is your thing.
So what exactly is Splendour XR? Well, it's essentially all the good stuff about the North Byron Parklands event without the getting-up-and-going element. Let's face it, that's asking quite a bit after a year filled with. . . Well. . . Lots of sitting around. Lucky for you, reader, Splendour XR is listening.
The festival site has been recreated as an immersive, explorable extended reality landscape where you can head up the hill to the main stage, trot on down to the Global Village, or enter the Tipi Forest, all the while taking in music from a line-up of acts from far and wide – their appearance made possible of course by the boundless possibilities of the internet.
Take that, COVID! No one said we couldn't unite to experience the joys of live music virtually!
Still a little confused? Basically, once you have your ticket, you download an App called Sansar (Sansar are the talented tech gods who built the world). You will receive a redemption code which is your access into the world.
Once you've logged into the app, you choose your virtual self. There's eight different avatars to choose from. You then enter into Splendour XR and choose the different stages depending on who's playing next. Rinse and repeat for 2 days, and suddenly you've just witnessed over 50 global acts, across 3 stages and haven't had to leave your house. Winning!
That's all well and good, but who'll be taking to the Splendour XR stages across this two-day event? We covered that in full here, but in short, you can expect to see the likes of The Killers, Khalid, Charli XCX, Duke Dumont, Denzel Curry, Tash Sultana, Phoebe Bridgers, Little Simz, Black Pumas, What So Not, Client Liaison, Pink Sweats, Holly Humberstone, Spacey Jane, Pond, and much more.
The artists taking part in Splendour are preparing real sets specifically catered to Splendour XR, so you'll be able to watch knowing your fave acts lovingly crafted their performances just for you – and everyone else tuning in of course.
So it's safe to say lovers of all genres will be catered to, but you're surely not expecting Splendour XR to just feature music. . . Right?
One thing Splendour is known for is being a melting pot of all sorts of creative expression. Perhaps you're after a good laugh? The Comedy Club's got your back – featuring a line-up of comedians including Nazeem Hussain, Zoe Coombs Marr, Lloyd Langford, Geraldine Hickey, Ivan Aristeguieta, Alex Ward. . . The list goes on, as do the laughs.
Meanwhile, things are going to get serious over at the Splendour Forum, where punters are invited to witness some scintillating sessions of conversation between politicians, poets, journalists, academics, composers, comedians, survivors and more. Australian Of The Year Grace Tame is in conversation with Tarang Chawla, Dr Karl dives into a surfing safari through science, and there's a panel bringing together sexual assault survivors for a discussion about consent.
What are you waiting for? Get planning – you can check out Splendour XR by yourself or arrange a Splendour house party (restrictions permitting, of course). PS: All video content will be available as video on demand for seven days after the event, so you can relive your Splendour experience over and over again. And again. For a whole week!
Plus, Splendour's looking out for you in the drinks department with the Strummer cocktail kit. The kits, which can be delivered literally to your door, pack a passionfruit punch and come with enough good stuff to make 10 cocktails. Delish.
Domestic punters can also order Splendour Party Packs – they come with everything from entry to Splendour XR to wristbands, limited edition tumblers, posters, cooler bags, and festoon lighting – until 19 July.
Who are you most excited to see at Splendour XR? What will your favourite artist do with their custom-made Splendour XR set? How many times will you watch it once it's over?!
All these burning questions and more are sure to be answered during the event, so grab a ticket and know that while you're having a groove and soaking up the virtual vibes, you're also supporting the Australian music industry during a pretty trying time. Doesn't it feel so good to do good?!
Splendour XR takes place 24-25 July. The event is available to watch on mobile, tablet, browser, desktop and VR, operating live on a single timezone (12pm to 2am AEST).
