5 things to improve at Splendor

Oh Splendor in the Grass, we like it, we spend as if we spent Christmas, it can sometimes be a little difficult, but the year would not be complete without it.

As would say any business coach, there are no complaints, only opportunities for improvement, so here is totally spontaneous but free advice to the organizers of Splendor.

Let's first say that Splendor in the Grass is a very well managed event, a world-class example of how things are done in this industry. We really think that.

But some adjustments here and there would make it an even better festival.

So, here we go:

1. No smoking: It's in 2018 and if I was able to leave the cold turkey after 20 years of smoking a pack a day, it's just that we can all enjoy one. smoke-free festival. I do not have any opinion on vaping, so we can come back to that one later, but for the moment, can we just get the guys from Splendor into the ship to get diamonds stuck to nicotine patches?

2. Name the parking lanes already! : You get there in the light of day, sober and fresh, and 12 hours later, after a walk of 3 km from the parking door, and in the middle of the night, all the cars even and even after took the precaution of counting the lanes and taking a picture of my location, I still managed to lose myself for five minutes.

Again, can we tap into the creativity of craftsmen and make signs please?

We could even organize a competition via the program Ben and Liam of Triple J to name them …

The sky is the limit.

3. Load for water: No, I do not advocate paying $ 5 for a liter of water, and I'm all about allowing people to use reusable containers, but when you put a label on everything that contains the word "free" people use it and abuse it.

The bright young minds saw the tanks "free water" and decided to let the free water flow, well, freely. So, the water was wasted, the area became muddy and after three days the place was shabby.

Charge $ 1 for access to water and you will see that no one is wasting what is not free.

4. : It was great to have access to tap-and-go facilities around the festival, but it became increasingly apparent that bettors had to trust the person who operated the machine. at flow rate. . The lack of screens showing the amount invoiced was compounded by the fact that some suppliers were unable to produce a receipt. On the other hand, some providers could send e-mails or text receipts instead of printing them, which was fine.

5. Teenagers near the tunnel begging bracelets: After a long day of work or work (or play, as the case may be), the last thing bettors want is to be harassed by the children. Under the tunnel, well lit but still closed and sometimes lonely, I was asked if I had a day pass to give away for free by three young teens coming out of the festival on Saturday. They became too persistent and slightly aggressive after declining their request.

Despite being younger, shorter and not intimidating, they only stopped asking me for the bracelet because I told them that I needed it to work and because I was not sure. they could see people coming behind me.

But like all n & # It's not negative, here are three things I really liked about this year's festival:

1. Shuttle from the parking area : What a difference to have the opportunity to wait for a shuttle or walk from the parking area to the gates of the # 39; event. Good game. This made a huge difference for many bettors. I walked as this annual ritual of walking to and from the festival is all the cardio I do for the year.

2. Australian Music: Much of the line-up has been made up of young artists, many women, who are just putting their foot on the door and this festival has really put their names on the market. For Skegss and Seaside from Byron Bay to G Flip newcomers and even someone like Sampa The Great, who has already played at the festival twice before, this year's festival was a great way to discover great Australian talent.

3. The food was glorious: For someone who is always suspicious of food that is not cooked before my eyes, the idea of ​​eating at a music festival is never tempting, but Splendor always brings out great salespeople. This year, Newcastle's Bao Brothers (bao is a Taiwanese dish, like an Asian taco, and their ginger bao tofu was unparalleled), the affogatos of Byron's Baylato (the coffee with ice cream is the best pick-me -up) and Pipi Cucu Empanadas offered cheese and ham pudding (South American pates), the best end-of-the-day snack on the way back to the car park.

See you next year.