Splendour in the Grass co-founder steps down from Live Nation-owned Secret Sounds Group
Jessica Ducrou has left Secret Sounds, the company responsible for the Splendour In The Grass festival.
Ducrou founded Secret Sounds with co-CEO and Powderfinger manager Paul Piticco. The pair sold a controlling stake of the company to Live Nation in 2016.
Following the pandemic, Splendour In The Grass quickly turned from a booming festival that attracted more than 50,000 punters, to being unable to stage an event in 2024, due to “unexpected events”. Before the cancellation, the NSW Government had offered what arts minister John Graham dubbed a “significant” amount of funding to rescue the event, but this was turned down.
A Live Nation spokesperson said at the time: “The NSW government offered some support for Splendour in the Grass in 2024, but no funds were received because the event is not moving forward.
“All events in prior years that received some level of government funding proceeded in accordance with the approved terms.”
The three-day winter event has been held annually since 2001, and in the North Byron Parklands since 2013.
Aside from Splendour In The Grass, the company controls Harvest Rock, Falls Festival, Secret Sounds Touring, Village Sounds booking agency, Secret Sounds Connect commercial rights and creative agency, North Byron Parklands, The Triffid venue in Brisbane and more.
Ducruo said of her departure in a statement on Friday: “So many memorable moments over the last almost decade with Secret Sounds, what a wild ride it’s been. I’m well due for an overseas summer holiday so it’s a good time to take a break before I embark on my next chapter.
“It has been an epic journey that has been truly inspiring, and an opportunity to collaborate with the best in the business. It would not have been as rewarding, possible or enjoyable if it weren’t for the people I have worked alongside of. Paul Piticco has been a great business partner for more than 30 years and we will no doubt continue our friendship well into the future.
“The Secret Sounds team, notably Elise Huntley and the festivals gang, are the absolute best, I will miss working with the awesome individuals who inspired me every single day. I wish all at Secret Sounds and Live Nation the very best success in their future endeavours.”
Ducruo will continue her duties as Chair of Sounds NSW and festival advocate as Deputy Chair of the AFA.
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Nathan Jolly is the Features Editor at Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.
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