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Splendour to upsize in 2009

Mon 4th Aug, 2008 in Local News

With another Splendour done and dusted in winning style, promoters have confirmed the festival will be moving next year from Belongil Fields to a larger, purpose-built site at Yelgin.

The Australian reported today that the development application for the new site has now been approved by Byron Shire Council. Splendour’s new stomping ground will be “a multi-purpose music, arts and culture venue” 20km inland from Byron Bay. The move from Belongil Fields will also see the festival’s capacity grow to around 20,000 per day. “We had 70,000 people trying to buy tickets this year and each of them wanted to buy at least two, so you can see the demand is there,” co-promoter Paul Piticco told The Australian. “We want to make it slightly bigger without losing the feel of the festival.”

All reports suggest Splendour In The Grass 2008 was one of the best yet, with a smorgasbord of brilliant sets and plenty of sunshine. Stay tuned to FL for heaps more coverage from the weekend.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM DAY ONE HERE.

AND ALL THE ACTION FROM DAY TWO HERE.

FASTERLOUDER HAS THE DEFINITIVE SPLENDOUR REVIEW AS WELL. HAVE A READ HERE.

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brownie-ll

brownie-ll said on the 4th Aug, 2008

Three day fest next year?

gumbuoy

gumbuoy said on the 4th Aug, 2008

i am a little concerned - there's too many people at splendour as it is...

alkie

alkie said on the 5th Aug, 2008

the organisers of splendour should step back and have a look at what theyve become.

the festival this year was just an absolute mess of promotional material and money spinning.

the festival was overcrowded as all hell, and the bullshit about not being able to bring alcohol into the campground is an absolute farce.

they claim it under the guise of "trying to decrease the alcohol related incidents", yet they opened the slate bar tent on the friday night with drinks freely available within the grounds.

so it was more of a "you can drink within the grounds, so long as our sponsors and supply partners get the money out of it"

the new coldplay album was also noticably overpromoted between sets.

im just really disappointed in how much theyre selling themselves out.

this was my 5th year in a row and with the upsizing plans for next year i really doubt ill ever go back again unless the lineup is too great to resist - its become something so much less than the awesome splendour i used to love.

FuQjump

FuQjump said on the 5th Aug, 2008

Make it only slightly bigger, but LONGER. Splendour could EASILY support three days or more!

godblesblocprty

godblesblocprty said on the 5th Aug, 2008

the organisers of splendour should step back and have a look at what theyve become.

the festival this year was just an absolute mess of promotional material and money spinning.

the festival was overcrowded as all hell, and the bullshit about not being able to bring alcohol into the campground is an absolute farce.

they claim it under the guise of "trying to decrease the alcohol related incidents", yet they opened the slate bar tent on the friday night with drinks freely available within the grounds.

so it was more of a "you can drink within the grounds, so long as our sponsors and supply partners get the money out of it"

the new coldplay album was also noticably overpromoted between sets.

im just really disappointed in how much theyre selling themselves out.

this was my 5th year in a row and with the upsizing plans for next year i really doubt ill ever go back again unless the lineup is too great to resist - its become something so much less than the awesome splendour i used to love.

(1) there is always a bar open on site friday night.
(2) I think you will find that the organisers don't have control over the police, and that the sec stealing all the alcohol was just to stop the site, organisers and patrons from getting fines.

Kaileah

Kaileah said on the 6th Aug, 2008

It is significantly overcrowded - I don't remember it being this bad back in 06, with the exception of the tunnelway the Supertop and the McLennan stage...

But... purpose built arena means that hopefully, it'll be better catered for next year....

Hopefully... :)

jodesandjust

jodesandjust said on the 8th Aug, 2008

I have been to quite a few splendours over the years, and totally agree they need to step back and have a look at what is has become - now it is all about the money not the music.

anxious0

anxious0 said on the 14th Aug, 2008

It is significantly overcrowded - I don't remember it being this bad back in 06, with the exception of the tunnelway the Supertop and the McLennan stage...

were they actually selling more tickets this year though? Or did it just get busier eariler?

It did seem a lot busier during the day than usual

gumbuoy

gumbuoy said on the 14th Aug, 2008

were they actually selling more tickets this year though? Or did it just get busier eariler?

It did seem a lot busier during the day than usual

the last few years its been getting really busy really early, people want to get a crack at the merch, plus there's good bands on quite early...