Chances are that if you’re reading this right now, you are currently not at Splendour In The Grass. Or, you are at Splendour and are choosing to read this instead of seeing a whole lineup of amazing bands.

Either way, there is no doubt that your Instagram and Facebook feeds are absolutely clogged with muddy boots, pics of your favourite band, and tales of your mates having the time of their lives. FOMO levels are at an all-time high, so we’ve compiled a list of things to do in order to help you survive the weekend. Remember, you can always go next year!

Experience It From Home

Years ago, the only way you could experience a festival that you weren’t attending was through a review in a music magazine and a very hazy retelling that your friend gave you. Luckily for us, media are going with round-the-clock coverage of the entire event, so we can feel like we are actually there.

This year, triple j are going all out with their Splendour In The Grass presentation. From midday to midnight Friday, Saturday, and Sunday they are broadcasting live from Splendour In The Grass (AKA that means that they’re probably broadcasting right now). That’s 36 hours of Splendour goodness across the weekend, plus you get to sleep in your own bed when you’ve had enough.

The Js will be broadcasting straight from the festival grounds, and along with the usual hijinks, they’re going to be interviewing a bunch of great acts, and playing live sets from half the lineup – everyone from San Cisco to Mark Ronson, The Smith Street Band to Florence + The Machine, Allday to Tame Impala. Check the schedule and make sure you don’t miss your fav.

Telstra TV

If you’re looking for something more visually stimulating, Telstra is presenting a live video stream on YouTube on Sunday that’s running from 5pm until midnight. They’ve got presenters catching you up on all the big stuff that’s happened at Splendour, and they’re going to be airing full sets from Of Monsters & Men, Peking Duk and Blur.

If you’re a forgetful person, Telstra have even set it up so you can register yourself to receive text messages when bands are about to (virtually) hit the stage. Between all this and the photos that are flooding your Instagram, you’re practically there!

Catch A Sideshow

There are a bunch of Splendour sideshows happening around Sydney this weekend (as well as a bunch of great non-Splendour-related gigs). There’s even mini-festivals happening around town like Blood, Sweat & Beers, and One Day Sundays. You can check out our gig guide to see what’s happening, or you can try and grab some last-minute tickets to Blur, Azealia Banks, Earl Sweatshirt or Ms Mr, and experience just a little slice of the festival. It’s exactly like Splendour, but with less mud and rain.

The Archibald Prize

What better way to fill your weekend in Sydney than getting a little bit of culture. The iconic Archibald Prize is a yearly art award given out to the best portrait paiting the country has to offer. First awarded in 1921, the competition has grown into an art institution. All the finalists are currently on display at the NSW Art Gallery. It’s a hell of a way to spend a day, plus it has a portrait of Daniel Johns – take that, Splendour!

Andre Rieu’s 2015 Maastricht Concert

Let’s admit it. Maybe there is a reason you’re not at Splendour In The Grass. It could be the distance and ticket prices, but maybe it’s the festival vibe, the music, and all of those damn young people. Maybe it’s just time to say, “Hey, this young person stuff isn’t for me anymore. I’m going to sit down and watch an Andre Rieu concert.”

Andre Rieu is a Dutch violinist and conducter, a world famous touring act, and probably your nan’s favourite musician. He has been entertainingoctogenarians and Liberal voters for years, and maybe it’s time for you to experience the magic. Event Cinemas are screening his 2015 concert from Maastricht so you can see The King Of Waltz without forking out the big bucks. You could even take your mum and score some massive brownie points.

Splendour In The Grass 2015 is currently taking place without us from Friday July 24 – Sunday July 26. But there’s always next year.

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