Impromptu Splendour "Make Up" Shows Set Byron's Friday Alight

23 July 2022 | 1:33 pm | Stephen Green

You can cancel the Splendour main stages, but you can't cancel the vibe.

More Baker Boy More Baker Boy

Byron Bay was alight last night as partygoers refused to let the cancellation of the first day of Splendour In The Grass dampen their vibe. With well over fifty performances cancelled after wild weather impacted the festival site, punters and artists alike spilled out into pubs and clubs across the North Coast as the entire region became it's own party zone. 

The Beach Hotel in Byron played host to a huge lineup with Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Baker Boy and Confidence Man featuring in a pretty great night of music. Ex-Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning also dropped around to join Baker Boy, jamming on a version of their new collaboration of his solo hit 'Wish You Well'.


The Fresh Prince of Arnhem Land also pulled a pretty great version of Blur's 'Song 2' out of his back pocket. Unfortunately Liam Gallagher was not lurking to reignite the Oasis vs Blur wars. Over at the Railway Friendly Bar, George Alice, May-A, The Buoys and Adam Newling pulled out a great set for adoring fans as well. The Great Northern played host to imports Sofi Tukker who had come a long way to NOT play their set. 

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Over at Brunswick Heads, Wet Leg, The Lazy Eyes and Nice Biscuit popped up for a killer night of live music at the Brunswick Picture House. The bands slayed it and while nobody's happy Splendour's day one was derailed, who could have expected a small-venue gig like this to remember forever. 

Over at the Splendour site, while it was muddy, the crowd simply refused to give in, creating a big night of celebration. While the skies were open, so were the bars and while the live music might not have been flowing, the beverages and the tunes certainly were. It's certainly not the first night of Splendour anyone was expecting, but after three long years of waiting, Australia's live music fans were not going to let muddy boots and soggy tents get in the way of a great night out. 

Onwards and upwards for day two!