The dust has now settled on another successful year for the Falls Music & Arts Festival and our reviewer at the Lorne leg applauded the annual festival for its “always stellar lineup”, including the likes of Hot Chip, Beach House, The Flaming Lips, and Two Door Cinema Club, writing that it “continues to be one of Australia’s great events.”
Though it’s turned in for another year after landmark celebrations for its 20th and 10th birthdays at the Lorne and Marion Bay sites respectively, the latter was marred by the recent Tasmanian fires that have been raging across the state, which forced management to evacuate from the site last week following the end of the festival.
The Age reports that the bushfires prompted Primer Minister Julia Gillard to issue a grim climate warning following a visit to the devastated ruins 0f Dunalley. The fires have raged through the south-east, while the north-west areas continue to face emergency warnings from fast-running fires across the state.
The farm stie for the festival at Marion Bay luckily remains undamaged, assures a press release from Falls representatives, “however their neighbouring towns have not been so lucky.”
The evacuated site, that was cleared out last Thursday 3rd January from the devastating fires, has now been declared a safe zone, acting as a “temporary refuge for displaced locals, staff members and friends who have not been so fortunate; returning to lost houses, schools, businesses, livestock and precious personal belongings.”The Falls Festival have kick-started efforts to aid those affected by the disaster by donating $10,000 to the Red Cross, and is urging friends, family, and music lovers to do the same…
The Falls Festival have also kick-started efforts to aid those affected by the disaster by donating $10,000 to the Red Cross, and is urging friends, family, and music lovers to do the same by heading to https://give.everydayhero.com/au/falls-festival. Writing they “hope that you can assist and help to relieve some of the pressures faced by those affected.”
Organisers will continue to work with local councils to help support affected communities and promise they’ll be holding further fundraising efforts in the oncoming weeks with announcement through the festival’s official website.
Meanwhile, Tasmania’s Musuem of Old and New Art (MONA), who is currently in preparations to help kickstart MONA FOMA 2013, has revealed that they’re planning to put together a musical event to help raise proceeds towards the fire effort.
Taking to their Facebook page, MONA states “we will host a benefit concert for people affected by the Tassie fires. Possibly 21 Jan. More details in next few days. Stay cool. Thoughts are with all those affected.”
There are no further details at this time, but considering the huge list of impressive acts heading down to MONA FOMA 2013 – including headliners David Byrne & St. Vincent, Dirty Projectors, Death Grips, and Amanda Palme – perhaps they can call on some international talent to pitch in for the benefit concert following the festival’s closing night of January 20th.
You can donate to the Falls Festival’s fundraising efforts here: https://give.everydayhero.com/au/falls-festival
