As another year rolled to a close, excited festival goers packed their cars to the max with tents and glitter and headed down the dirt road to Falls Festival 2018, for another round of celebration and good music.
Day 1
The festival began with a bang at the Forest Stage with Kota Banks. Despite being a festival newbie, Kota gave us all the energy, sass and charisma of a natural girl, power-pop performer.“I make music to dance to,” couldn’t be closer to the truth as everyone couldn’t help but boogie along to her infectious songs including Swick's 'Decisions', plus 'Holiday' and 'I’m It'.
Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers was a definite highlight of the day as he delivered a formidable show. The whole time my mind could only think to describe his set as 'emotionally aggressive poetry'.
After his own, small intro, he introduced his just-as-kooky band to the sound of 'Are You Ready For This?' (aka the Space Jam song by 2 Unlimited) – the crowd went wild. Together, they were mesmerising and witnessing 'Peach Scones' and 'Romeo and Juliet' live was an experience.
Hockey Dad - image © Barnaby Downes
Next, we headed to the Valley Stage to watch Australia’s favourite two-man band from Windang. You guessed it, Hockey Dad.
Beginning the set with some on-stage cricket and reminding us all: “Make sure you put your sunscreen on”, the boys provided us with the goods, banging out hit after hit including 'I Need A Woman', 'I Wanna Be Everybody' and of course, 'Join The Club'. They left us sweaty and wanting more.
Dashing back over to the Forest Stage, we walked in as DJ Denim began warming up the crowd for bestie, Mallrat. Spinning onto stage in an adorable, pink-layered tutu dress, you couldn’t help but smile and boogie along with Mallrat.
Halfway through, she was joined by “some very special guests” that included four, school girl-style drag queens. Together, they synchronise danced their way through 'Bunny Island' then went straight into the songs that began her young career 'For Real' and 'Sunglasses'.
Mallrat - image © Barnaby Downes
It was a very cheery set that left you feeling super “kawaii”.
As the golden hour began, Ocean Alley lulled us with their cruisey sounds. With the perfect fusion of rock and reggae, the entire crowd swayed to the sounds of their newest album, including 'The Comedown', 'Knees' and 'Confidence'.
We also got a lovely surprise as the band played their Like A Version cover of 'Baby Come Back' by Player. Lead singer, Baden Donegal’s soothing voice transported you to a tropical island.
Ocean Alley - image © Barnaby Downes
Prepared to lose it to my favourite teenage song 'Bonkers', I was extremely disappointed upon hearing that Dizzee Rascal had cancelled his set and became concerned the hype-up for New Year's celebrations would be dampened. But boy, was I wrong.
Anderson .Paak & the Free Nationals created a party and a half, with back-up dancers and eccentric light shows. Although, due to the unstoppable performance, midnight was missed. But together with Anderson. Paak and a bottle of champagne in hand, six minutes after midnight we did our own countdown, ending the year with a boom as white confetti rained down.
Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals - image © Barnaby Downes
Before the confetti had even hit the floor, he dove straight into multiple tracks off his newest album 'Oxnard', and whether you knew the words or not, you danced along happily anyway.
Day 2
First up, we watched the opening act of the day, Tia Gostelow, escaping the heat as she performed songs from her new album including 'Outer Space' and 'Strangers'.With guitar in hand and clearly happy with the crowd turnout, she announced this had been her biggest audience.
Tia Gostelow - image © Barnaby Downes
Reminding me of a young Justin Timberlake (minus the noodle hair), 16-year-old singer-songwriter Ruel sang at his first Aussie festival with a set full of songs from his debut EP, 'Ready'.
The talent exhibited by this young performer was insane; from his large vocal range to his ability to control an audience to sing along with “ooo’s” and “woah’s” to 'Don’t Tell Me'. We were even graced with a few covers including Billie Eilish’s 'Bellyache'. I am excited to see what this kid can come up with next.
Ruel - image © Barnaby Downes
Originally I was only going to stay for a portion of Briggs, but after only a few minutes of watching one half of the award winning duo A.B. Original, I ended up staying and head bopping the whole time.
As rhythmic as he is comedic, and with a projection saying #BriggsForPM written across the back of the stage, you couldn't help but enjoy watching this rapper do his thing. He even included a comedic skit, allowing the audience to take photos of him and his DJ in multiple poses: “To post on Insta and tag me in because my Mum doesn’t think I do anything.”
Briggs - image © Barnaby Downes
Having seen Tkay Maidza multiple times previously, I was prepared to dance my heart out. Despite the heat, she created a giant party by performing hit after hit; each song was greeted with enthusiastic cheers.
'Carry On' and 'Simulation' were big crowd favourites, but by far the best performance of the set was 'Flexin''.
Tkay Maidza - image © Barnaby Downes
As I puffed my way over the hill to Valley Stage to watch the last half of King Gizzard and Lizard Wizard, I witnessed a scene of chaos.
Multiple death circles had begun with arms swinging, heads banging and dust storms forming. Many walked away with battle wounds and massive smiles as they enjoyed the psychedelic rock band's show.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - image © Barnaby Downes
The wonderful madness ended when we were given a friendly reminder from lead singer Stu Mackenzie: “Don’t eat the orange pingers!”
