Rodrigo Y Gabriela occupy a space unlike any other in the world-music spectrum. These Mexican guitar heroes deliver an insane specimen of live musical performance with their duelling acoustic sets and uncharted intersection of metal, Mexican folk, flamenco and fusion jazz, with touches of raga, blues and psychedelia.
Fremantle 4-piece San Cisco have earned a starring role on the iPod of every indie-music-lover in the country over the past year. Coming in at #7 in last year’s triple j Hottest 100 with ‘Awkward’, they’re a band that continue to deliver catchy tune after catchy tune and will be bringing all of their anthems to Falls this summer!
Injected with so much energy, technical skill and fun, one of the world’s pre-eminent mash-up DJ’sJaguar Skills incorporates 90’s hip-hop, 80’s pop and weird 70’s jazz breaks to amazing effect. Dressed as a ninja onstage, his persona and mysterious edge are famous worldwide and for good reason. Ready to blend the decks at Falls this year, there’s no telling what he’s got cooked up – but it’s sure to be loads of fun.
DJ Nu Mark has pushed the boundaries of what a DJ can achieve with his art. As the resident mixologist for infamous LA rappers Jurassic 5, he’s best known for his production on the raw anthem ‘What’s Golden’. Bringing his unique Toy Set to Falls this year – which is exactly what it sounds like, a show constructed around children’s toys, it’s set to be a playful affair.
From her early incarnation as a guitar toting indie queen, the magnificent Bertie Blackman has transformed herself into the electronic songstress we know today. Tracks like ‘Fast Bitch’, ‘Thump’, ‘Byrds of Prey’ and latest single ‘Boy’, have seen Bertie’s reputation grow exponentially with each release. Her latest album Pope Innocent X will be her fourth and you get the sense there will be many more to come from this gorgeous gem.
Get your Deep Heat on this summer with Oh Mercy’s latest release. It’s been hailed far and wide as an Australian classic since its release in September with songs you can fall in love with, whilst at the same time busting some seriously slinky dance moves.
Melbournites Loon Lake have been busy pumping out hits like ‘Cherry Lips’ – which has been absolutely everywhere of late, proving itself to be one of the upcoming party anthems this summer. Packed with lasting melodies and warmth, their recent EP Thirty Three will leave your head bopping and your toes tapping.
New kids on the block, The Jungle Giants have leaped to the front of the pack of emerging artists in Australia with tracks like ‘Mr Polite’ and ‘She’s A Riot’. Their rolling force of indie-superpop and youthful gusto uses swift guitar lines and melodies that will plant themselves firmly in your brain.
Hitting your funny bone this year, The Falls Music & Arts Festival Comedy line-up includes:
Jason Byrne is a comedic superhero, using his Irish wit and penchant for audience participation to create an epic and massively entertaining show. Just don’t show up and hide up the back hoping he won’t single you out – those are always the people that end up copping it. (Lorne only).
Representing for the ladies on this year’s comedy line-up, it’s Felicity Ward! Winner of the Best Australian Act at the Perth International Comedy Festival in 2012, she’s made multiple appearances on shows like Spicks and Specks and Thank God You’re Here. Headlining sold-out tours across Australia, she’s ready to take on Falls with parts of her hilarious ‘The Hedgehog Dilemma’ show.
Quick, witty and smart, all adjectives used to describe Nazeem Hussain’s stand-up. You’ll know him as one half of the wildly popular duo Fear of a Brown Planet and for his regular appearances on triple j, the 7pm Project, ABC’s Sleuth 101 and Q & A.
One of the countries most promising young comedians and his purple puppet Sammy J & Randyhave produced shows that have been described as “Another brilliantly executed musical extravaganza that’s raucous, witty fun from start to finish” – Chortle, Edinburgh.
There aren’t many comedians out there with law degrees, but then again Ronny Chieng isn’t your average comedian. Finishing 2nd in the 2010 RAW Comedy finals, recently announced as Best Newcomer at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and appearing at the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal, his observations on being a self confessed “Malaysian born Chinese guy” will force you to agree that the only way is the Ron way.
Winner of the 2010 Raw Comedy award, Luke Heggie is a relative newcomer to the stand-up scene but he already seems to have mastered the deadpan delivery and exquisite timing that can often be the difference between success and failure. The strength of satire is a person’s ability to identify and mock stupidity – and this is Heggie’s exquisite craft.
Actor, hip-hop artist, comedian – Matthew O’Kine can bring it all to the stage. Winner of the ‘Best Newcomer’ at the 2012 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, he’s one of the countries most exciting up-and-coming comedians.
Just announced for The Falls Music & Arts Festival, in alphabetical order:
Main Program: Bertie Blackman, DJ Nu Mark Toy Set, Jaguar Skills, Loon Lake, Oh Mercy, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, San Cisco, The Jungle Giants. Comedy: Felicity Ward, Jason Byrne (L), Luke Heggie, Matthew O’Kine, Nazeem Hussain, Ronny Chieng, Sammy J & Randy.
The Falls Music & Arts Festival 2012 line-up so far, in alphabetical order:
MAIN PROGRAM: Angus Stone – Ash Grunwald – Ball Park Music – Beach House (USA) – Bertie Blackman – Best Coast (USA) – Bombay Bicycle Club (UK) – Boy & Bear – Coolio (USA) – Cosmo Jarvis (UK) – DJ Nu Mark Toy Set (USA) – Django Django (UK) – First Aid Kit (SWE) – Hilltop Hoods – Hot Chip (UK) – Jaguar Skills (UK) – Jinja Safari – The Jungle Giants – Lisa Mitchell – Loon Lake – Matt Corby – Maxïmo Park (UK) – Millions – Oh Mercy – Rodrigo Y Gabriela (MX)- Sampology Presents A Falls Anniversary Live AV Show – San Cisco – SBTRKT Live (UK) – Sharon Van Etten (USA) – The Flaming Lips (USA) – The Hives (SWE) – The Vaccines (UK) – Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (UK) – Two Door Cinema Club (IRE) – Willis Earl Beal (USA) L
BOOGIE NIGHTS: Anna Lumb and DJ Lazer Ferrari, Chris Gill & Mohair Slim L, DJ Manchild & Russ Dewbury (UK) M, Furnace & the Fundamentals L, Legs Akimbo (UK), Muscles L, The Bamboos L & MP, The Cuban Brothers.
COMEDY: Felicity Ward, Jason Byrne (IRE)(L), Luke Heggie, Matthew O’Kine, Nazeem Hussain, Ronny Chieng, Sammy J & Randy.
*L = Lorne only. M= Marion Bay only. MP = Marion Bay main program.
More acts to still be announced.
The Falls Music & Arts Festival 2012
About: A world-class line-up of music, comedy and arts in a relaxed festival environment. The coastal locations are beautiful and all camping is free.
Events: Dec 28 – Jan 1 in Lorne, Victoria (established 1993). 18+ event SOLD OUT
Dec 29 – Jan 1 in Marion Bay, Tasmania (established 2003). All ages
Tickets to Lorne are sold out; luckily the 10th edition of Marion Bay is still currently available. With even more flights recently added over the December / January period from Melbourne to Hobart, travel is cheap and super easy. Scope out your options and don’t miss out on this year’s amazingline-up.
Head to www.fallsfestival.com, tickets are $193 (2 day) or $226 (3 day) + b/f, including free camping.
Follow the festival here:
fallsfestival.com