Review by Billy Geary
Falls Festival, held in Lorne, Victoria is easily the premier New Years music festival in Australia. Combining what can only be described as a picturesque location with a consistently good selection of acts, it makes for one hell of a way to welcome in the New Year and is an undisputed heavyweight of the Australian festival calendar.
2011’s version was no different and, judging by the general consensus, was one of the best in recent times.
Thursday 29th – Day One
Rolling into camp a bit after lunchtime on Thursday, we headed straight for the music with Guineafowl just starting their set as we arrive at The Valley Stage. Their chilled indie pop sets the scene for an afternoon of excellent bands.
Perhaps one of the more interesting concepts to be seen at Falls this time around was the Easy Star All-Stars performing their album Dub Side of the Moon, a reggae cover album of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. As someone who hadn’t heard their music before, I was immediately won over with The Great Gig in the Sky proving to be the set highlight.
Having been relatively quiet on the touring front in Australia of late, plenty were excited to see Missy Higgins and her soulful pop. Treating a sizable crowd to a selection of new tracks (that sounded excellent) as well as her older, well known songs, Higgins played an excellent set. Scar in particular drew a huge response at The Valley Stage.
Upping the ante somewhat was the one-two punch of Beirut and CSS. American sextet Beirut mixed jazz and electronic influences, with Zach Condon and his trumpet leading the charge. CSS followed up with their typically high in energy set. Frontwoman Lovefoxx bounded around the stage with unparalleled enthusiasm, getting almost everyone in the crowd moving with their infectious electro sound.
Right of the bat you could tell the John Butler Trio’s set was going to be a whole bunch of fun. Five albums into his career, John Butler and crew have more than enough hit songs to fill their 70 minute set. There was sing-a-long after sing-a-long with JBT classics such as Zebra and Used to Get High drawing huge responses, however it was the instrumental epic Ocean that garnered the biggest cheer from the crowd. To this day, it is an absolute marvel that Butler manages to emit so much emotion from just his guitar when playing Ocean. It really is something everyone should experience.
Taking things up a notch were Regurgitator, who are most certainly one of this country’s best live acts, proceeded to both shock and incite madness in the crowd simultaneously. Playing their ever-fantastic album Unit in full, those in attendance were treated to a captivating set of tomfoolery, as well as some great music. Classics such as the always relevant I Will Lick Your Arsehole and Everyday Formula going down a treat. Stage antics aside, Regurgitator played a more than excellent set.
Finally, those who still had the energy stuck around for Scratch Perverts to dance the night away while others headed off to rest up for the two days ahead.
Review by Billy Geary