The organisers behind Falls Festival have today announced they’re pushing ahead, working towards a limited edition, all-Australian lineup for the festival’s December 2020/January 2021 iteration.
In a letter shared today by Falls co-producers Jess Ducrou and Paul Piticco, the pair said they have decided to “move forward with optimism” as Australia slowly heads towards the recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, in a way that will best support Australia’s live music industry.
“We have some of the most exciting acts in the world and this special “home grown” edition of Falls will ensure that money stays in our local economy, providing maximum financial benefit for the Australian music community – artists, management, crew, agents, roadies, production etc – as well as the thousands of contractors and suppliers who rely on our events for their income,” commented Ducrou and Piticco.
This year’s festival will also raise funds for Australian music not-for-profit Support Act, which provides essential services to music industry workers, and has been particularly active throughout the past months as coronavirus affects many in the industry.
“Health and safety is always our number one priority, so as the recovery process begins and more information becomes available, we will continue working with and taking direction from the health authorities. But today we’re letting you know that while we’re living in strange times, we’re choosing the bright side. Our team is moving ahead and we hope we’ll be seeing you all in December/January for an all Aussie edition of Falls Festival,” added organisers.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced several Australian festivals – including Splendour in the Grass – to postpone planned events for later in the year.
Late last month, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Brendan Murphy suggested we wouldn’t be seeing a return to large scale events like festivals until it was possible to be 100% sure there was no risk of the virus being spread.
“Unless you’re absolutely, completely confident about your borders, your testing, your surveillance, you can’t relax a measure of distancing,” explained Murphy at the time.
“We certainly would not be contemplating large-scale gatherings. It’s hard for me to envisage reopening of nightclubs and big music festivals in the foreseeable future.”
The annual Falls Festival is held over the New Years Eve period in Lorne, Marion Bay, Byron Bay and Fremantle. The most recent event featured a lineup that included the likes of Halsey, Vampire Weekend and Disclosure along with local favourites like Amyl and the Sniffers, Vera Blue, G Flip, Thelma Plum, Waax and Baker Boy.
