If Splendour wasn’t in your calendar, its upcoming 20th anniversary should be. With the organisers hyping up their next lineup, speculation is pointing to some major headliners. With an earlier than usual lineup announcement on the horizon, let’s dive into ten potential headliners.
Travis Scott
Photo courtesy of Lorne Thomson
Travis Scott is at the height of his powers. ‘Astroworld’ broke his distinct brand of rap well into the mainstream. After a legendary 2016 Listen Out appearance, fans have been eagerly awaiting Scott’s notorious live show to return down under, with the cancellation of the ill-fated Sandtunes festival further postponing Scott’s return.
Splendour recently capitalised on Childish Gambino’s withdrawal from Spilt Milk, and we can see the same thing occurring with Scott. The ball is in Splendour’s court, Australia is ready for Travis Scott.
Likelihood: Strong
Rage Against the Machine
Photo courtesy of the band
With so much hype circulating around reunion tours (we’re looking at you, My Chemical Romance), the reunion announcement of Rage Against the Machine sent every head-banging fan into a frenzy. With a confirmed spot on the Coachella bill, RATM would be the exact legacy act that would make Splendour’s 20th anniversary so iconic.
In spite of that fake poster, we’re still thinking its legit. The hype surrounding the fake leak could very well be the reason that the Splendour promotors are jumping the gun on announcing the lineup early, as we’re sure that they’re not taking their 20th anniversary lightly. Splendour is renowned for booking beloved bands of years past, and there’s no better time to book Rage after Denzel Curry’s Like a Version. Rage is in the air!
Likelihood: Strong
Flume
Photo courtesy of the artist
The anniversary of an iconic Australian festival needs an iconic Australian headliner. While many would expect the reunion of an Aussie band, we’re thinking the reunion duties will be left to Rage Against the Machine. If Tame Impala just headlined this festival past, who else but Flume is at the forefront of Australian music?
Flume has had nothing but a triumphant year, following his most commercial release yet with ‘Hi This is Flume’, a mixtape weird enough to scare your neighbours away. The mixtape solidified his status as one of the biggest names in EDM, and we wouldn’t be surprised if Flume kept the ball rolling with a fully-fledged third studio album next year. He’s certainly no stranger to Aussie festivals, although you can’t help but imagine Flume flying the Aussie music flag at Splendour’s biggest party next year.
Likelihood: Maybe
The Strokes
Photo courtesy of the band
Every year finds another rumour about The Strokes working on an album. However, the premiere of new material at recent shows is the best indication of such activity. Their past release found them gracing Splendour, as they’ve avoided headline touring for years, rather opting for a one-off festival slot
Although, it does seem unlikely that Splendour would put two rock acts on the headliner bill, with our bets skewing towards Rage Against the Machine.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Lana Del Rey
Photo courtesy of Tristan Fewings
The grand, sweeping ballads of Lana Del Rey seem purpose-built for a cold night at the Byron Bay amphitheatre. Charged with defiance and wit, Lana’s dark pop has been the catalyst for her transformation into an icon of the Tumblr era, pop idol, and outcast.
Her most recent endeavour, ‘Norman F*****g Rockwell’, finds her sound considerably stripped back all the while laying everything on the table. We could only imagine Lana providing the soundtrack to the final night in Byron Bay, our highlights and regrets of the weekend in her hands as she commands the crowd with one of pop’s strongest voices.
The 20th anniversary should be a celebration of who has paved the way for music during Splendour’s lifetime, and if anyone has paved their way through pop, it is Lana.
Likelihood: Strong
Smashing Pumpkins
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Weinberg
As we’ve said, the likelihood of an iconic band at Splendour’s 20th anniversary is likely, and if it isn’t Rage, it could be Smashing Pumpkins. The Seattle icons would bring a distinct grunge flavour to the Amphitheatre that is reminiscent of the festival’s early rock routes. While our bets are still with Rage turning the Amphitheatre into a frenzy, Smashing Pumpkin would sure as hell bring rock back to Byron.
Likelihood: Maybe
The Weeknd
Photo courtesy of Rich Fury
Splendour has skewed towards pop in the past couple of years – Khalid, Gambino, Lorde. All artists with a high calibre of pop that avoids generic conventions.
The twisted, evocative pop of the Weeknd could very well be Splendour’s strongest pop booking yet. The Toronto star’s brooding pop is set to reach new heights next year with another album in the works, and while he is usually restricted to stadium tours, the Weeknd proved his festival prowess at Coachella 2018. With heavy-hitting new material and a bold new look, we would love the Weeknd to call out our name.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Frank Ocean
Photo courtesy of Corbis
This pick could be a bit biased, Frank Ocean is one of our favourite artists. But hey! Hear us out. With rumours of a Coachella appearance and US tour next year, in addition to another album, if any year was the year for Frank to appear, it is this 2020.
Fans haven’t forgotten his unfortunate withdrawal from 2012, but they certainly wouldn’t forget his 2020 appearance either.
Likelihood: Maybe
The Killers
Photo courtesy of the band
What’s a festival without a singalong? You can’t go wrong with the anthem to every mid-2000’s house party. Once again, there probably isn’t enough room for The Killers alongside Rage or The Strokes, but you never know. Say what you want about The Killers, we would struggle to find anyone not filled with pure joy as they drunkenly chant Mr Brightside at the amphitheatre.
Likelihood: Unlikely
Powderfinger
Photo courtesy of the band
We had to sneak this one in. An appearance by Powderfinger would be the pinnacle of an Aussie reunion act. It would mark Splendour’s 20th anniversary perfectly, as they headlined their very first two festivals way back when. We caught a glimpse of the insane potential of such a reunion at Splendour 2017, and haven’t stopped dreaming of an entire festival set ever since.
Likelihood: Maybe
It’s safe to say we’re pretty keen for Splendour’s 20th birthday, so expect plenty more coverage leading up to our favourite weekend.