Pussy Riot, Tony Armstrong and 'The Betoota Advocate' Just Joined Splendour in the Grass' 2023 Lineup

To celebrate its 21st year, Splendour in the Grass has already announced a packed music roster, starting with Lizzo, and also featuring Flume, Mumford & Sons, Lewis Capaldi, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Noah Cyrus, Hilltop Hoods, Sam Fender, J Balvin, Little Simz, Idles, Tove Lo and more. But a month out from the fest, the Byron Bay event isn't done inviting special guests. This party will also now include Pussy Riot, complete with a live interview with Nadya Tolokonnikova — and the collective performing.

Also joining the lineup from Friday, July 21–Sunday, July 23: everyone's favourite ex-AFL player-turned-sports newsreader Tony Armstrong, The Betoota Advocate, Dr Karl, Brooke Boney, and comedians such as Deadloch star Nina Oyama and Michael Hing. While Pussy Riot will indeed take to the GW McLennan stage in what'll be their only live Australian performance, Splendour's program boost is otherwise all about who'll be gracing the Forum, Science Tent and Comedy Club, plus the new Forum Live Podcasts initiative.

Yulia Shur

In another Aussie exclusive, Tolokonnikova will chat with The Project host Hamish Macdonald about being a globally renowned artist and being included on Russia's most-wanted list. That's part of the Forum's lineup, which also spans Boney, Armstrong, Rachael Cavanagh, Dean Parkin and Carla McGrath chatting about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament; a special directors-cut screening of Australian hip hop documentary Burn Gently; and the first-ever Splendour Town Hall, which'll feature Federal Youth Minister Dr Anne Aly.

Dr Karl will do what he does best — break down all things science — in Great Moments in Science; online sex work will be in focus at Social Media x Sex Commerce: The Oldest Profession Meets the Newest Technology; and other sessions will examine new cannabis laws, what it's really like to work in the music industry, pill testing, and why generations Y and Z are doing it tough compared to their parents.

Thanks to Forum Live Podcasts, The Betoota Advocate Podcast will record live, as will What the Flux, Where's Your Head At?, Sometimes Funny Always Awkward, Kinky History and Science Vs.

The Science Tent will feature everything from body farms and forensics to conservation and the science of wellness, while the Splendour Comedy Club will welcome in Oyama, Hing, Nat Damena, Blake Freeman, Alexandra Hudson, Sashi Perera, Rosie Delaney, Hot Department and more.

Mitch Lowe

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2023 MUSIC LINEUP:

Lizzo
Flume (Australian exclusive: ten years of Flume)
Mumford & Sons (Australian exclusive)
Lewis Capaldi
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Hilltop Hoods
J Balvin
Sam Fender
Idles
Little Simz
Tove Lo
100 Gecs (Australian 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

Mix Up DJs:
Tseba
Crybaby
Latifa Tee
Foura
Caucasianopportunities
Luen
Mowgli
DJ Macaroni
Crescendoll

Splendour in the Grass will take over North Byron Bay Parklands from Friday, July 21–Sunday, July 23, 2023 — head to the festival website for further details and tickets.

Top image: Dave Kan.