Farewelling 2016 at the Falls Festival

New Years Eve is a significant date on the calendar, marking the end of the year and the start of a new beginning, plus the pressure to have the best night ever. What better way to farewell 2016 and party straight into 2017 than with top Australian and international musicians performing for over 15,000 eager fans in the Tasmanian countryside at the 24th Falls Festival? We thought it sounded like an awesome way to bid the year au revoir and headed along to the annual music and arts festival. Celebrating 14 years in Marion Bay, the only all-ages location of the multi-state event offers free camping and a spectacular backdrop just an hour drive out of Hobart.

DAY ONE - THURSDAY 29 DECEMBER

Mallrat, Spit Syndicate and Northeast Party House kicked off the first day which saw a record number of attendees arrive to setup camp in soggy conditions. The mood was far from dampened when the acts moved to the main stage to accommodate a larger than anticipated opening night crowd, the misty evening set the perfect scene for Client Liaison to turn up the treble and transport the valley back to the 80s. Like a jolt of electricity the band energized the committed crowd with their choreographed camp dance moves and love for all things Australian which included throwing cans of Fosters beer to people up the front. The bassy 'Off White Limousine' was a favourite amongst covers of Armand Van Helden's 'You Don’t Know Me' and Savage Garden's 'I Want You'. Embracing the 'All Gold Everything' theme lead singer Monte Morgan stripped down to just gold pants despite the temperature admitting he felt like a Baileys before ending on an uplifting performance of 'The World of Our Love'.

Patient punters withstood a sudden downpour of sideways rain waiting for Grandmaster Flash who schooled the crowd on the origin of hip hop and the importance of the crayon in a five minute video before beginning his DJ set. Dropping a diverse mix of dance inducing hits including Aussie favourite Flume's 'You and Me' Flash spoke about his collaboration with Australian director Baz Luhrmann for Netflix's 'The Get Down' before asking, "can I play a few minutes of break for you, Tas? Let's go back!" Homage and respect was also paid to late music legends David Bowie with 'Let's Dance', and George Michael with a mix of 'Careless Whisper', 'Father Figure’ and 'Faith'. The Grandmaster lamented how he misses vinyl during his set which was interrupted momentarily a couple of times due to his computer “acting up” and needing restarting. His old school mix continued with anthems from The Jackson 5, Aretha Franklin, KC and the Sunshine Band, The Bee Gees, and Cypress Hill plus a quick spin of 'The Message'. Those wanting to kick on stuck around for a set from Hot Dub Time Machine continuing the flashback theme of the opening evening.

DAY TWO - FRIDAY 30 DECEMBER

From coffee, comedy, charging stations and craft beer the festival catered for almost all creature comforts with the addition of big performances from Vallis Alps, Illy, The Rubens, Pond, Jamie T, Catfish and the Bottlemen, The Avalanches, Golden Features, Ta-Ku and Booka Shade just to name a few from the day two lineup.

The sun was beating down for festival favourite Tkay Maidza’s afternoon performance who was happy to return, "it's so good to be back this is the first New Years festival I ever played!" The mud did not stop the moshers at the Field Stage as the rapper danced and delighted with 'U-Huh', 'M.O.B.', 'Tennies', 'Monochrome', and 'Down Like This'. Despite her breakout year Tkay declared to the crowd 2016 was "shit" and she was ready for 2017 before launching into 'Castle In The Sky', 'Ghost', 'Switch Lanes', and wrapping with 'Simulation'.

Over at the Valley Stage New Zealand duo Broods were warmly welcomed on their first visit to Tasmania delivering a gorgeous performance including hits 'Mother & Father', 'Free', 'Bridges', and 'Couldn't Believe'.

