Splendour in the Grass 2009

Splendour Wraps up for 2009
Okay let's start with the stats: Over 50 of Australia's and the world's hottest artists and DJs performing to 17,500 ecstatic music fans having the weekend of their lives; in excess of 260,000 drink containers were recycled making a clean and eco friendly festival with a message that hopefully the crowd will take home with them. And to top it all off, the weather behaved itself, so while gumboots were ubiquitous, they weren't strictly necessary.

Campers woke up on Saturday morning under blue skies to a Byron welcome; The Gyuoto Monks chanting forth the good vibes while local bands Glass Towers and Polaroid Flame kicked off the weekend's proceedings.

Whatever your musical peccadillo, Splendour had it covered. Stand out sets came from cool young upstarts Art Vs Science, Miami Horror, Little Red, Birds of Toyko and Bluejuice. Aussie stalwarts You Am I rocked the Supertop with a trademark ball-breaking rock show, while The Specials, sporting their pork pie hats, delivered their trademark ska sound, complete with trademark skank making it feel like 1979 all over again.

While some punters may have been disappointed that Jane's Addiction had to pull out, the Living End came to the rescue and with a nod to Perry & the boys performed Jane's Addiction's "Jane Says" with Phil Jamieson from Grinspoon joining them on stage for a scorching guest vocal.

Finishing off Saturday with massive sets were perennial crowd favourite Bloc Party in the Supertop, the ever classy, ever gorgeous Sarah Blasko in the GW McLennan Tent and the Happy Mondays who reminded us of the 90s and how to live and survive the rock'n'roll dream.

On Sunday morning the sun broke through the threatening skies to shine on throughout the day. The crowd, despite gorging themselves on Saturday's musical feast, were back as eager as ever, watching the UK breakthrough act Friendly Fires live up to the hype. The Doves gave us an epic set of old hits and new favourites, while the charming Bob Evans delivered a heart-warming set that had the crowd singing along.

Aussie legends Hilltop Hoods showed the world why Australian hip hop is a force to be reckoned with, while Mark Lanegan & Greg Dulli from Gutter Twins and Brooklyn's MGMT impressed at both ends of the musical spectrum. The Flaming Lips closed the Supertop with what can only be described as a joyous visual and musical spectacular that confirmed beyond all doubt that music can bring people together and leave them feeling that life is indeed splendid. They also provided some initial inspiration for Splendour's 10th Birthday celebrations to happen in 2010!

If you want to re-live all of the magnificent moments that made up this year's Splendour, Splendour has placed some photos up here with more to come later in the week.

ILLNESS FORCES JANE’S ADDICTION TO CANCEL AUSTRALIAN TOUR INCLUDING SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS PERFORMANCE
It is with disappointment that organisers confirm that JANE’S ADDICTION has cancelled tomorrow’s scheduled performance at SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS due to illness. Jane's Addiction's management has confirmed that percussionist Stephen Perkins has been admitted to the Infectious Disease Ward at Cedar's-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles for treatment of an infection in his elbow. Doctors expect to keep him there for the next few days for further diagnosis and observation while anti-biotic treatment continues. Fans are being asked not to worry as a full recovery is expected over the next few weeks.

The reformed original line-up of Jane's Addiction had been on their first world tour in over 17 years and had just returned to Los Angeles from a successful European leg when the mysterious infection was discovered after Perkins noticed severe swelling and pain building in his elbow. Regretfully the group's Australian tour, due to start on Saturday, is forced to be cancelled at this time. Says lead singer Perry Farrell - "I know how excited we were to come play in Australia, and how long the fans there have waited for this. I want everyone Down under to know that we will come back as soon as we can."

Co-promoters Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco added, “We are saddened by the news that JANE’S ADDICTION will not be playing and they will be greatly missed at Splendour. We wish Stephen a speedy recovery.”

Replacing JANE’S ADDICTION at SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS, we are VERY excited to announce that THE LIVING END with their blazing riffs, big drums and hooks galore will step up to deliver their smack-in-the-face clenched-fist raw rock ‘n’ roll on Saturday evening.

Having chalked up a number of epic festival appearances both here and throughout Europe including Denmark, Finland, Germany and Sweden already this year, expect a super tight octane-fuelled scorcher of a performance. This festival fit band will not only please diehard fans, but also grab an abundance of new ones and reaffirm them as one of the most energetic acts this country has ever produced. Raise the alarm! You won’t want to miss THE LIVING END at SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS.

Refunds for Splendour In The Grass 2009 will be available if submitted by the ticket holder before 10:00am AEST Saturday 25th July 2009 via the following means:
1 Online - by submitting your request at http://support.qjump.com.au
OR
2. In person - by submitting your request at the Splendour In The Grass
Festival Box Office.

Upon receiving your cancellation request, your ticket (s) will be cancelled immediately and unable to be used for festival entry from that time.

Refunds can only be provided to the ticket holder themselves and will only be granted if:
- The request is submitted before 10:00am AEST Saturday 25th July 2009.
- The ticket has not yet been redeemed at any the festival or camping entry gates

Refunds will be provided to the ticket holder within 28 days of the request being submitted and refunds will be the full value of your ticket purchase (event ticket and camping ticket if applicable) including bookings fees and carbon offset fees (if applicable). Any ticket holders with both event and camping tickets will have BOTH ticket types refunded.

Refund requests submitted by 10:01am AEST Saturday 25th July 2009 or later will NOT be granted. Tickets that have already been redeemed and used for entry at the festival gate will NOT be refunded.

IMPORTANT EVENT INFORMATION FOR SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS!
With the 2009 SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS festival just over one week away, organisers of the sold-out event would like to provide ticket-holders  with some final vital event and general safety information.  Click here to view special information about this years event.

Splendour in the Grass 2009
It's hard to believe that Splendour In the Grass has been successfully presenting top shelf music entertainment from around the globe for 8 years. And 2009 will be no exception with a line-up set to deliver warm rays of sunshine on a mid winter weekend.

Event organisers can also confirm that Splendour 2009 will be staged once again at BELONGIL FIELDS, which has been home for the past 8 years. Splendour hopes to be at its new home in 2010, the festival's 10th anniversary.

Tickets for Splendour In the Grass 2009 will go on sale in May with the first stage of the line-up to be rolled out towards the end of April. Until then, keep your eyes peeled and your ears at the ready for further information.