Joining the likes of Soundwave, Coachella and Lollapalooza, organisers of this year’s Splendour In The Grass have said no to the ubiquitous wand of narcissism, more commonly referred to as the selfie stick.
The device has now found itself a place on Splendour’s “Banned Items” list as one of the items “that are not allowed inside the entertainment precinct”. Its neighbours include fireworks, flares, skateboards, boogie boards, laser lights and water pistols.
Various festival organisers have recently pointed out a few issues presented by selfie sticks – other than the fact that they’re, by name and nature, actual sticks that can be used to hurt fellow punters.
Not only are they distracting to the rest of the audience members, they can also be viewed as encouragement for the unauthorised recording of festival performances, something that happens anyway but is not usually so overt.
So, if you’re heading to Splendour, you are advised to leave the selfie stick at home. Presumably next to your boogie board, laser and water pistol. No-one said anything about gumboot bongs though.
It’s OK though, you’ll be too busy watching Blur, Florence + The Machine, Mark Ronson, Tame Impala and the rest of the killer 100 + acts on the 2015 lineup, to worry about taking a damn selfie.