Festivalgoers are flocking to sunny Byron Bay as Splendour in the Grass kicks off its jam-packed three days of music and arts.
Revellers attending the popular festival have been urged to be on their best behaviour, with a high-visibility police operation of more than 100 officers underway at the event, targeting drug use and alcohol-fuelled violence.
But it hasn’t deterred eager fans to flock to the Byron Bay parklands for a packed line-up including Lizzo, Flume and Mumford and Sons.
Even a disastrous 2022 which left thousands of concertgoers shivering in the cold and rain while coated in mud, up to 35,000 people are set to enjoy the festival this weekend.
Splendour In The Grass organisers were forced to apologise after last year’s festival was marred with numerous issues, including flooded campsites, boggy conditions and hours long delays getting visitors home.
Attendees reported waiting up to six hours in crowded, muddy lines to get on pre-booked buses out of the festival, while an entire day of music was cancelled and an outbreak of meningococcal was reported.
But this year revellers have flooded social media with the festival kicking off on Friday and gearing up for a wild weekend.
Pictures show attendees smiling and filming videos as the sun shone on the parklands for a dry start to the weekend.
Videos showed revellers dancing in groups in front of a stage, while others posed with friends on the notorious hill in celebration of the festival.
While festivalgoers are dressed to the nines and ready to party, the three-day party is struggling to make a comeback after a woeful 2022 festival.
Ticket sales are down 30 per cent with only 35,000 being sold this year compared to 50,000 last year.
While some believe it’s a result of the backlash the festival received last year, Splendour In The Grass co-producer Jessica Ducrou suggested it was a reflection of the “current economy” and the cost-of-living crisis.
Major frontliner Lewis Capaldi also cancelled his spot on the line-up weeks before the event, citing health issues.
“We are seeing a lot of people buying single-day tickets rather than three days and that is very much a reflection on the budget,” Ms Ducrou told the ABC.
“No doubt last year’s experiences have impacted on sales as well,” she said.
The festival will have a raft of new measures this year to avoid chaos, including new traffic management measures and vehicle passes to ensure revellers have a smooth entrance.
“We know last night’s journey home was s***** for some of you.通常需要一些时间才能让所有人离开会场，我们很抱歉您在 Splendour 遇到了这种经历。”组织者在去年的音乐节结束后说道。
特威德/拜伦警察区的警官也将与新南威尔士州警犬队一起在现场监视活动。
交通和公路巡逻指挥部的其他单位也将部署在周边地区，以打击音乐节观众的酒后毒驾和其他危险活动。
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警长戴夫·罗普特尔 (Dave Roptell) 表示，几个月来，警方一直在“与活动组织者密切合作”，以确保活动顺利进行。
“那些选择做错事的人可能会为自己和他人破坏活动，而那些携带非法物质的人可能会被抓获并受到相应处理，”警长罗普特尔 (Roptell) 说。
警长罗普特尔 (Roptell) 表示，所有参加音乐节的人都应该互相照顾。
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“喝大量的水，采取适当的防晒措施，并留意你的同伴——确保他们不会独自走动，如果他们出现不适，请立即寻求专业医疗护理，”他说。
节日将持续到周日。
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