Two worlds collide

Ben Harper performs at Splendour in Grass 2010 at Woodford.

Jay Cronan

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Splendour in the Grass 2010

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WHEN Ben Harper invited INXS drummer Jon Farriss to perform with him on stage, you knew music magic was about to be created.

And it was with their joint performance at the end of Day One of Splendour in the Grass.

Harper didn’t let his band Relentless7 pulling out of the festival, or a joint timeslot with glam rockers Scissor Sisters, upset his performance.

The blues legend, accompanied by an impressive four-piece string section, warmed-up the crowd with old hits Power of the Gospel and Please Bleed before encouraging the crowd to sing along to songs including Diamonds on the Inside, Another Lonely Day and Amen Omen.

To everyone’s surprise, Harper then welcomed Farriss on stage for his final song, an extended and spine tingling rendition of Never Tear Us Apart. It was the highlight of Day One.

One other performance came close to its brilliance and that was Mumford & Sons joining The Temper Trap on stage to perform Down River.

As the night begins for Day Two of the festival, Splendour’s 32,000-strong crowd is tonight gearing up for performances by Florence & The Machine, Wolfmother and The Strokes.

Performances by Passion Pit, Goldfrapp, Empire of the Sun, Mumford & Sons and the Pixies are expected to be Sunday’s highlights. Some 20,000 campers are expected to leave Woodford on Monday morning.

Thus far, event organisers are hailing this year’s Splendour in the Grass and its relocation to Woodford from Byron Bay a roaring success.

“Day two and the sun is still shining and everyone is having a great time at Woodford,” an event spokesperson said.

“We’re just so pleased with everyone in the Woodford area for helping us create such a peaceful and perfect festival.”

The only injuries reported, she said, were gumboot-related.

“So far we’ve heard of three suspected broken ankles, but other than that they’re all Band Aid cases.

“The ground is unlevel and people need to take caution.”

Queensland police, who are patrolling the event, are praising the crowds’ behaviour.

“Last night at the festival was a quiet one with only a few minor liquor licensing offences," a police spokesperson said.

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