2016 was filled with hype, controversy, tragedy, many hits and a few misses. Thankfully, mine ended with a high for my first Falls Music Festival experience, and Lorne did not disappoint. The line-up boasted the very best artists, the weather was wet, windy and scorching hot, and it was a true celebration of making it through one helluva year.
Unfortunately for many, it will be remembered for the Grand Theatre stampede incident, which left festival goers injured moments after DMA’s delivered their banging set. The team at Forte send our love to those affected, and I feel very fortunate that my own festival experience was only filled with amazing music, good vibes and random memories – and sunburnt knees.
For me, there were many highlights. Illy bossed the sweaty Thursday afternoon crowds delivering loved tracks ‘If Looks Could Kill’, ‘It Can Wait’ and ‘Paper Cuts’ in the brunt of the heat. The Aussie rapper didn’t miss a beat, while sibling duo Broods worked the Valley Stage with the killer opening ‘Conscious’, later winning crowds over with the feel good track ‘Heartlines’, which saw an abundance of people swaying their plastic beer-filled cups.
Childish Gambino was rumoured the top act to see (along with Violent Soho) – and rightly so. Hitting 12am and edging us a day closer to the New Year celebrations, Gambino nailed his set while sliding rhythmically across the stage.
The unshaded Valley Stage mosh pit was my location for majority of the third day where it was filled with triple j favourites like Ball Park Music, The Jezabels, and the serenading crescendos of Matt Corby – worth the sweaty mess we were at the end of it.
My personal favourite act, while somewhat tragic with the chaos ensuing in the Grand Theatre at the time, was London Grammar’s set – an absolute mesmerising stand-out, with the worldwide hit ‘Strong’ electrifying the crowds around me.
The New Year’s Eve line-up was exhaustingly good with The Rubens, City Calm Down, Tkay Maidza, and The Avalanches who brought in the New Year, while I Oh You DJs kept the vibes at large until the early hours.
Falls Festival exceeded my expectations. The new songs, new friends, the blessing of a taco truck, my favourite beer (Wild Yak) on tap, and even the camping wasn’t too bad. Despite the unfortunate scheduling of back to back favourites which left undesirable memories for one of Australia’s best events, it was otherwise an incredible finish to the year. Happy New Year guys!
Where: Lorne
When: December 28 – January 1
Reviewed by Talia Rinaldo
