Falls Festival 2013, by John Goodridge.
It's that time of year again, friends. Convoys are being planned, alcohol tolerances are being tested on Christmas Day in preparation and road trip playlists are being pulled together. The Falls Festival is kicking off this weekend, the ultimate New Year's get away for many Australian music fans keen for an escape with mates (plus a good few new ones by the end of it all) and some brilliant live music to round out their year. This year's line up hasn't been without its disappointments, with Robyn and Röyksopp and more recently, Julian Casablancas + The Voidz, having to drop out, but as usual, the crew behind one of the most popular festivals on our calendar have stepped up to the challenge, adding some great new bands and ensuring that the attendees will have all their party needs taken care of, right through into the early hours of New Year's Day.
So, while the set times and schedules have been out for a little while now, chances are a lot of you will be heading along to the festival sites either in Lorne, Marion Bay or new kid addition, Byron Bay, with a few choice bands in mind - Falls is, after all, as much about everything else on offer onsite as well. Whether it's partaking in the Boogie Nights chaos on the opening night or spending time throughout the weekend maxing out and making art in the Village, you're going to be in your own little Falls bubble; throw your expectations away with your inhibitions and your tacky Native American headdresses. Seriously though, don't be that dickhead.
We've taken a look at the line up set to play and have highlighted just some of the international and Australian bands and artists who are sure to bring it this year, from festival veterans to international favourites, there's definitely something there for everyone.
The Man of Your Dreams: Ásgeir (Iceland)
Ásgeir produced Iceland's biggest selling debut album in In The Silence, and its reception in Australia has been phenomenal as well. Performing debut shows out this way earlier in the year gave crowds in select cities a small taste of what the rest of the world has been raving about through 2014, and we're so excited to see the 22 year old singer songwriter take to the larger Falls stages, as well as some headline dates of his own.
Lorne Set: Valley Stage @ 3pm, December 30th
Marion Bay Set: Valley Stage @ 1:30pm, December 31st
Byron Bay Set: Forest Stage @ 4:30pm, January 1st
The Ultimate Farewell Party: Bluejuice (Sydney)
Fans around the country have partied with Bluejuice on their 'Retrospectable Tour' only a few months ago, with some huge headline dates around the country bringing their 13 year career as one of the country's best live bands to an end. And while their recent cover of Boyz II Men's"End of the Road" for triple j didn't make you feel emotional enough over the end of their time together, we can guarantee that the Sydney act's final shows at the Falls Festival are bound to do it. Go crazy with them one last time.
Lorne Set: Valley Stage @ 9pm, December 31st
Marion Bay Set: Field Stage @ 7:30pm, December 30th
Byron Bay Set: Forest Stage @ 7:15pm, January 2nd
Ride That Awesome Wave: Alt-J (Leeds)
The Australian profile Alt-J have built for themselves is now at such an impressive level that months ago, the Brits announced a large national tour for next year just off the back of a small number of quick promo shows in Sydney and Melbourne. Their recent album This is All Yours has been earning acclaim from all areas, while their An Awesome Wave debut remains a strong favourite with fans down here, with three entries in the 2012 Hottest 100 only being testament to the fact.
Lorne Set: Valley Stage @ 10:30pm, December 31st
Marion Bay Set: Valley Stage @ 10:45pm, December 30th
Byron Bay Set: Valley Stage @ 11:00pm, January 2nd
The 'Wonderwall' Moment: DMAs (Sydney)
The trio outta Sydney have really broken out of the gates this year as an act to watch and their Brit-pop influences haven't gone unnoticed by music fans, blogs and radio in the motherland of the genre either. "Delete" has become an anthem of sorts, both at headline club shows and the larger stages they've played and no doubt their Falls sets are going to be providing perfect settings for this effect to be in full flight.
