‘Your Choice’ becomes key motto as Falls Festival celebrates its silver jubilee in 2017

The beloved Falls Festival turns 25 this year and in its release of the first line up for the summer event tour dropping today, it’s evident that the crew behind Falls are making their silver jubilee one to remember.

The international visitors to stages in Lorne, Fremantle, Byron and Marion Bay over New Year’s are largely familiar to Australian shores, while some (Vince StaplesD.R.A.M) are still making their dent in our live scene. On the Australian front, Falls this year is playing into the hearts of music fans who are both keen for nostalgia and a NYE set list that is sure to impress, with the likes of Daryl BraithwaiteFlumeAnna LunoeAllday and The Smith Street Band all confirmed.

This isn’t going to be simply a birthday celebration though, with Falls indicating they’re going to be working harder than before to ensure the festival atmosphere and the four event sites are safe for crowds throughout the duration of the festival tour. Falling in line with the recent launch of the Your Choice initiative, a more inclusive and aware Falls will be on display in 2017/2018.

Of course, the festival has a lot to prove in the eyes of some, with this being the first event tour after the horrendous incident during last year’s run that saw many injured following DMA’s Grand Theatre show. Still, the air of positivity and optimism surrounding Falls Festival as one thousands are bound to flock to is strong today; we’ve spent many a year up in the lush Lorne surrounds, out in Marion Bay and recently, in Fremantle, with the festival, and can vouch for the unique and definitely, come NYE, celebratory vibe Falls projects each year.

As we saw at Falls last year, the demographic (particularly at Lorne) has changed rather significantly, with a younger crowd taking a more prominent presence than perhaps at the other festival sites. When we are still in a social climate for live music that still, still, sees the call for ‘No Dickhead’ policies, hotline numbers for punters to call if they see any unsavoury or abusive behaviour, it can sometimes be difficult to grapple with the reality: festivals can breed and highlight the worst behaviour of some.

It’s important that this festival season, ‘Your Choice’ as a phrase rings out strongly; it’s your choice to be a moron, it’s your choice to call others out on it. It’s your choice to keep your friends safe and it’s your choice to demand a safer and more enjoyable party atmosphere if you feel the scene is not achieving the brief presently.

Here’s hoping Falls Festival’s 25th birthday is one that is bound to ring in a new chapter in the storied history of one of Australia’s longest running events.

If you’re looking to spend your New Year’s break with Falls, tickets are on sale at the below times:

Friends of Falls pre-sales: 9am local, August 24th
Optus Perks pre-sales: 9am local, August 25th
General Public sales: 9am local, August 29th
Tasmanian in store sales: 9am local, August 29th

2017/2018 FALLS FESTIVAL LINE UP

FLUME (No Sideshows)
FLEET FOXES
RUN THE JEWELS
THE KOOKS
GLASS ANIMALS (No Sideshows)
PEKING DUK
ANGUS & JULIA STONE
FOSTER THE PEOPLE
LIAM GALLAGHER
VINCE STAPLES
JUNGLE
DUNE RATS
THE SMITH STREET BAND
D.R.A.M
DARRYL BRAITHWAITE
EVERYTHING EVERYTHING
ALLDAY
THE JUNGLE GIANTS
THUNDAMENTALS
METHYL ETHEL
SLUMBERJACK
D.D DUMBO
ANNA LUNOE
DZ DEATHRAYS
CONFIDENCE MAN
JULIA JACKLIN
BAD//DREEMS
COSMO’S MIDNIGHT
WINSTON SURFSHIRT
LUCA BRASI
ALEX LAHEY
CAMP COPE
FLINT EASTWOOD
ECCA VANDAL
DAVE
TOTAL GIOVANNI

More artists are still to be announced but in the meantime, mark the festival dates and find out more information here!

Lorne, Victoria: December 28th – December 31st
Marion Bay, Tasmania: December 29th – December 31st
Byron Bay, New South Wales: December 31st – January 2nd
Fremantle, Western Australia: January 6th & 7th

Photo captured at Falls Downtown 2017 by Stuart Sevastos.

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