The Avalanches @ Splendour In The Grass 2016 Pre-Party, Byron Bay / Photo: Maria Boyadgis

Here’s What Happened When The Avalanches Headlined A Splendour In The Grass Pre-Party

July 22, 2016

Aussie plunderphonics heroes The Avalanches debuted their new full-band live show at an official Splendour In The Grass 2016 pre-party in Byron Bay last night, dispelling any doubts about their ability to realise their heavily produced tracks live, and giving Splendour-goers a taste of what to expect during the group’s festival set.

Taking to the stage at Byron Bay venue The Northern (where the crowd’s phones were actually confiscated), core Avalanches members Robbie Chater (pictured on guitar) and Tony Di Blasi were backed up by drummer Paris Jeffree, with rapper Spank Rock covering for the likes of Avalanches collaborators Danny Brown and Biz Markie while US singer Eliza Wolfgramm handled all the top lines.

The Avalanches played highlights from their latest album Wildflower, like Subways, Because I’m Me and Frankie Sinatra, and also delved back into cuts from their 2000 debut album Since I Left You, including its title track and the beloved Frontier Psychiatrist, which became one of the highlights of the night when the group mashed it up with the Gnarls Barkley hit Crazy.

Music Feeds News Editor Nastassia Baroni was at the gig, and says that the DJ-based bits of the set were super-impressive.

“Di Blasi and Chater were clearly in complete control during the DJ set portion of the gig, puppeteering the crowd with their intuitive and practiced mixing skills. But there was something exhilarating too about witnessing the rawness of their new tracks being transformed live,” she says.

“A sense that we few were present to see The Avalanches in the midst of their experimentation. Being part of that after a 16 year absence — that’s something special.”

Take a look at the full setlist from the Byron Bay Splendour pre-party alongside photos from the show, below.

The Avalanches perform at Splendour In The Grass tonight, Friday, 22nd July, from 9pm local time.

Gallery: Splendour In The Grass 2016 Pre-Party, Byron Bay 21.07.16 / Photos: Maria Boyadgis

Epic set from @theavalanches last night in their pre @splendourinthegrass jam. pic.twitter.com/77bo4c5kuP

— Universal Music Australia (@umusicAU) July 21, 2016