It’s almost upon us, well August anyway, the one festival of the year that marries Indy/Dance music with traditional hippy surrounds – Byron Bay’s Splendour in the Grass.

After speculation regarding the timing of this year’s festival now sorted -the festival has moved weekends but not locations and will take place on the 4th and 5th of August at Belongil Fields Byron Bay. It promises a ‘wowsers’ line-up- that even the fussiest music enthusiast will find something to jump up and down about. But you best be on your toes as tickets go on sale this Monday 14 May and mark my words they will sell out in record time.

Why? Well if the first release of acts is anything to go by, you’d be daft not to be sitting on your computer clicking refresh for tickets to come to you at 9 am. It includes some seasoned Splendour faves, like International limelight stealers Bloc Party. We can expect them to be playing a full energy dark and dancey show featuring much of the material from both their two albums the latest being “A weekend in the City”.

Also part of the UK entourage, those crazy garage-punksters, Arctic Monkeys return to Australian shores, almost a year to the day for another dose of Australian fans. Alex Turner and his crew are likely to find something to write home about and possibly a new album will be spawned out of this trip given the speed with which they seem to be churning them out lately. No doubt they’ll be performing tracks from their latest and solid offering “Favourite Worst Nightmare”.

Capping off an already strong UK billing is the Klaxons, who Australian audiences are going mad for at the moment. The crew from Atlantis have found their own unique sound that fits within the very fashionable synthesised 80s revamp that is coming from all over the globe. If you want to experience these neo- music knights and they’re dazzling live show, Splendour would be the place to do it.

Rounding out a solid local/national line-up is the Finger. Yes Powderfinger will treat us with their first shows out of hiatus. They might have experienced some controversy over songs yet to be released, but no doubt Bernard and his merry band will be creating harmony among the audience when they play as headliners for Saturday.

Josh Pyke who has recently embarked on a national tour- reaching sell out crowds, will provide that mellower, Indy sound that Splendour is renowned for. So too the widely acclaimed Sarah Blasko comes back to Splendour for a journey filled set.

Expatriate round out the soft rock. Aus lads who are growing accustomed to fame as they enjoy success with their latest single “Crazy” finding high rotation.

I did say some seasoned performers will be out in force for this Splendour – Hilltop Hoods are set to raise the roof with their awesome stage presence and crowd pumping abilities. I know I’ve enjoyed a good dance to these guys at Splendour’s gone by.

So if that isn’t enough to whet your appetite what about the likes of Hoodoo Gurus? They must have won the “old timers but still rocking” slot – previously filled by ex Beach Boy Brian Wilson and as well there is some percussive/roots thrown in for good measure in the shape of Blue King Brown.

There are loads more including Lilly Allen, Kaiser Chiefs and Hot Chip - honestly with another round of acts yet to be announced…you’re truly a daft punk if you don’t get in for this one!