The evening sky was clear and still, beautifully lit up stars but the one that shone the brightest was Childish Gambino AKA Donald Glover. The multitalented performer impressed with his vocal range switching from heavy rap to an unfaltering falsetto as he churned through hits including ‘Telegraph Ave’, 'The Palisades’, ‘Redbone’, and ‘California’. The crowd sung along to ‘Sober’ before he busted out ‘Crawl’ and ‘One Up’. The awestruck audience wanted more so he asked permission to play some music he likes introducing Malik Flint AKA Black Party to the stage for his world debut performance of ‘Bloom’. The headliner then returned to centre stage for a rad rendition of ‘Retro’ and finishing up with ‘3005’. The dancing then continued with a set from Aussie DJ LDRU.

DAY THREE - SATURDAY 31 DECEMBER

The sun continued to shine on Saturday as the mud dried out and big names including Remi, Ball Park Music, The Jezabels, You Am I, Kingswood, and Modern Baseball kicked off the final day of the festival and the year. Preparing for the big evening ahead many relaxed at the Valley Stage soaking up the glorious sunshine listening to Bernard Fanning’s slow rock sounds and country twang.

At the Field Stage AlunaGeorge’s set had the energy up a notch. The London duo powered through bangers ‘Hold Your Head High’, ‘Automatic’, ‘Mean What I Mean’, ‘Not Above Love’ and ‘I Remember’. Vocalist Aluna Francis’ sassy song intros scored cheers from the audience who were keen to hear ‘I’m In Control’, ‘White Noise’, and ‘You Know You Like It’. Over at the Valley Stage Matt Corby’s thoughtful set included a cover of Tina Arena’s ‘Chains’ and incited a somber sing-along to ‘Resolution’.

Chill Sydney rockers DMA’S brought their Britpop sounds to the Field Stage to the delight of dedicated fans ready to rock in the mosh. You could be forgiven for mistaking the casually dressed band for tradies if it weren’t for their shiny new kicks and stellar sound. The no frills set allowed vocalist Tommy O’Dell’s voice to shine as the three mates belted out hit after hit including ‘Play It Out’, ‘Feels Like 37’, ‘Too Soon’, ‘Melbourne’ and their latest single ‘Step Up The Morphine’. With fans begging for more they played ‘Laced’ ending their quick, quality set with ‘Delete’ and ‘Lay Down’.

British band London Grammar, accompanied by strings, performed an enchanting, ethereal set introducing new songs from their upcoming album ‘Rooting For You’ amongst hits ‘Flickers’, ‘Wasting My Young Years’, Sights’, and the sing-along inducing ‘Hey Now’ and ‘Strong’. The haunting lyrics rang through the crowd and echoing in the gum trees providing a poignant moment for reflection as the final hours of 2016 ticked away. Meanwhile over at the Field Stage Angus Stone’s new project Dope Lemon offered cool alternative vibes for those wanting to relax and escape.

And for the big finale Brisbane rockers Violent Soho took over the Valley Stage for a frantic, angsty farewell to the year. Storming through ‘So Sentimental’, ‘No Shade’, ‘Blanket’, ‘Viceroy’ the band threw rolls of toilet paper from the stage into the crowd to signify the shitty year that was. After ripping performances of ‘Saramona Said’, ‘Fur Eyes’, ‘Dope Calypso’ they stopped to admit they were so eager to get to 2017 they had rushed the set so added in ‘Jesus Stole My Girlfriend’. After ‘Love Is A Heavy Word’ the Brissy boys did shoeys from shoes thrown onto the stage by the crowd at the band’s request. As the valley counted down to midnight DMA’S stormed the stage with champagne and kisses to celebrate the new year and beginning it with powerful performance of ‘Covered In Chrome’. Really keen revelers partied on with Aussie DJ darling Alison Wonderland followed by Moonbase Commander wrapping up the festivities in the early hours of the morning. What a way to start the year!

Hot tips to ensure the best Falls Festival experience: be a layer player and dress for all seasons (plus make sure you pack sunscreen, rain ponchos and gumboots) and most importantly carefully time your entry and exit to avoid getting stuck in the notorious traffic delays.

Social:
Facebook: facebook.com/fallsfestival
Twitter: @fallsofficial
Instagram: @fallsfestival

Photography: Elise Vout

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