As Australia’s premier festival Splendour in the Grass is undoubtedly the best place for any Aussie punter to catch the biggest names in music. This year is no different, featuring the likes of Tame Impala, Childish Gambino and Chance the Rapper to say the least. Nonetheless, curators at Splendour are just as well versed in up and coming artists as they are with the biggest names. Here are five under the radar acts you must catch at Splendour.
MorMor
Sweeping, synth-laden instrumentals and introspective sounds are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to MorMor. The Toronto artist has carved out a niche of his own, blending dream pop with seemingly every other genre to mesmerising effect. The bittersweet feeling of his ‘Heaven’s Only Wishful’ EP (2018) stems from his masterful multi-instrumental approach to song-writing, a creative process that was proven just as successful in his follow-up EP ‘Some Place Else’ (2019). Bound to be one of the most emotionally provoking sets of the festival, be sure to catch MorMor on Sunday.
Channel Tres
Hip-hop and house music has never sounded more complimentary than when in the hands of Channel Tres. Pulsating house beats that feel right at home in Detroit or Chicago provide an off-kilter backdrop for Channel’s Tres uniquely baritone flow. The Compton artist brings his West-Coast rap sensibilities to the completely different house music genre. In spite of this rare fusion, the marriage of house music and catchy West-Coast hooks results in a discography that is set to win punters over on Saturday.
Little Simz
If Little Simz’s track ‘Venom’ proves anything, it is that the North London rapper’s flow and sound is as lethal as the title of the track itself. The acclaim from many of hip-hop’s greatest names, including none other than Kendrick Lamar, is justified upon listening to Little Simz. Wearing the influences of jazz, R&B, and grime proudly on her sleeve, Little Simz is the product of London’s diverse music culture, possessing a sound that is at once hard-hitting and mesmerising in its wordplay. Expect to see Little Simz turn heads at Splendour.
Moaning Lisa
On the local side of things lies Moaning Lisa, the Canberra four-piece that are unapologetic in their undeniably intelligent, sarcastic, witty and relatable observations. Backed by fuzzy grunge instrumentals, Moaning Lisa never shies away from their raucous side and it pays off. With similarities to The Pixies, Wolf Alice, and Sonic Youth in all the right ways, Moaning Lisa is fit to make quite the name for themselves at Splendour.
Hatchie
Hatchie shines bright on the Splendour lineup. The Brisbane-based dream pop artist has won the hearts of critics and fans alike in only a mere year with her woozy vocals and colourful, slightly shoegaze instrumentation. With her 2018 EP ‘Sugar & Spice’ providing a five-track glimpse into Hatchie’s potential, the forthcoming debut album ‘Keepsake’ has already proven to draw from post-punk, new wave and disco from the singles alone. Hatchie is a rising star in the Australian scene, and will undoubtedly captivate Splendour punters on the first day of the festival.
For more Splendour in the Grass info, head to their website. Stay tuned for more Splendour content as the countdown to Australia’s biggest festival begins.