Bridges, Hoods, a Bloc Party and more – who we’re looking forward to at this year’s Falls Festival!

We’re under two weeks out from one of our favourite times of the year, aside from gorging ourselves on Christmas lunch leftovers, the Falls Festival. Again, the team have delivered a line up that speaks to those who are looking to get away and party hard into 2016, those who are keen to see some of the biggest names in live music at the moment in some idyllic settings and those who are looking to discover their new favourite musicians.

the AU will be holding it down in Lorne and Byron this year and we can’t wait to get out of the city and head up the coast for some excellent times with some of our favourite artists. If you’re trying to put together a festival schedule, establish a Falls road trip playlist or generally are still sitting about scratching your head as to how you’re going to fit all these bands in, perhaps the below list of our must-sees will help you along…

Leon Bridges

This man is going to make hearts melt. The American soul singer has been a definite break out talent of this year and we’re super excited to see him make his debut Australian appearances at the end of the year as part of the Falls tour. With a vibe reminiscent of Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, Bridges’ appeal stems not from only the way he carries himself onstage, but in his talent as guitarist too. He became a huge buzz name at SXSW this year and has branched out into the European market as well.

Did we mention we can’t wait?

Leon will be playing…

December 29th | Falls Lorne | 4:10pm – 5:00pm [Valley Stage]
December 30th | Falls Marion Bay | 2:30pm – 3:20pm [Valley Stage]
January 2nd | Falls Byron Bay | 5:10pm – 6:00pm [Valley Stage]

foals

Foals

What Went Down easily ranks as one of the albums of the year for many Foals fans, no doubt, and the band’s live shows off the back of their 2015 release are something to beheld. If their recent sets in Europe are anything to go by, we’ll be getting a good dose of the band’s new material in amongst the classic hitters and considering Foals had to cancel a run of shows in South America the other month due to Yannis’ vocal injuries, the Australian crowds should (fingers crossed) have the boys back on their A-game!

Foals will be playing…

December 30th | Falls Marion Bay | 11:00pm – 12:00am [Valley Stage]
December 31st | Falls Lorne | 11:00pm – 12:00am [Valley Stage]
January 2nd | Falls Byron Bay | 9:10pm – 10:10pm [Valley Stage]

the maccabees

The Maccabees

The Maccabees haven’t played Australia in some time and with their latest record Marks to Prove It showing the band trying some new creative directions out, we’re interested to see how this all translates on the live front. Interviewing Felix White ahead of the Falls tour recently, the AU learned that the band has been getting into the groove of bringing the album to larger crowds outside of London, the environment where the record was so heavily influenced by. And to great praise, it seems, too.

The Maccabees will be playing…

December 30th | Falls Marion Bay | 5:10pm – 6:00pm [Valley Stage]
December 31st | Falls Lorne | 5:40pm – 6:30pm [Valley Stage]
January 1st | Falls Byron Bay | 8:30pm – 9:20pm [Forest Stage]

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Holy Holy

Holy Holy’s year has kept winding and turning out the good stuff. When you’re complimented by a Gallagher, one does not take that praise lightly and well, these guys can add that to their list of accomplishments too. Debut album When the Storms Would Come threw the duo on to the international stage this year and has well and truly solidified their status as one of the best new bands coming out of Australia. As live performers, Holy Holy have only continued to grow, regardless of whether its on a headline or festival stage, and it’s going to be treat to see them hit the Valley Stage in Lorne this New Year’s Eve.

Holy Holy will be playing…

December 31st | Falls Lorne | 3:00pm – 3:50pm [Valley Stage]

Banoffee

Banoffee

Another artist the AU has been diggin’ through this year is Melbourne’s Banoffee. She’s had a killer year of shows, especially in the lead up to the release of her EP Do I Make You Nervous? and she’s really stepped up to the label of ‘exciting emerging artist’ that many have been touting her with. Her music encompasses a variety of influences and as a live performer, Banoffee has demonstrated great development and growth. She’s already impressed at Splendour, overseas at CMJ, the industry loves her and the locals are switching on to what’s she’s been making – rightly so, too.

Banoffee will be playing…

December 30th | Falls Lorne | 11:20am – 12:00pm [Grand Theatre]

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Bloc Party

This is going to be an interesting run of shows. Bloc Party return to Australia after some time away, the new line up performing out this way for the first time. There had understandably been some apprehension surrounding Bloc Party’s new music, the absence of Gordon and Matt, but for the most part, the band seems to have been taking it all in their stride and have been doling out some well-received shows. For those of us who still hold Silent Alarm as one of the pinnacle indie albums of the early 00’s, change is always going to be a process, but we’re still interested in seeing how the new band dynamic works onstage.

