Back with more to explore at North Byron Parklands, the much-anticipated lineup for everyone's favourite electronic dance stage, THE FOREST is revealed today. Stacked with a host of genre-bending music producers, ever-evolving DJs, otherworldly projections and awe-inspiring art performances. It’s time to limber up and prepare to party!
Turning the dial up even further, Splendour welcomes back RAINBOW BAR for a second year. Get ready to enter an oh-so-fabulous fun time with some of the hottest music tastemakers in the queer scene.
THE FOREST
Ready to turn up the bass? Then it’s time to make your way to Splendour’s beloved haven of underground and alternative beats at THE FOREST. The beating heart of Splendour is once again ready to present boundary-busting sonic and visual delights. Prepare to be awe-struck by the eclectic sounds of psytrance, glitch pop and signature drum and bass, to full-tilt techno and everything in between, THE FOREST is an electronic wonderland ready to welcome you.
Take in the luminous light shows, internationally celebrated visual design, exciting contemporary dance and moving artworks as you feel the thump traverse through your body. Enjoy the tight, off beat grooves from Mexican-Australian producer Unseen Dimensions, take an eclectic sonic journey through the dirty bass grooves to the fusion acoustic instruments and grand cinematic break downs of Dysphemic, and be entranced by Wilma’s hybrid DJ sets featuring her electric cello while you prepare from some A-grade progressive psy-trance from two of Australia’s psy/prog-pioneers – James and Peter Haza AKA Twisted Sibling. And that’s just the beginning of THE FOREST’s stacked lineup!
Delight your sense of adventure as world-class fire entertainment production company Cinders Ashes turn up the heat with their internationally recognised fire eaters and performers, while contemporary dance collective Creative Creatures add flair to your festival experience. Don’t miss the specially commissioned art piece for THE FOREST, created by Spectacle Art’s principal designer and internationally acclaimed artist and designer, Clint Hurrell. Hurrell specialises in stage facades, lighting design and large-scale outdoor art installations. That’s as THE FOREST is lit up with unique, live, videos provided by the wizards of Eyebyte.
Check out the full program for THE FOREST below and get ready to move in this transcendental world.
MUSIC (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
ABEL, CAPTAIN COOKED, DOPPEL, DYSPHEMIC, FRAKTAL FAIRIE, FR3AKY, GEZ, JAMIE LOWE, LILXBIT, MATIJO, R.I.A., TAYA., THEMZY, TRIP SYNDICATE, TWISTED SIBLING, TWITCH, UNSEEN DIMENSION, WILMA, YURINA, Z.I.V.
PERFORMERS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
CINDERS ASHES, CREATIVE CREATURES, HANNAH INDIGO, STRANGE DREAMS
VISUAL ARTISTS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
ENSAMBLE DESIGN STUDIO, EYEBYTE, JUST CHUCK, RITUAL EARTH, SPECTACLE ART
RAINBOW BAR
Two of Australia’s finest queer party icons, GiRLTHING and POOF DOOF are heading back to RAINBOW BAR for a second year! Serving up mesmerising DJ performances from all genres and colours of the rainbow flag to go-go dancers and more, LGBTQIA+ (and allies) inclusive dance club RAINBOW BAR is your go to destination for outrageous antics with maximum sparkle.
GiRLTHING made its grand entrance upon Sydney's LGBTQIA+ scene in 2008. Launching the pioneering "indie queer girl social" on Sydney's iconic Oxford Street every Thursday, GiRLTHING has since frequented every major club in Sydney, not to mention Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. GiRLTHING fosters a vibrant community of safe spaces including queer art galleries, underground warehouse parties, lesbian skate competitions, sweaty club nights and more. The queer institution will take over RAINBOW BAR on Friday 21 July and Sunday 23 July.
FEATURING
NAHAL + CHELA + CRESCENDOLL + JAMAN + JACQUI CUNNINGHAM + POOF DOOF SUPERSTARS, DRAG SHOWS AND GOGO DANCERS!
