Your guide to this year's Spilt Milk festival

The tickets are printed, the outfits are bought and the set times are (finally) out. Spilt Milk is so close you can almost taste it – so it’s time to start working out those schedules. Ocean Alley or Lastlings? G Flip or Tones and I?

We can’t make your choices for you, but we can tell you what we’re looking forward to this year at Commonwealth Park.

Local talent

First up, the Triple J Unearthed winners for Spilt Milk Canberra: Weirdo Gvng. The eclectic, energetic trio are absolutely worth getting in early to see.

Local rapper Kirklandd will keep the beats going (no word on whether he’s growing the mo out for Movember). If you’re up for some fresh DJ sets, Brittany De Marco, Mtty and Clique have you sorted. If you’re after more guitars, try Sputnik Sweetheart. The local four-piece debuted just over a year ago and are already local legends.

And what would a festival be in Canberra without hometown heroes Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers? Barely out of high school, TJ have absolutely made their mark on Canberra, and look set to do the same nationally. Guaranteed to be a well-attended set.

Up and coming

Are you looking for a new favourite band, or just want to try something new? We’ve got you covered.

Sibling duo Lastlings aren’t exactly new, but took some time out while younger sibling Amy finished high school. They’re back and ready to make some noise—and you should listen. Drummer and all-round excellent muso G Flip has also been making waves, while Triple J Unearthed High 2017 winner Arno Faraji has well and truly graduated, and is ready to show you what he’s got.

Always a good time

There are artists that you will see live once, and then keep seeing live because they’re just so damn good at what they do. There are a lot of top-notch, seasoned Aussie acts on the lineup this year, no matter what kind of music you like, these folks will do the job: Dune Rats, Allday, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets and Middle Kids.

Finally, if you’re really ready to dance, hit up Tones & I, taking the world by storm with her unique sound and electric live performances.

International vibrations

Last year’s Spilt Milk saw the unfortunate last-minute scratching of Childish Gambino, which left the festival a little short of international star power. Golden Features (who is playing again this year) and Angus and Julia Stone did their best, but many fans were not happy with the lack of international names.

This year, the festival isn’t taking any chances, with the number one artist on Spotify in the world, Khalid, set to headline. If you’d like to catch him, perhaps get in early—I’m no astrologer, but I’m pretty confident predicting this is going to be a packed set. The international contingent also includes Scottish synth-pop group and perfect angels CHVRCHES, and Soundcloud-turned-everywhere rapper Juice WRLD, who is visiting Australia for the first time.

Verdict

So, the verdict? Look, I can’t make your choices for you, but I can tell you this. Wear sunscreen.

The sold-out Spilt Milk festival hits Commonwealth Park on Saturday, 23 November. More info at spilt-milk.com.au.