In August, Falls Festival bombarded everyone with a truly heaving 2018/19 lineup. From Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Vance Joy and Hilltop Hoods, to Interpol, CHVRCHES and even Toto, the announcement surely sent spines tingling and wallets quivering as punters raced to snag a ticket.
And as the year rapidly swerves into its last corner and festival season looms closer, Falls has upped the ante and announced a bevvy of new acts arriving for this year’s festivities. Among the crop? The likes of hip hop superstars Juice Wrld and Dizzee Rascal, who’ve been added to the bill across all Falls instalments. There’s a clear penchant for hip hop among Falls-goers, though punters should rest assured that there’s more to the rest of the second lineup announcement, with acts such as Slowly Slowly, Amyl & the Sniffers and LPX also revealed. Now, allow Beat to take you through them all.
Dizzee Rascal
Appearing at: All shows
UK grime pioneer Dizzee Rascal is set to bring his mammoth catalogue to all Falls shows this year. From breakout hits from his acclaimed 2003 debut album Boy in da Corner to all-time favourites ‘Dance Wiv Me’, ‘Bonkers’ and ‘Holiday’, Dizzee Rascal is sure to be an absolute blast.
Juice Wrld
Appearing at: All shows
After attracting a wave of attention for his breakout singles ‘All Girls Are the Same’, ‘Lucid Dreams’ and ‘Legends’, American hip hop young gun Juice Wrld has continued to ride the wave train in 2018, dropping his debut full-length Goodbye & Good Riddance in May to critical acclaim. Catch him across all Falls shows.
LPX
Appearing at: All shows
One half of indie-pop outfit MS MR, Lizzy Plapinger — who performs solo under her moniker LPX — will be taking to Falls shows around the country this year. Armed with her debut solo EP Bolt in the Blue, we reckon it’s going to be bloody amazing.
Cut Copy
Appearing at: Lorne, Marion Bay and Byron Bay
Australian electronic mainstays Cut Copy have been billed to appear at the Lorne, Marion Bay and Byron Bay instalments of Falls. These ARIA and Grammy holders are sure to get your blood racing, or dare we say, your ‘Hearts on Fire’.
Slowly Slowly
Appearing at: Lorne
After offering up their spectacular indie-rock, emo-pop tinged album St. Leonards this year to widespread praise, Slowly Slowly are sure to draw a heaving crowd at Falls Lorne. We’re still not over ‘Alchemy’ tbh.
Little May
Appearing at: Lorne and Byron Bay
While indie folk-pop three-piece Little May haven’t released much material since their knockout 2015 debut For The Company, they’ve continued to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with live. You can catch them at Falls Lorne and Byron Bay.
Amyl & The Sniffers
Appearing at: Lorne and Marion Bay
Amyl & The Sniffers have had an absolutely mammoth live year in 2018. Having toured Europe, the UK and home soil extensively, the Melbourne alternative four-piece will be rounding out the year at Falls Lorne and Marion Bay.
Hayden James
Appearing at: Marion Bay
Falls Marion Bay-goers rejoice — you’ve got yourself a date with master banger purveyor Hayden James. Slinging his barrage of hits including ‘NUMB’, ‘Just a Lover’, ‘Something About You’ and this year’s hit ‘Just Friends’, it’s sure to be a damn good time.
Ziggy Alberts
Appearing at: Marion Bay
From Byron Bay busker to radio-dominating heartthrob, singer-songwriter Ziggy Alberts has had a whirlwind 2018. If tracks like ‘Stronger’, ‘Runaway’ and the ever-endearing ‘Love Me Now ‘ aren’t enough to get your heart fluttering, we don’t know what is.
Hermitude (DJ set)
Appearing at: Byron Bay
Electronic hip hop heavyweights Hermitude will be dropping by Byron Bay for an exclusive DJ set. That said, we reckon they’re going to be conjuring up a real ‘HyperParadise’. Get around it.
Garrett Kato
Appearing at: Byron Bay
The Falls Byron Bay bill has been adorned with local troubadour Garrett Kato — another one of those trusty buskers who has absolutely smashed their way into everyone’s attention. His latest single ‘I’ll Be Around’ is as gorgeous as anything, so his set is sure to be just the same.
Dean Lewis
Appearing at: Fremantle
Is there any other artist than Dean Lewis who has had more air-time of late? We think not. Lewis’ latest track ‘Be Alright’ is an absolute earworm — love it or hate it, it’s proven to be the ultimate follow up to his 2017 breakout ‘Waves’. That said, he’s sure to have the ultimate sing-along going when he takes to Falls Fremantle this year.
Carla Geneve
Appearing at: Fremantle
Perth-native singer-songwriter Carla Geneve broke out in 2018 for her singles ‘Listening’ and ‘Greg’s Discount Chemist’ and has been on a rapid rise to acclaim since. Effortlessly melding pop and indie-rock sensibilities into her captivating lyricism, she’s gone on to support the likes of Abbe May and Jen Cloher, and will now cap it off with a set at this year’s Falls Fremantle.
