Falls Festival has become an annual pilgrimage for around 16,000 partygoers looking to give their New Years celebrations an extra significance, and for the 20th Anniversary everyone was well prepared.
Long car queues getting into the campsite didn’t dampen the spirits with vehicles packed to the brim as some unlucky ones were asked to unpack to search for prohibited items.
For those punters entitled to the four-day ticket, it gives them a chance to settle into their elaborate campsites, get out their low cut singlet to show off various sleeve tattoos, drink one’s self silly, or get into their obligatory animal onesie.
Falls is one of those festivals where for a lot of people the music is secondary and simply having the opportunity to camp and party with your friends takes precedent, representing a younger demographic where muscular tanned bodies and beach blonde hair dominate the campsite.
Kicking off the festivities this year was the Boogie Nights party that took place in the Grand Theatre.
The first notable act of the night was Muscles with a solo piano only set. After about five minutes in it was hard to see the point in not bringing the full Muscles show. The crowd clearly wanted something more to kick off their festival but the piano simply didn’t create enough energy or interest.
Party hosts The Cuban Brothers provided some excitement with some entertaining synchronised dancing, however, they still struggled with the early turn out. Playing James Brown’s ‘Get Up Off That Thing’ was the only real highlight.
Melbourne soul experts The Bamboos was the first act that brought the festive vibe desired to kick off the next three days of partying. The Grand Theatre was filling up, with many drinks in hand, and various groups getting their collective dance on.
Recent hit ‘I Got Burned’ picked up the energy of the enthralled audience with previous hits ‘Ain’t No Good’ and a Kings of Leon cover, ‘King Of The Rodeo’, finally turning the impending New Years festivities into something worth celebrating.
The Saturday presented the first full day of music at Falls and also the arrival of the rest of the punters. For those partying the night before it was a slow start as the sun began beaming through and overheating their respective tents.
A light crowd on the hill looking toward the main Valley Stage saw the proper kick off with the Welcome To Country proceedings by the indigenous owners of the land welcoming music lovers with traditional dance and song under the morning sun.
With a short queue for drink tickets being taken full advantage of, and many people tucking into breakfast, Melbourne rockabilly specialists The Rechords eased everyone into a day full of huge local and international artists.
Part of the test of Falls is really being able to pace yourself and see everything that you want to see. Often the weather can play the biggest role, with stinking heat generally dominating, however the mild temperatures and sunny skies were perfect to enjoy the surroundings on and off the Valley Stage.
Brisbane brooding rockers The Trouble With Templeton played to a thin early crowd and perhaps their emotive pop wasn’t well suited to the time slot but represented themselves well with a tight set.
Despite the majority of the day’s music taking place on the main Valley Stage, the Falls Art Village invited those looking for something more left of field. Although also being scheduled to play the main stage the next day, eclectic Chicago solo artist Willis Earl Beal treated a small but dedicated few in the village’s circus-like surroundings.
Backed only by a vintage 8-track tape machine with pre-recorded material, Beal swayed and jolted across the stage with his incredibly powerful voice carrying far into the campsite.
Back on the main stage, local blues rockers King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard provided the first real chance for the newly arrived Saturday festival-goers, commonly adorned in NBA jerseys and flat caps, to get into the festival. It seemed as if this signified the real kick off of Falls as the first mosh pit went raucous to ‘Bloody Ripper’ and ‘Muckraker’.
Before leading into a more subdued folkie afternoon, Fremantle’s San Cisco took the title of bringing together the first packed crowd on the hill looking onto the main stage. Their boppy, light pop sound worked well with the Saturday afternoon punters looking to ramp things up towards the evening.
The indie pop darlings’ hit ‘Awkward’ clearly received the biggest response, the mindless ‘da da da’ being simple enough for the masses to follow.
Unfortunately somewhat of a mass exodus took place before the apparent indie rock royalty of American singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten. Her dark indie rock is perhaps not appreciated by the typically younger Falls demographic.
Leading up towards a more upbeat evening, local Melbourne acts Husky and Lisa Mitchell entertained with their dark folk and light pop respectively.
The biggest surprise of the night was easily Bombay Bicycle Club. The London quartet began a huge night of international music and the quartet also presented those acts with the tough job of following on.
Despite some early drizzle, the already well-juiced masses responded with screams and shouts of approval, with many girls and boys on shoulders. A particular highlight was the popular ‘Shuffle’, from 2011’s A Different Kind Of Fix, whilst the more recent ‘How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep’ also saw the throngs erupt.
Rodrigo y Gabriela are almost a specialist festival duo, bringing bundles of energy with their elaborate Mexican acoustic guitar playing. Most people are left gob smacked at the speed and subtlety of their ability, while maintaining a four to the floor dance rhythm.
The highly anticipated Django Django wandered onto the Valley Stage to rapturous applause wearing matching Hawaiian shirts. The British surf pop band were absolutely incredible and a completely packed crowd ate up everything the band had to offer.
Along with awesome renditions of ‘Hail Bop’ and ‘Life’s A Beach’ the accompanying light show brought the energy up to another level matched by both band and audience. Any concerns about their complex arrangements not translating to the live stage were well and truly put to bed.
Of course the crowd was going to be huge for Swedish legends The Hives. With their third visit to Falls Festival, they are – and forever will be – one of the best live bands.
Despite releasing a disappointing album earlier in the year in Lex Hives, they could do no wrong in the eyes of a fully packed Falls Festival.
In response to the chilly night, frontman Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist announced, “Falls Festival we will heat you up tonight,” in his typically self-assured fashion. Old favourites, ‘Die Alright’ and ‘Main Offender’ saw bodies jumping and flailing up the front. Voices went hoarse for ‘Idiot Walk’ and the highlight was reserved for ‘Tick Tick Boom’ as they froze in time before the break down; Almqvist asking the crowd to perform the rather difficult task of sitting down.
One particular gentleman faced the full force of the crowd who refused to sit down as empty, half-full, and full cans of beer were thrown in his direction before Almqvist said, “Ok that’s enough help.” Needless to say the band erupted back into Tick Tick Boom for an awesome finale.
Whilst the majority of the crowd made their way back to their respective dishevelled campsites to get some rest for the next day ahead, some made the most of Miami Horror DJs who closed out the night with a mix of thumping electro and nocturnal beats.
Check out the review of 30th of Falls Festival here and the 31st here.
View all the snaps from Falls Festival 2012 in our photo gallery:
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3
