Secondly, it's the layout and the set up of the festival. The main stage at the bottom of a natural ampitheatre is incredible, and it allows everyone to experience their music in whatever shape and form they wish, being able to see everything no matter where they are. Whether you want to sit and chill out in the sunshine swaying to the beats at the top of the hill, or go nuts down close to the front of the stage, you can always get the best visual and audio experience depending on what you're in the mood for, even if you change your mind half way through. The amount of times we sat as a group feeling a little low on energy (which happens at times at a five day festival!) further up the hill but as soon as whatever band started we got over excited and went running down the hill to join the hundreds of dancing fans was more times than I can count. The music was just too good to sit still!Thirdly, what I also love about Falls is discovering new bands and different types of music. Falls has such an ecclectic mix sounds and particularly this time where they brilliantly moved 'The Village' to behind the main stage instead of somewhere out in the forest, we got to experience artists and bands that I perhaps never would have gone to see. Oscar and Martin is the perfect example of this. I'd heard of them but had never really heard their music. Their set was dreamlike but funky and got everyone up dancing. Definitely an album that I want! 'The Village' was also fantastic because it was interactive. So many of my friends came back to our camping spot with weird and wonderful items they'd made like drink bottle carriers and hats. One of the boys, Bobby, burnt his friend's hat so it had massive holes in it (lovely!) but the artists in the village helped him patch it up with colourful material so it looked much more fun and unique than it did originally. Win!
I had a truly amazing music experience this year, with so many bands and artists that I want to acknowledge. Aloe Black however, was probably the most exciting and fun set that I've ever been a part of. Apart from his ever so cool voice and music, the Falls crowd really delivered an amazing performance. I don't know who started it but a group of people, to each song Aloe Black sang, started a dance consisting of a few moves, which then travelled down towards everyone at the stage to a point where the whole crowd was just dancing in sync. It looked absolutely unreal, whether watching it on the screen or looking back up the hill. I actually couldn't stop smiling. Aloe Black then cleared circles in the mosh pit for everyone to take turns dancing in like crazy people and also created a soul train down the middle of the crowd. The whole thing was just amazing to be a part of, and one of those beautiful moments in life where you appreciate being alive and being surrounded with what you love - music, friends and freedom.Other performances that really stand out for me looking back are The Wonderful World of DJ Yoda - what a set! The start with Star Wars set the pace for the rest of the set, every song that came on got a huge cheer from the crowd, I just couldn't stop laughing at the songs he kept playing, it was so much fun and the best way to end the second night. Too good.
Dub FX were unreal, so much talent, we were blown away by their creativity and of course the crazy beats!
During Missy Higgins I ran into to some old friends I hadn't seen in years so had a memorable sing along with them.
Kimbra and The Jezabels were unbelievable as usual, a mate of mine who saw Kimbra at ANU in Canberra earlier in the year said that Kimbra seemed a lot more polished than she was six months ago. I didn't know her music that well but I thought she delivered a really fun and energetic performance. I got so into it, definitely another album to buy!
Of course The Kooks and Arctic Monkeys, despite the tension between them both got to everyone with their music. I've seen The Kooks a few times now and whilst you can't particularly understand what Luke Pritchard is saying most of the time, he delivers the songs with perfection. Arctic Monkeys were an unreal choice to play over New Years, we had so much fun.One band that I'd been really hanging out to see was The Naked and Famous. I don't think I danced harder in any set the whole week. They have this mysterious, cool aura about them and their songs just sounded magical in the natural amphitheater. A definitely highlight for me.
I could go on but in all honestly its hard to differentiate how awesome one band or artist was to the next, just thinking about it now...How I wish I could go back!
