Licensing rule change sees under 18s banned from Splendour In The Grass festival

Less than two weeks before its staging, last-minute restrictions imposed by NSW Liquor and Gaming will prevent under 18s attending Byron Bay’s Splendour In The Grass festival unless they are companied by an adult at all times when on the event grounds.

Set to commence on 22nd July, festival organiser Secret Sounds have advised that they had only been informed of the decision by NSW Police late last week.

In a statement, Secret Sounds advised “we were only informed of this late Thursday and we are very unhappy about these major changes being forced on the festival at such a late stage.

“We understand the impact it will have on many of our patrons. We also don’t want you to walk away with a fine.

“So we want you all to be aware that Police will be present at the event, roaming throughout the crowd checking that underage minors are with a responsible adult.”

The new regulations for the event, which previously only applied to people under 16 years of age, means those unable to find an adult chaperon will have to sell their tickets, while accompanying adults will have to source last minute tickets via the Splendour resale facility.

Ticketholders were advised of the change in an email from ticket provider Moshtix, and via the festival’s official social media accounts posted, explaining that it was “not Splendour’s decision” and that organisers were “very unhappy” about the situation.

Moshtix’s communication to ticket holders added “we appreciate that this is not ideal, we are not happy about this late change however we must adhere to these new conditions imposed on us by the Police and Liquor and Gaming.”

Following the advice to ticketholders, many took to social media to advise of their frustration.

Under NSW liquor laws, a responsible adult is defined as a parent or guardian, the minor's spouse or de facto partner, or person standing in as a parent for the time being.

Impacted by COVID-19, Splendour In The Grass was last held in 2019.

In March 2021, just a day before Byron Bay's Bluesfest was set to start, NSW Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard issued a public health order cancelling the event.

Images: Splendour In The Grass' main stage (top) and the notice released on social media by organisers on Monday (below).