Hilltop Hoods had people running to get a good spot for their performance. The boys gave us a show to remember as we all rapped and sang along to the favourites.
Throughout the show there was an ongoing joke when Suffa announced he had 'Slice Of Heaven' by Dave Dobbyn stuck in his head, and to his surprise the audience sang the opening of the song on queue.
Towards the end of the set they announced: “I wanna play a game. Everyone take off an item of clothing,” and shirts and shoes came flying off to be swung around for 'Leave Me Lonely'. They sure know how to entertain.
Hilltop Hoods - image © Barnaby Downes
At Falls 2016, I had watched Catfish and the Bottlemen perform a very short set after waiting an hour for them in the rain. It was one of my favourite performances I had ever seen.
Once again, the band put on a phenomenal show. Although lead singer Van McCann had clearly lost his voice and asked the audience to sing with him, that did not stop the Brit from tearing it up on the guitar and screaming along when he could.
It was an awesome way to end the first day of 2019 as we walked back to our camp reminiscing while singing 'Twice' and 'Soundcheck'.
Day 3
Rising for the final day, coffee-eager bodies rolled out of bed and donned their final festival outfit prepping for another day of funky tunes.We headed over to the Forest Stage to witness the powerhouse of energy and endless voice that is Bishop Briggs. And this girl can sing! Watching her sprint around the stage as she belted out song after song with ease was a marvel to watch.
She did a splendid cover of 'Never Tear Us Apart' by INXS that left me with literal chills despite the heat, while hearing her sing 'River' live was the thing I didn’t know I needed in life till then.
Bishop Briggs - image © Barnaby Downes
Hailing from New York, LPX won my heart and dancing shoes over the moment her set began. She was my favourite new artist I discovered at Falls and needs to be added to your playlists ASAP.
She was incredibly entertaining and her voice easily sang through 'Tremble', 'Slide' and her newest release, 'Might Not Make It Home'. But by far the crowd favourite was her performance of 'Better', a song she collaborated with What So Not.
Although the crowd was not as big as her talent deserved, her powerful and electric presence filled the room.
LPX - image © Barnaby Downes
Now an ARIA Award winner, Australia’s newest sweetheart, Amy Shark, performed a stellar set. The crowd filled quick as she launched straight into multiple tracks off her debut album 'Love Monster' including 'Blood Brother' and 'I Got You'. There were smiles and sing alongs happening all around.
Amy Shark - image © Barnaby Downes
The sun began to set, the crowd eagerly waited and together Toto walked on stage to thunderous applause. Age had definitely not dampened the talent and funk of this band.
As they played their most popular jams including 'Hold The Line' and 'Rosanna', it was amazing to watch these musicians, kings of their instruments. They even included a rock cover of 'Human Nature', by Michael Jackson that I later learned they were involved with the production.
But they knew why we were there. “Ready to hear that song you came for?” The opening of 'Africa' played and the crowd lost it. Performing an extended version of the song, the performance included an orange smoke flare going off in the mosh, phone recordings galore, an amazing drum solo by Lenny Castro, and finally a black bra flung onto the stage.
Toto - image © Barnaby Downes
Having previously seen the soothing performance that is Vance Joy, I was ready for an hour of sing alongs. With many friends in the crowd standing with arms around each other and glowsticks waving in the air, we all screamed along to 'Mess Is Mine', 'Saturday Sun' and 'Georgia'.
He even played a cover of 'All Night Long' by Lionel Richie with a little bit of 'Sorry' by Justin Bieber thrown in there; it had everybody jamming.
Vance Joy - image © Barnaby Downes
After hearing a few live recordings of this band's music, Glasgow’s indie-pop act Chvrches was a set I was super excited to witness. Sporting bold, colourful make-up and a carefree attitude, lead singer Lauren Mayberry sang with a clear and soaring voice through 'Get Out', 'Miracle' and 'Graffiti' while twirling and stomping around the stage.
With their fluid movements and dramatic performing, Chvrches set felt like a scene in a great, classic-rock opera except with more synth.
I had been very curious by the title of one of the smaller and final acts of the day, so sneaking over to the Forest Stage I watched the final 15 minutes of Heaps Gay DJs and Friends.
In skin-tight suits or wearing barely anything at all, multiple vivacious and fierce performers strutted and Vogue’d their way around the stage to the sounds of Britney Spears and Rihanna. The small crowd cheered constantly and danced along with enthusiasm.
Heaps Gay DJs - image © Barnaby Downes
Unfortunately, the party was going too long and before being ushered off stage, one of the performers ended my festival experience with an unexpected turn of events. Uttering the words “It’s ok to be a freak!” before whipping off his G-string and swinging everything around the stage, he walked off with the confidence of a person who knew he left us all gobsmacked.
This Falls Festival Byron was very much a metaphor for life and the upcoming year ahead, that it can be so unexpected and random.
Whether that includes an artist cancelling and a better one filling their shoes, discovering incredible talent you didn’t know about or maybe even ending the night with random stripping, it might be unexpected but it sure is fun.
