Splendour in the Grass co-founder Jessica Ducrou exits Secret Sounds

June 21, 2024

Entertainment / Events /

Jessica Ducrou, co-founder of the Splendour in the Grass music festival and co-Chief Executive of the Secret Sounds entertainment brand, has announced her departure from the company she helped create eight years ago.

Secret Sounds Group, a division of Live Nation, is also behind the long-running the Falls Festival, new Adelaide festival Harvest Rock, as well as Secret Sounds Touring, Village Sounds booking agency, Brisbane venue The Triffid and the Secret Sounds Connect commercial rights and creative agency.

However, changing preferences among youth and music audiences saw this year’s Splendour In The Grass cancelled just six days after tickets went on sale while the Falls Festival is on hiatus to "rest, recover and recalibrate".

In a statement announcing her departure, Ducrou advised "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."

Ducrou also acknowledged her long-term business partner, Paul Piticco, with whom she launched Splendour In The Grass in 2001.

The pair merged their companies to co-found Secret Sounds in 2016, although Ducrou and Piticco's partnership dates back to the late 90s, when Ducrou became the booking agent for the Piticco managed Powderfinger.

Ducrou noted "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.”

She went on to say "I wish all at Secret Sounds and Live Nation the very best success in their future endeavours.”

Ducrou will continue her roles as Chair of music body SoundNSW and Deputy Chair of the Australian Festivals Association.

Earlier this year, a new report into the music festival sector by Creative Australia found more than one-third of Australian music festivals are losing money as they face skyrocketing operational costs and dwindling younger audiences.

Image: Jessica Ducrou. Credit: Secret Sounds/Splendour In The Grass.

3rd June 2024 - Live music fans move from festivals towards stadium and arena acts

1st June 2024 - Live Nation confirms Ticketmaster customer information data breach

10th April 2024 - Creative Australia report outlines role of music festival sector and the challenges it faces

27th March 2024 - Splendour in the Grass festival cancelled for 2024

1st March 2024 - Secret Sounds Connect study unveils cultural zeitgeist of Gen Z in 2024

23rd February 2024 - Live Nation reports 2023 as ‘biggest year ever’ for concert attendance and ticket sales

15th November 2023 - Adelaide’s Harvest Rock festival demonstrates economic value of major events

5th October 2023 - Secret Sounds announce their inaugural SXSW Sydney Showcase

21st July 2023 - Ticket sales down for Splendour in the Grass

17th May 2023 - Falls Festival producer Secret Sounds cancels 2023 event

22nd December 2022 - Splendour in the Grass Festival organisers forced to pay $100,000 over traffic chaos

16th September 2022 - Falls Festival 2022 moves to Melbourne following community objection to original planned site

3rd August 2022 - South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas overrules Adelaide City Council to allow Harvest Rock music festival to proceed

27th July 2022 - Splendour in the Grass flooding disruption was foreseeable

20th July 2022 - Secret Sounds helps sponsors engage with fans at Splendour in the Grass

13th July 2022 - Licensing rule change sees under 18s banned from Splendour In The Grass festival

4th November 2021 - Falls Festival announces locations for 2022/23 events

17th September 2020 - Falls Festival crowd crush victims to share in almost $7 million payout

12th June 2020 - Splendour in the Grass cancellation to hit Byron Bay economy

5th December 2016 - Live Nation expands festival portfolio with Secret Sounds acquisition

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