16,000 roll into Lorne for Falls
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Rachael O’Reilly, Baya Ou Yang and Erin Lyon, all 19, at the festival. Picture: Josie Hayden
Source: News Limited
THE Falls Festival – arguably the state’s biggest New Year’s event outside city limits – kicked into gear near Lorne on Sunday.
Technically, it opened 24 hours earlier. But with 16,000 punters clogging the seaside and inland roads to get there, the first day became a ritual of crawling in, setting up and, after strong overnight winds, trying to staying put.
Falls promoter Jessica Ducrou said: “The arrivals were smooth and fast, and we got them into position with lightning speed. It’s nice and comfortable in the campground. For us, it’s about making sure everyone who comes to the Falls has a good time.”
As the wind subsided and afternoon sunshine gently warmed the amphitheatre yesterday, the audience was ready for, and rewarded by, the first wave of headliners. British singer-songwriter Tom Odell, a underrated and overly handsome troubadour, played a charming set of indie pop with melancholic edges.
This year’s Falls Festival line-up is broad. Last night it ran the gamut from slow-beat hipsters London Grammar, to retro soul star Solange (who is the younger sister of Beyonce), to psychedelic electronica duo MGMT, to one of the best hip-hop acts on the planet, The Roots.
Vampire Weekend, Violent Femmes and Late Nite Tuff Guy are still to come.
“It’s a tumultuous time in the music arena at the moment,” Ms Ducrou said. “We’re happy that the Falls Festival is stronger than ever.”
