Splendour In The Grass Sideshows

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS SIDE SHOWS ANNOUNCED

Tickets on sale 9am, next Friday MAY 27TH

Not heading to Woodfordia? No problem! Winter just got a whole lot warmer as we’re bringing the best of Splendour to you with these special sideshows.

Here’s your chance to celebrate some of the most illustrious names in music – and get up close & intimate with the hottest new bands to visit Oz.

Hold tight for more special guest announcements to soon join the revelry.

This year, a portion of all tickets purchased on splendoursideshows.com will go toward the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal, which helps Queenslanders affected by the devastation of the recent floods and Tropical Cyclone Yasi.

And now the tours…

PULP

Presented by Video Hits, MAX, The Brag, and Beat.

 Reuniting after a seven-year break are Sheffield’s heroes of ‘90s Britpop, the Jarvis Cocker-led PULP! You won’t want to miss out on these incredible headline shows – and the celebrated outfit are promising to play your favourites. (“Common People”, “Disco 2000”, “Babies”, to name but a few).

With seven albums in 22 years, including the seminal Different Class (1995) and This Is Hardcore (1998), you’d be a fool to miss ‘em. All hail, PULP are back!

Wed 27 July – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney

Fri 29 July – Festival Hall, Melbourne.

FOSTER THE PEOPLE

SPECIAL GUESTS GUINEAFOWL

Presented by Handsome Tours and Secret Sounds Supported by triple j, Video Hits, Channel [V], Groupie, Drum Media, Inpress.

 On their recent February visit, their sold-out East Coast gigs were one hot ticket. Unleashing the irresistible single “Pumped Up Kicks”, Los Angelenos FOSTER THE PEOPLE make buoyant, shimmering electro-pop – and will very soon have a brand new debut album to share. Now the summery trio return!

Wed 27 July – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne Tickets

Fri 29 July – Metro Theatre, Sydney Tickets

JAMES BLAKE

Supported by triple j, Video Hits, Channel [V], Groupie and 3D World.

His sound is spellbinding: call it post-dubstep if you like, but young British composer JAMES BLAKE is impossible to categorise or resist. Live, attention-grabbing singles like “The Wilhelm Scream” ooze with a visceral, rattling power; you could say this classically-trained pianist has imagined an entirely new sound.

On the back of his acclaimed self-titled debut, get set for what will undoubtedly be some of 2011’s most anticipated shows.

Tues 26 July – Prince Bandroom, Melbourne

Thu 28 July – Factory Theatre, Sydney

GROUPLOVE

 SPECIAL GUESTS YOUNG THE GIANT

Supported by triple j, Channel [V], Pedestrian, The Brag, and Beat.

 They’re armed with insatiable melodies & golden-hued guitars: prepare for the arrival of LA indie escapists GROUPLOVE! It’s been a rapid rise for the sunny five-piece, who’ve stolen our hearts with triple j fave “Colours”, from their self-titled EP. With an album out soon, plus recent gigs alongside Florence + the Machine and the Joy Formidable, let’s give GROUPLOVE and fellow Cali band YOUNG THE GIANT a warm welcome on their first trip to Oz.

Tues 2 Aug – Corner Hotel, Melbourne

Wed 3 Aug – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

 THE VACCINES

Supported by triple j, Video Hits, Channel [V], Pedestrian, Drum Media, Inpress.

 Last year the NME labelled them the “worst kept secret in London indie”: it’s fair to say the secret’s out.

 In debut What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?, the blistering British garage-popsters grab you by the throat via tracks such as quick juggernaut “Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)”.

Live, THE VACCINES blast through anthems with barely a breath.

Tues 2 Aug – Metro Theatre, Sydney Tickets

Wed 3 Aug – The Hi-Fi, Melbourne

THE HIVES

SPECIAL GUESTS THE GRATES

Supported by triple j, Video Hits, MAX, Pedestrian, Drum Media and Inpress.

 Setting the bar impossibly high is Sweden’s THE HIVES, who’ve been stripping rock right back to its basics ever since they delivered slices like “Hate to Say I Told You So” and “Main Offender”. Frontman Howlin' Pelle Almqvist is a force of nature on stage: turbo-charged, a lesson in showmanship and always well-dressed, this is one not to be missed.

Mon 25 July – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide

Wed 27 July – Festival Hall, Melbourne Tickets

 Thurs 28 July – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney

 FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS

SPECIAL GUEST LANIE LANE

Presented by MAX, The Brag, and Beat.

Feel like dancing? Putting a modern twist on Motown soul is Hollywood collective FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS, whose Pickin’ Up the Pieces cherrypicks from the best of ‘60s Stax-style cuts, new wave knockouts and funk-infused grooves. With sultry singer Noelle Scaggs out front, this eclectic outfit are a powerhouse live.

Wed 27 July – The Basement,

Fri 29 July – Red Bennies, Melbourne

 DANANANANAYKROYD

SPECIAL GUESTS DZ DEATHRAYS

Presented by Channel [V], Bombshellzine.com, The Brag, and Beat.

 This time ‘round we hope they don’t break any bones on stage... that’s right, DANANANANAYKROYD play hard! In ‘09 they seduced us with “Black Wax” from their rip-roaring debut. Now, with a brand new release due next month – smokin’ Glasgow sextet Dananananaykroyd head back our way for their sophomore stint on Splendour.

Fri 29 July – Annandale Hotel, Sydney

Mon 1 Aug – East Brunswick Club, Melbourne

NOAH AND THE WHALE

Supported by triple j, Video Hits, Channel [V], The Vine, The Brag, and Beat

Three records in, indie-folk popsmiths NOAH AND THE WHALE – led by irrepressible frontman/songwriter Charlie Fink – have delivered their best record yet in the bombastic, beautiful Last Night on Earth.

Prepare for vigorous singalongs, kindred folk spirits, and intimate tales when we catch them on stage: from heart-on-the-sleeve romantic odes to rousing tales of embraces in the night. Don’t miss the infamous energy of this London outfit on their return Australian visit.

Tues 2 Aug – Factory Theatre, Sydney

Wed 3 Aug – Corner Hotel, Melbourne

 KELE

SPECIAL GUESTS STRANGE TALK

Presented by Video Hits, Channel [V], Groupie, and Street Press Australia Ferocious and focused: that’s Bloc Party leader KELE, who is no stranger to Aussie punters. The “Everything You Wanted” singer is back again with band in tow this winter to lay out audiences with the high octane, electronic punch of his celebrated debut solo outing, The Boxer. Make no mistake, the dancefloor wallop of tracks like “Tenderoni” take no prisoners.

Tues 2 Aug – Billboard, Melbourne

Wed 3 Aug – Metro Theatre, Sydney

 Fri 5 Aug – HQ, Adelaide

 MONA

Presented by Video Hits, Channel [V], Groupie, Drum Media, and Inpress.

 Meet your latest band crush: Nashville rock revivalists Mona! Handpicked by the BBC for their annual ‘Sound of 2011’ poll and currently touring alongside Kings of Leon, the hi-fi Southern rockers have the kind of addictive sound (not to mention punk preacher style) that rock & roll legends are made of. “Mona’s never lost a bar fight,” defies singer Nick Brown; look for their debut this month.

Tues 26 July – East Brunswick Club, Melbourne

 Thurs 28 July – Annandale Hotel, Sydney