Purple Sneakers Approved: Falls Festival 17/18

The days are heating up; fridges are being stocked with ice-cold bevvies, thongs are inevitably reappearing and everyone’s stripping down to the bare essentials. This can only mean one thing. It’s the return of the sweaty season, and with it, the dozens of summer festivals stocked-up with world class acts.

FALLS FESTIVAL, which can only be described as the Alpha of Australian summer festivals, hardly needs an introduction. Stretching over the New Years weekend at four locations around Australia, with headliners such as Flume, Run the Jewels, Fleet Foxes and Foster the People, it promises to be days filled with good vibes and good times as it once again serves as the perfect way to kick off a new year.

With a line up stacked full of international heavyweights and some hugely impressive local talents, we have taken it upon ourselves to take you through some of the artists we're particularly looking forward to for this year's lineup. Check out our picks below!

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ECCA VANDAL

Late 90’s, early 2000’s pop punk is making a comeback with Ecca Vandal. Her latest release, her self-titled debut album, is an amalgamation of Paramore (with more of an edge) and The Spazzy’s-style vocals, grungy electric guitar and racing drums. Rap, jazz and a pinch of electronic are also in her musical vocabulary (she even collaborated with Moonbase for a track) and she is additionally known to be pretty rambunctious in her live shows. If that’s anything to go off, she’ll most likely be a hit with festivalgoers at this year’s Falls.

ANNA LUNOE

I’ve seen her described as ‘hyperhouse’ and, well, it’s true. Anna Lunoe mixes innocent, aired out vocals with summer-style electronic production, delivering a balanced blend of pulsating bass and pop. If you’re looking to dance at Falls this year, Anna Lunoe is your ticket, she’ll be sure to deliver classic build-ups and drops. Not to mention the fact she's just had a baby, so she'll be fresh as a daisy after a few months off to really bring her A-game this New Year's Eve!

JULIA JACKLIN

Sydney-based artist, Julia Jacklin, has had a thrilling past couple of months, so it's only fitting for her to wrap up her best year yet at one of the best festivals. Her voice emulates the slow, caressing guise of Elvis Presley with the added sweetness of Dusty Springfield. Her lyrics hold a raw truth that can make anyone question the existentialism of life. Listening to the honeyed croons of Jacklin at a Falls sunset would be a sweet goodnight kiss to the day gone by.

WINSTON SURFSHIRT

Sydney boys, Winston Surfshirt, embody an unusual mix of RnB, hip-hop and soul. Their new releases take a leaf out of Darwin Deez’s quirky book, as can be heard in their newly released debut album, Sponge Cake. Currently the six-piece is on a jam-packed Australian tour and by the end of the year will have made their way to Falls Festivals around the country to charm the audiences with their unusual, beachside sounds.

DAVE

He’s only 19, yet socially conscious grime artist, Dave, has already worked with big names such as Drake and AJ Tracy. He emerges from South London, a region which has been producing a line of strong artists for decades, including global sensation, Stormzy. Having just released his latest single, ‘Question Time’, which delves deep into the misconceptions of UK politics, Dave has established himself as one of the best current rappers, not just in the UK, but circulating globally. If his age and his success is anything to go by, Dave is sure to give Falls-goers a show to remember and to dance to, but also one that will make you think as well.

The full line-up (so far):

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