As much a staple of Australian summers as the Triple J Hottest 100, barbecues and budgie-smugglers, Falls Festival is nearly upon us. If you haven’t checked out the full lineup, you can here, and after you’re finished there, go read the news. You’ve clearly been living under a rock for the last few months, but now that you’re on the same page as the rest of us, pack your bags because it’s all aboard the hype-train! It’s the highlight of many people’s musical year (especially if you’re down in Tasmania, as it’s one of the few good events down there).
But we know that not everyone can attend. Life can sometimes get too much, or maybe you just don’t have the money to spend on seeing so many bands. Or maybe it’s only really one band that interests you. Or you’re one of the unlucky mainlanders who didn’t get tickets before Byron Bay and Lorne sold out.
It’s okay though! Luckily, a bunch of the bands have seen fit to schedule their own shows around the festival. This generally happens every year, but it’s always a gamble if your favourite act will play sideshows. The wait is over, so now you can check below to see if your musical bae is coming to see you.
The Avalanches
Holy sampling smokes, Batman! In support of their astounding sophomore album Wildflower (which I’m sure I don’t need to remind you was their first new music in roughly 16 years), Australian electronic music legends The Avalanches will be playing a few shows in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. If you saw them at this year’s Splendour, you’ll know exactly how good they’re going to be. As if that wasn’t enough, hip-hop gawd Grandmaster Flash is down to open for them in Melbourne and Sydney and hometown heroes Bad//Dreems for the Adelaide leg.
Tue 3 Jan – Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne with special guest Grandmaster Flash
Thu 5 Jan – Enmore Theatre, Sydney with special guest Grandmaster Flash
Sat 7 Jan – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide with special guests Bad//Dreems
AlunaGeorge
British pop-electro duo AlunaGeorge (Aluna Francis and George Ried) have been tearing it up lately. Pairing up with a bunch of huge names to take the charts by storm (including Jack Ü on To Ü), the London based duo is not an act to miss.
Fri 6 Jan – The Corner, Melbourne
Grouplove
Cali indie-pop outfit Grouplove have a pretty fitting name, as they are loved by crowds around the world. Delivering blistering shows to sold-out audiences in Sydney and Melbourne earlier this year, the band are back along with New York electro-duo Phantogram to continue the party.
Tue 3 Jan – Enmore Theatre, Sydney with special guests Phantogram
Fri 6 Jan – Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne
Jamie T
One of the most unique and quirky acts to emerge from the UK in the last few years, Jamie T is amazing. The five-time NME award winner will be here to return to Falls, his first Aussie festival since utterly killing it in the Amphitheatre at last year’s Splendour, but if you can’t make it be sure to get down in Sydney and Melbourne come early 2017.
Wed 4 Jan – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Thu 5 Jan – Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne
Catfish And The Bottlemen
The Welsh indie-rock band will be returning to Australia to get crazy with Sydney and Melbourne. They pulled out at the 11th hour of their scheduled appearance at Splendour In The Grass last year so this will be a tour for redemption for them. The best part? This time they’ll also be playing belters from their stellar new album The Ride. Be sure to check them out if you’re a fan of The Kooks or Mystery Jets.
Tue 3 Jan – 170 Russell, Melbourne
Fri 6 Jan – Metro Theatre, Sydney
MØ
If you turned on a radio sometime last year, you will with almost certainty have heard DJ Snake and Major Lazer‘s Lean On. I bet you’re hearing that chorus in your head right now, aren’t you? Well providing the vocals for that chart-destroying hit was Danish singer MØ, and she’ll be gracing Australia with her presence early next year. Good news for those of us who haven’t hit adulthood yet (cherish it), her Sydney gig is all ages.
Tue 3 Jan – Metro Theatre, Sydney (All Ages)
Thu 5 Jan – 170 Russell, Melbourne
Lemaitre
Electro music sensations Lemaitre will be a treat to see, and if you can’t make it to Falls you’re not out of luck! The Norwegian group will play a couple of shows over the New Year, so make sure to hit them up.
Wed 4 Jan – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Thu 5 Jan – Howler, Melbourne
RY X
Australian singer/songwriter Ry Cuming, better known by his stage name RY X, is coming home off the back of extensive touring across Europe and America. One half of the project Howling, which released only one, self-titled album (which is one of my favourite chill records), RY X will be sure to put on a great show and give you untold goosebumps with that voice of his.
Fri 6 Jan – Newtown Social Club, Melbourne
Sat 7 Jan – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Modern Baseball
Punk rockers Modern Baseball hail from Maryland, one of the spiritual homes of American punk. Joined by a trio of kickass local ladies currently breaking right out in Camp Cope, these shows are sure to be crazy. Honestly, if you’re not in the mosh at Falls, you better be here! Not to miss if you’re a punk fan!
Wed 4 Jan – Metro Theatre, Sydney (All Ages)
Fri 6 Jan – 170 Russell, Melbourne
Shura
English dream-pop wonder girl Shura cites influences such as Massive Attack, Madonna and Pink Floyd. After listening to her stuff, it’ll be hard to disagree. She has a style of her own, and it’s a beauty to listen to. Absolutely essential listening and worth checking her out in a more intimate environment in Melbourne.
Wed 4 Jan – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
For those who have access to the exclusive pre-sale tickets, they’ll be available through Secret Sounds Touring this Thursday (22 September), before the general public sales go live at 9am on Friday 23 Sept. If I don’t see you at Falls, I hope you can make it to some of the sideshows!
Image: The Avalanches