Important Things To Remember Before Fanging It Through Splendour’s Gates

One does not simply *rock up* to Splendour in the Grass.

There are many things (aside from your fine self) that you need to remember before walking through those entry gates. Trust us on this – the simple checklist, below, will ensure you don’t annoy your mates and that you’ll have a grand ol’ time once inside the grounds. 

Go on, live your best festival life.

BRING VALID PHOTO ID

You’ve gotta bring valid photo ID – current passport, government-issued Proof of Age card, Victorian Keypass or current driver’s license (Aussie or international with a photo) – that corresponds with the name and D.O.B printed on your ticket as both must be shown for admission. If you’re unable to show an accepted form of photo ID for whatever reason, you will be treated as a minor and excluded from all bar service and bar areas. 

PRINT OFF YOUR TIX & TIMETABLE PRIOR

I’m guessing you’ve been waiting a long time for this weekend to arrive so you really don’t want to bring any element of hassle into that equation. While many people use their phones to show their tickets and check set times, you can’t solely rely on that.

Why? You ain’t in the big smoke anymore, so it’s best to go old school to ensure you don’t get impacted by possible patchy reception. We know printing can be a drag (don’t forget a copy of the ticket for your car dashboard while you’re there) and really ain’t ideal for the trees, but you’ll probably check those set times more than you’ll go to the toilet during the festival tbh. 

If you’re still not keen, try the Splendour app. 

PHONE RECEPTION POINTS & CHARGERS ARE INSIDE TO HELP YA

Losing your mates is an easily resolved situation in a shopping centre, out at a bar and well, almost anywhere that doesn’t involve thousands of punters chewing up the coverage, because you can just call or text them. On a festival site, however, there’s a high chance you won’t receive any contact from them until hours after the fact.

At Splendour this year, there are things called COW’s (Cell On Wheels temporary tower) for a variety of mobile companies that’ll expand your network coverage. Visa will be providing WIFI towers as well, with surrounding benches so you can chill while you connect. 

Phone charging lockers are available onsite but as you can imagine, they can be hot property. If you want to spend your time wisely then bring one of those travel phone chargers instead. 

DRINK TOKENS AREN’T A THING FOR SITG 2017

Praise be. This year cash-LESS is king. Cashless terminals have been installed at all bar facilities throughout Splendour, so you can Visa payWave and spend less time waiting in lines. Yay for that. And you’ll be able to use Samsung / Apple / Android Pay via your phone with Visa as well. Considering your phone is coming along for the ride anyway for photos, staying in touch and social media’ing, it’s a safe bet. 

DON’T EVEN TRY & BRING IN SOMETHING RIDIC

Splendour is a breeding ground for the creatively minded and it’s not unusual for people to try and bring in props and such that’ll be a conversation starter for friends they’re bound to make. Below is your comprehensive list of banned items (from Splendour’s official site). You’ve been warned.  

• Alcohol brought in from outside of event bars 
• Illegal drugs 
• Glass 
• Cans and metal water bottles 
• Full or partly full plastic bottles of water, soft drink etc 
• Fireworks, flares, fire twirling paraphernalia (sticks, balls etc) 
• Skateboards 
• Boogie boards and Boogie board covers 
• Milk/bread crates 
• Chairs (folding, portable, camping) 
• Anything studded (i.e. belts, wristbands etc) 
• Weapons of any kind 
• Containers of liquid fuel 
• Video and audio recording devices, including GoPros (other than mobile phones) 
• Drones 
• Professional still cameras (small still cameras are fine) 
• Laser lights 
• Umbrellas
• Selfie sticks (good)
• Water pistols 
• Protest paraphernalia and banners 
• Any other items considered illegal or dangerous 
• Animals (with the exception of service or assistance animals, such as guide dogs)

SECURITY WILL BE RIGHT THERE WITH YOU

In addition to the above, there will be cops and their security dog friends at the gates and onsite. Naturally you’ll want to pat the dogs (I get it, I do), but don’t. If you see anyone in trouble then you should 10/10 alert your officials.

KNOW THE BLOODY RIGHT TAGS

I dunno about you, but I get really uncomfortable when people don’t use the correct handle and tags for events (but maybe that’s just my PR background resurfacing, idk). Anyway – the official hashtag is #SITG2017. Easy. Remember it. If you’re trying to market yourself on the ‘gram, Splendour’s a great opportunity to really push that. #Fact. 

Happy Splendour’ing, fam.

Photo: Savannah van der Niet / Facebook.