It’s that time of year again. The rumour mill surrounding Splendour In The Grass is running in overdrive and while some acts have confirmed that they will make the trip, many are still just possibilities. Never ones to back away from a guessing competition, we've compiled a list of some names we expect to see on the line-up when it is released next Wednesday, April 23.
The Black Keys
The Black Keys still owe Australia. Despite touring Australia nationally in 2012, they cancelled on a heartbroken BDO audience in 2011. With the new album, Turn Blue, on its way, a headline set at Splendour would be a glorious return for the duo.
Chances: Their last festival is Latitiude in the UK on the 20 July- plenty of time to head down under for some Byron sunshine.
Outkast
Outkast are another hot contender for the headline spot. They reunited for their 20 year anniversary at Coachella this month and are set to play over 40 festivals over the globe. There is a Splendour-sized hole in their touring schedule too.
Chances: Lock it in, I’d say.
The Preatures
Straight off the back of a stellar slot at Coachella and an American tour, The Preatures could make a heroic return to Australia capped off by a set at Splendour In The Grass. In the past, Splendour has booked many artists (The Jezabels, Chet Faker, Flume) that have their ultimate live breakthrough and splendour and Isabella Manfredi and co. could just be the next one.
Chances: Count on a mid-afternoon sing-along to Is This How You Feel? In Byron.
MØ
Danish pop star, MØ, did a short jaunt around the country last year, however, she is yet to play it a festival crowd here. With her debut album, Mythologies To Follow, out, she could fill a Splendour up and comer slot easily.
Chances: Her schedule says, yes, it just depends on whether she's Splendour material.
Blood Orange
Dev Hynes is due for an Australian tour. He hasn't been here since he supported Florence and the Machine in 2012 and with a new album out he's got plenty of material to flaunt. He's impressed festival audiences across America and Europe. Maybe it's about time he did so here.
Chances: Fingers crossed, but no certainty.
Cut Copy
They played Future Music Festival but surely Splendour is their more favoured stomping ground. They killed it back in 2011 and would do the same again in 2014 armed with a whole new bag of tricks off the new album, Free Your Mind.
Chances: Their national tour in May suggests that it may be a big ask to come back again in July but they must be used to the jet-lag by now. It would require a hasty turnaround to play Osheaga Festival the weekend after.
Foster The People
With a new album out, Foster The People will no doubt be trying to fit in a trip down under. Splendour, which they played as youngens in 2012, could be the perfect place for a main stage debut in Australia.
Chances: Every other festival will also be trying to snap them up. Splendour could be too early in the promo cycle.
Duck Sauce
With a new album Quack out next weekend, A-Trak and Armin Van Helden could be up for a jaunt down-under. They would be a perfect addition to the dance line-up and would likely pull a large crowd.
Chances: A possibility if they haven't already been snapped up by Stereosonic or Listen Out.
Courtney Barnett
Barnett is possibly the biggest Aussie name in the international music scene at the moment. She's become an NME darling and is booked to play some of the largest festivals on the circuit including Coachella and Sasquatch. It could be a triumphant glory-run, if she returned home for Splendour.
Chances: She has July off so it could be a good chance to pop back home.
Modest Mouse
This one could be a long shot but the band are playing a number of festivals this Summer and have a touring gap to play Splendour. The only way we'd excuse the absence is if they were holed up recording their sixth album. It's been nearly seven years since their last, We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank.
Chances: Slim but a definite potential none the less.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62zslOQLuQ8
SBTRKT
The masked producer was in Australia last year for a quick visit, but a big festival show is long overdue. Particularly when he has just released a new EP, Transitions.
Chances: He's playing Fuji Rock in Japan the same weekend. Splendour has been known to share acts with Fuji. Pencil him in.