Lorne Set: Valley Stage @ 1:45pm, December 30th
Marion Bay Set: Field Stage @ 2:30pm, December 31st
Bryon Bay Set: Forest Stage @ 2pm, January 2nd
Let Them Show You Everything They Know: Glass Animals (Oxford)
Like Alt-J before them, Glass Animals have carved for themselves an Australian presence in a short amount of time that is nothing short of impressive. Zaba's release brought them to the attention of wider Australian fans after generating mass popularity on triple j and with a fast growing live presence continuing to strengthen overseas, the four piece are only going from strength to strength.
Lorne Set: Grand Theatre @ 5pm, December 31st
Marion Bay Set: Field Stage @ 3:30pm, December 30th
Byron Bay Set: Forest Stage @ 3:15pm, January 2nd
The Big Bounce Off: Big Freedia (New Orleans)
"I am more than just Big Freedia. I am more than just big diva. I am more than just Freddie Ross, I am me. I AM the ambassador, representin' for New Orleans and for bounce music. So many things in my head, sometimes it just make me wanna explode."
That's basically all you need to know. Watch the video, do some Googling of bounce music and prepare to dance your ass off.
Lorne Set: Valley Stage @ 12:30am, December 29th
Marion Bay Set: Valley Stage @ 2am, December 31st
Byron Bay Set: Forest Stage @ 10:30pm, January 1st
The New Kid on the Block: Japanese Wallpaper (Melbourne)
The triple j unearthed high winner may only be 17 years old, but he's fast making a name for himself on the local scene. The dream-pop maker has been playing around with various sounds for some time now, a talented multi-instrumentalist and creative in general. He may only be playing Lorne's Falls Festival, but we'd be keeping an eye out for him heading into 2015 for sure.
Lorne Set: Valley Stage @ 12pm, December 29th
The Killer Hip-Hop Purveyors: Run The Jewels (NYC/Atlanta)
The partnership of New York City's El-P and Atlanta's Killer Mike has been one to be reckoned with over the past few years. The duo tore it up on the Laneway tour in 2013 and have become a hip-hop juggernaut since the release of Run the Jewels in the same year and now the successful follow up, Run the Jewels 2. The duo were only in the country earlier in the year and we can't wait to see what they've got for us next.
Lorne Set: Valley Stage @ 5pm, December 30th
Marion Bay Set: Field Stage @ 9:45pm, December 31st
Byron Bay Set: Forest Stage @ 9:15pm, January 1st
Let Her Finish 'Em: Tkay Maidza (Adelaide)
Adelaide MC Tkay Maidza has truly had one hell of a year. Touring relentlessly both in Australia and overseas for the first time has fashioned this lady into a dynamic performer and deliverer of rhymes. At ease on a large stage now, Tkay has a vibe that is all her own, despite references to MIA, Nicki Minaj and Azalea Banks. Oozing confidence and positivity when she's onstage, Tkay's proven to be anything but a hip-hop cliche, a talent who although has produced some great music, still has so much more potential to be tapped into. Watch out 2015.
Lorne Set: Valley Stage @ 12:45pm, December 30th
Marion Bay Set: Field Stage @ 12:30pm, December 31st
Byron Bay Set: Valley Stage @ 12:15pm, January 1st
The Sweetest Disposition: The Temper Trap (Melbourne)
Returning home for their first shows in Australia for some time, The Temper Trap are sure to be drawing the crowds out this Falls Festival. We saw them perform to a huge crowd at Lollapalooza in the US back in August and if the new material they trialled at that festival is anything to go by, the next lot of Temper Trap songs is sure to follow the suit of their smash debut Conditions and solid sophomore self-titled effort. A festival favourite, The Temper Trap know how to get a crowd incensed and having them home for New Year's is exciting just on this fact alone.
Lorne Set: Valley Stage @ 10pm, December 29th
Marion Bay Set: Valley Stage @ 9:15pm, December 30th
Byron Bay Set: Valley Stage @ 6:45pm, December January 1st
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The Falls Music and Arts Festival will be held at the following sites on the following dates - head to www.fallsfestival.com.au for further information.
LORNE - December 28th to January 1st
MARION BAY - December 29th to January 1st
BYRON BAY - December 30th to January 2nd
