Posted by kluster on January 8, 2010
Heat and still more oppressive heat. The John Steel Singers played an energetic set in matching red Lurex wizard capes that looked like Hogwarts on LSD and soon their poppy harmonies had the lethargic crowd bouncing and jostling around. Later they appeared in latex horse masks for a surreal all-in dance party to 'Evolution'.
At midday the phenomenally talented Andrew Bird hobbled on stage with a busted foot. The man with magic lips. The combination of his soaring vocals and orchestral violin gave me goose bumps even though the temperature must have climbed beyond 40 degrees. He whistled sweet lullabies and soon the tent resembled a kindergarten at naptime.
Sydney locals Dappled Cities had clearly made the most of Lorne’s seaside, performing songs that sounded like musical theatre in salt-stained boardshorts. It was beginning to look as though the heat might get the better of us; dehydrated souls littered the ground seeking refuge in pockets of shade when, like a splash of cold water, Art Vs. Science exploded onto stage. They thrashed around behind keyboards and synths screaming savage vocals. An enormous crowd jumped and danced in the afternoon glow to the camp electro racket, while all manner of inflatables ricocheted above the chaos, including a life-size horse and a flock of penguins.
By early evening the menacing dark clouds that had gathered overhead where ready to drop their payload. As the first heavy drops fell to earth and dust turned to mud a great weave of relief washed over us. The tension between our fragile expectations and raw anxiety dissolved and our only motivation was to have fun. It wasn’t hard to have fun watching - and obviously, clapping to - The Phenomenal Hand Clap Band. Their cheesy psychedelic funk had a scant but excitable audience grooving to their super tight disco hooks while two gorgeous tambourine girls made slick work of 15 to 20.
Down on the valley stage Rodrigo y Gabriela stunned the crowd with their jaw-dropping guitar skills. If you have ever wondered what a human soul sounds like coming out of a guitar, see this duo. They played almost the entire set with their eyes closed as lighting-fast fingers and hands hammered out relentless acoustic rhythms. The rain had stopped now and plastic ponchos were abandoned as a slightly chubby Moby greeted us with a New York drawl (think Woody Allen meets Dr Evil). He brought together a gaggle of talented musicians who transformed his melancholy mopings into exhilarating unifying anthems. Sixteen thousand souls danced their unique dances and radiated positivity to 'We Are All Made of Stars' and 'Bodyrock', the valley became a giant old school rave and Moby was in his element.
As the witching hour drew closer the storm clouds parted, allowing the blue moon to peer over the tree line and cast its glow over every face. The clock struck 12; we released our hopes and fears for the new decade into the sky, kissed one another and set sail, howling, into the night.
Check out more photos from Falls on the gallery.
falls festival, review, lorne, 2009, 2010