Byron Bay

FALLS FESTIVAL

Increases Capacity

+ Adds 6 Acts to Line-up!

The fifth annual FALLS FESTIVAL spectacular in Byron Bay sold-out within hours of going on sale earlier this year. For those who missed out on tickets, get excited – the festival has just received capacity increase approvals for another 2500 tickets, which will go on sale to the general public at 9am AEDT Thursday 02 November! To celebrate, they’ve just announced 6 artists joining the line-up! Including…

JUST ADDED TO THE 2017/18 BYRON BAY LINE-UP:

WAFIA · WAAX · WEST THEBARTON · MANU CROOKS · ALICE IVY · PARTY DOZEN

WAFIA

Well know on many levels, not least for her drop dead gorgeous voice and captivating stage presence, our favourite Brisvegan, Wafia is now Insta-famous – which is generally what you become when Kylie Jenner keeps using your track on her Instagram stories right? The tune, Heartburn taken from her debut EP XXIX, definitely deserves the exposure and is just one in a dangerously addictive back catalogue full anthemic electronica infused R&B. Bodies is the latest horse in that race, stepping up the game a notch with it’s brilliant video and pulsing rhythm. At the end of the day though, who cares if Kylie Jenner is a fan, or if Pharrell loves it (which he does), Wafia thrives on connection between artist and audience.

WAAX

Packing a punch harder than your mates home made tropical disaster, Brisvegas’ WAAX set the standard when it comes to pulsating on-stage energy. Let by bottle-rocket Marie DeVita, they possess a rare blend of power and melody and are garnering a reputation as one of the hardest touring new bands on the Australian circuit. Fair dinkum – they have been absolutely mowing down shows from coast to coast of late, culminating in the recent release of a band new EP named Wild & Week. The release has only served to cement a bourgeoning rep for for snarling, catchy-as-hell punk rock. Think Siouxsie and the Banshees filtered through the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s and you’re in the car park of the ballpark.

WEST THEBARTON

Putting sleepy Thebarton on the map once and for all, West Thebarton provide the type of four-to-the-floor rock n’ roll that you forgot you needed, but all of sudden can’t live without. Currently winding their way around the country in support of their latest instant classic Moving Out (everyone sing along: I fell in love, I’ve had enough and now I’m moving out), these Croweaters are following in the footsteps of the likes of fellow Falls alumni the Smith Street Band and Bad//Dreems in bringing the brutal honesty and pack mentality back to Australian guitar based rock music. They’ve supported plenty of big names and are ready to step out into the fold themselves so please welcome West Thebarton for their Falls debut.

MANU CROOK$

Manu Crook$ is a Sydney based emcee possessing a sound sprung more from the streets of Atlanta that from his native western suburbs. Growing up around hip-hop as a mad fan of US rapper J. Cole, Crook$ has been praised for his ability to extract the cultural cringe from Aussie hop-hip and flip it into something entirely unique and exciting. He has earned raves from the likes of Zane Low of Beats 1 fame and was also the recipient of a recent triple j Unearthed crown. Working with fellow production weapon Dopamine, Crook$’s tracks like Everyday, Assumptions and Blowin’ Up have put him at the forefront of a new wave of Australian artists intent on using head heart and beats to create the right vibe.

ALICE IVY

This is a special one. Genre hopping and expectation defying her way into hearts all over the world is Alice Ivy. Some kind of Frankenstein’s monster of EDM, soul, electronic and maybe even indie pop, Ivy has released several of the strongest debut tracks heard this side of The Avalanches – one of her major influences. Starting with Touch and moving on the Almost Here last year, ears pricked up almost immediately, propelling her onto stages and festivals Australia wide and racking up nearly a million Spotify spins in the process. Get Me A Drink is the real jewell in the crown though, a hypnotic, crunchy, cascade of samples, glitches, bone dry honest lyricisms from E^ST and bars from Melbourne rapper Charlie Threads.

PARTY DOZEN

A legend of the scene who has worn many hats, Jonathan Boulet has taught us over the years to brace for the unexpected. Whether thumping tubs for local stars Parades or breaking out worldwide via his own solo project, Boulet has always been worth keeping a keen ear on. His latest project is Party Dozen, and it may even be the best yet. A collaboration with Kristy Tickle, a big name herself via her work with Brisbane indie-popsters Little Scout, this brand new act revolves around the key elements of saxophone and percussion. Mostly improvisational, Party Dozen are unapologetic in their mission to confound and astound. The scope is large and the sound becomes gloriously messy – it’s a hoot!