Bloc Party will be playing…

December 30th | Falls Lorne | 11:10pm – 12:00am [Valley Stage]
December 31st | Falls Marion Bay | 11:00pm – 12:10am [Valley Stage]
January 1st | Falls Byron Bay | 11:00pm – 12:00am [Valley Stage]

GOY

Gang of Youths

Voted the AU’s Live Act of the Year this year, Sydney’s Gang of Youths make their debut Falls appearance this year. Winding up what’s been a hectic year for the band off the back of their debut album The Positions, Gang of Youths have fast become Australian favourites and no doubt, the festival crowds are going to be turning up early to see the rockers do their thing and get things off to a killer start at each leg of the Falls tour.

Gang of Youths will be playing…

December 30th | Falls Marion Bay | 12:10pm – 12:50pm [Valley Stage]
December 31st | Falls Lorne | 12:40pm – 1:20pm [Valley Stage]
January 2nd | Falls Byron Bay | 3:00pm – 3:40pm [Valley Stage]

Gary

Gary Clark. Jr

Gary Clark Jr. returns to Australia after some blistering Bluesfest performances for another festival run and we are in no way sick of this guy. One of the best blues guitarists we’ve enjoyed seeing perform in the last few years, Gary’s talent has only continued to remain on the radar of many music fans around the world. When he’s not on dad duty to the gorgeous Zion, the musician is dominating stages through the States and Europe, conjuring up a hot stage presence that has anyone with a passing interest in the blues crumble.

Gary Clark Jr. will be playing…

December 30th | Falls Lorne | 6:50pm – 7:50pm [Valley Stage]
December 31st | Falls Marion Bay | 6:30pm – 7:30pm [Valley Stage]
January 2nd | Falls Byron Bay | 7:40pm – 8:40pm [Valley Stage]

hilltophoods

Hilltop Hoods

Undisputed party starters, the Hoods are and have remained over their impressive career. Their recently announced tour with orchestras around the country wasn’t a surprise to most, they’ve been known to push the boundaries of their music (especially when it comes to playing with it live) for years now but still, it’s going to be interesting to see how they pull the endeavour off. With a festival Australian and international tours safely tucked under their belts this year, the Hoods return to falls after a few years away and no doubt, they’ll make sure the crowd is sufficiently turnt up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux1VeJp4M8c

The Hilltop Hoods will be playing…

December 29th | Falls Lorne | 10:30pm – 11:30pm [Valley Stage]
December 30th | Falls Marion Bay | 9:30pm – 10:30pm [Valley Stage]
December 31st | Falls Byron Bay | 9:30pm – 10:30pm [Valley Stage]

ngaiireimage

NGAIIRE

Another Falls Lorne exclusive artist, NGAIIRE brings her always vibrant live show to Falls for the first time. She’s had one hell of a year, taking her tunes overseas, igniting excitement surrounding her forthcoming sophomore album with the release of the brilliant track “Once” and hosting some well-received headline shows of her own down the east coast. 2016 holds big things for this lady; it’s going to be good to see out the year at a festival with her!

NGAIIRE will be playing…

December 30th | Falls Lorne | 7:30pm – 8:20pm [Grand Theatre]

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Meg Mac

Last week she was crowned as having the Live Voice of the Year at the AU’s Live Music Awards and as she’s continued to prove through this year, Meg Mac is a dynamo performer. She’s grown from being a triple j favourite into a international buzz artist and it’s not surprising. From her music style right down to her personal style, Meg represents a cool wave of musicians out of Australia digging deep with some hectic vocals and soulful tunes.

Meg Mac will be playing…

December 30th | Falls Marion Bay | 1:20pm – 2:00pm [Valley Stage]
December 31st | Falls Lorne | 1:50pm – 2:30pm [Valley Stage]
January 1st | Falls Byron Bay | 2:50pm – 3:30pm [Forest Stage]

The Falls Festival takes place on the following dates – head to www.fallsfestival.com for more information about the event!

December 28th – January 1st | Lorne, VIC
December 29th – January 1st | Marion Bay, TAS
December 31st – January 3rd | Byron Bay, NSW

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