POOF DOOF has solidified its itself as THE premier queer dance club brand in Australia since its inception in 2011. With an unwavering focus on music, POOF DOOF swiftly claimed its throne as the ultimate nocturnal haven, a go-to night out fuelled by a profound love for exceptional dance music and late nights. POOF DOOF and its Pride Patrol stage activations have toured mainstream events, providing safe spaces for queer patrons and showcasing the best LGBTQIA+ talent in the country. Get ready as they take over RAINBOW BAR on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July.
Meet Dammit Janet, Danni Issues, Daphne Gaye, Kalin Klein and Venus Pagina for DRAG BRUNCH as they present an array of raunchy activities. Leave your filter at the door with the RuPaul inspired fan favourite ‘Lipsync for Your Life’ and be prepared for serendipitous encounters as they grace the festival grounds over the festival weekend.
FEATURING
DRAG BRUNCH: SHOWS, GAMES & LIPSYNC FOR YOUR LIFE WITH DAMMIT JANET, DANNI ISSUES, DAPHNE GAYE, KALIN KLEIN, VENUS PAGINA & KING + NIC HOLLAND + ARGONAUT + JIMI THE KWEEN + JARRED BAKER
Then prepare to make like Hannah Montana and get the best of both worlds on Sunday 23 July as the forces of POOF DOOF and GiRLTHING unite for SUNDAY FUNDAY at Splendour’s RAINBOW BAR.
FEATURING
DRAG BRUNCH: SHOWS, GAMES & LIPSYNC FOR YOUR LIFE WITH DAMMIT JANET, DANNI ISSUES, DAPHNE GAYE, KALIN KLEIN, VENUS PAGINA & KING + JACQUI CUNNINGHAM + DJ DOLLY LLAMA + JARRED BAKER + NIPSLIP + POOF DOOF SUPERSTARS, DRAG SHOWS AND GOGO DANCERS!
So are you ready? These amazing spaces and so much more are ready for you to explore Splendour in the Grass 2023!
TICKETING INFO
Tickets on sale now from Moshtix
SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2023
Friday 21, Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July
Ngarindjin / North Byron Parklands
126 Tweed Valley Way, Yelgun (15 mins north of Byron Bay)
splendourinthegrass.com
LIZZO * FLUME (AUS EXCLUSIVE: 10 YEARS OF FLUME) * MUMFORD & SONS (AUS EXCLUSIVE) * LEWIS CAPALDI * YEAH YEAH YEAHS * HILLTOP HOODS * J BALVIN * SAM FENDER * IDLES * LITTLE SIMZ * TOVE LO * 100 GECS (AUS EXCLUSIVE) * ARLO PARKS * BALL PARK MUSIC * IANN DIOR * KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD * 070 SHAKE * PNAU * RUEL * LOYLE CARNER * BENEE * MARLON WILLIAMS * HOOLIGAN HEFS * PEACH PRC * PALACE * DUNE RATS * TKAY MAIDZA * NOAH CYRUS * SKEGSS * SUDAN ARCHIVES * CUB SPORT * MEG MAC * X CLUB. * CLAIRE ROSINKRANZ * JACK RIVER * THE SMITH STREET BAND * LASTLINGS * JEREMY ZUCKER * YOUNG FRANCO * SLY WITHERS * MAY-A * THE VANNS * TELENOVA * VALLIS ALPS * JAMESJAMESJAMES * KAYCYY * RVG * TEENAGE DADS * BALMING TIGER * AUTOMATIC * HARVEY SUTHERLAND * GALI * DEL WATER GAP * ROYEL OTIS * SHAG ROCK * BIG WETT * MIA WRAY * MEMPHIS LK * GOLD FANG * MILKU * SUMNER * FOREST CLAUDETTE * FULL FLOWER MOON BAND * WILLIAM CRIGHTON * HELLCAT SPEEDRACER * TRIPLE J UNEARTHED WINNERS * PLUS MIX UP DJ’S TSEBA * CRYBABY * LATIFA TEE * FOURA * CAUCASIANOPPORTUNITIES * LUEN * MOWGLI * DJ MACARONI * CRESCENDOLL