The curtains came down on the 7th annual Splendour in the Grass Festival last night, with British rockers The Arctic Monkeys winding up the 2 day event.

More than 17,500 people a day soaked up the atmosphere at Belongil Fields in Byron Bay for the most impressive Splendour to date, featuring acts from as far a field as the UK and US.

Hot Chip was the pick of the bunch for many, and Lily Allen more than earned her keep with a strong performance in her trademark ball gown and sneakers.

But it was the Aussies who stole the show, with Powderfinger, Cat Empire and Hilltop Hoods proving they could more than hold their own alongside the mighty international line-up. Local metal heads Grinspoon were also a huge hit, making a triumphant return to the limelight following Phil Jamieson’s well publicized breakdown this year.

So if you’re keen to get along to Splendour 2008, we’d suggest you start queuing now because the tickets are likely to be gone in the next five minutes or so.

In the meantime, we’ll be bringing you a full report on this year’s festival over the next few days.....we’re just waiting for our intrepid festival scribe to sober up enough for the drive home.