23.2 C
Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Byron Falls ends with a splash

Latest News

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.

Other News

The Picture House is turning 8

It feels like we were only just ringing in the new year days ago and here we are approaching Easter weekend at The Brunswick Picture House. It’s already been a whirlwind start to 2024 with their biggest and busiest program so far, bringing an eclectic mix of some of the hottest stand-up comedy, music gigs, film screenings and cabaret – and that was just last week!

Lismore Labor MP called out over native forest logging

More than five hundred people marched in the rain through Lismore to the local state member’s office in protest against government sanctioned native forest logging on Sunday.

Workshop in Creative Writing For Beginners

Have you always felt like you have a novel in you, but don’t know where to start? Or have...

Floodplains

We need a serious talk about development on floodplains with more creativity and sophistication. The recent discussion about development...

It’s a biggest little town festival! 

Supporters, performers, and volunteers gathered to launch the Mullum Laneways Festival 2024 last Friday. 

Mullum pods

They look so uninviting and dismal. It would not cost a lot to change the name to ‘tiny homes’...

Hannah Reid and London Grammar delivered on a three day promise as torrential rain pored down of the close of the 2017 Byron Falls Festival. Photo David Lowe.
Hannah Reid and London Grammar delivered on a three day promise as torrential rain poured down on the close of three massive days of the 2017 Byron Falls Festival. Photo David Lowe.

Eve Jeffery

This season’s Falls Festival closed with a splash in the wee hours this morning as Alison Wonderland sent the crowd on its way and thousands of punters were cleaned and refreshed with a spot of rain.

After hearing reports of massive storms crossing the state, Falls punters were still sticking to the shade on Monday afternoon at North Byron Parklands. Photo Tree Faerie.
After hearing reports of massive storms crossing the state, Falls punters were still sticking to the shade on Monday afternoon at North Byron Parklands. Photo Tree Faerie.

The vollies were awesome, the venue was fantastic and the kofta balls were cheap as festivallers passed through the gates of the North Byron Parklands for the 2016/17 Byron Falls Festival.

Organisers had all bases covered and the event ran smoothly in what turned into a stinker of a new year season with temperatures climbing into the 30s along the coast.

Festival director Brandon Saul said the event was sold out to capacity (22,500) over the three days of the festival with Grandmaster Flash, The Rubens and DMAs all drawing big crowds.

‘With the hot weather, many of our patrons took advantage of the regular shuttle buses to close by beaches to cool off during the day’, he said after the event.

‘For those who chose to stay on site throughout the day we put a lot of effort into keeping people cool and hydrated – the magnificent 12 pool water park was once again a huge hit as well as the numerous shaded venues with a variety of entertainment including the Forest Stage – a huge big top surrounded by trees.

‘We had free water refill stations, roving volunteers with back pack water sprayers and we handed out water and sunblock at the main stage.

Day three held some awesome acts in store and the hope that the weather might cool.

Hearing reports during the afternoon of a massive storm front crossing the state, folk at Falls thought they were in trouble.

falls-festival-1617-fat-freddys-drop-photo-tree-faerie-9w6a5257
Fat Freddy’s Drop horn section got hot as the pre-storm humidity rose on Monday afternoon. Photo Tree Faerie.

Fat Freddy’s Drop were the last to play in the swelter and trombonist Joe Lindsay was up to his usual high energy hijinks, sans pants and shirt as the populace melted in the rising humidity.

When Bernard Fanning played the first few chords of a pleasantly chilled prelude, the gentle splashes of rain led fans to believe they had dodged a bullet.

It wasn’t until Catfish and the Bottlemen took the stage that the heavens broke open and the Valley Amphitheatre was closed as Falls staff rearranged the floor plan to keep the performers safe and (almost) dry.

The covered Forest Stage was a popular destination for many in the crowd but the Valley was hosting what thousands had come to see.

A delay of 45 minutes for the stage reset was the only pastel moment in a vibrant kaleidoscope of music and art and considering the lashing mother nature visited upon the North Byron Parklands, it was a testament to Falls organisers’ dedication to the fans that Catfish returned to the stage to play a huge set and were later followed by festival highlight London Grammar who delivered an epic set despite being hammered by wind and water, with Hannah Reid and the lads giving the crowd exactly what they had waited three days to hear.

falls-festival-1617-photo-david-lowe-_dsc_0292
The rain didn’t keep anyone away asLondon Grammar hot the Valley Stage at Falls. Photo David Lowe.

‘The thunderstorm and rain on Monday night delayed acts on the main stage for 45 mins but London Grammar and Alison Wonderland still attracted big crowds,’ said Mr Saul.

‘It was a smooth exit from the site on Tuesday with some delay because of rain but all campers were off the site by 11.30am.

‘A huge amount of effort went into creating this festival and we would like to thank all the staff, service personnel and the army of over 500 volunteers.

‘The festival patrons themselves should also be congratulated – everyone commented on how friendly, polite and cooperative the patrons were and that it made this year’s Falls Music and Arts Festival Byron a great experience.”

Photos David Lowe and the Tree Faerie


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Saddle Road group home DA decision this week

Plans to build Byron Shire’s first permanent group home for women and children in housing stress are moving ahead, with the development application for the project coming before Council this week.

A health check as Medicare turns 40

If you’ll forgive the earnest tone, I’d like to propose a toast. To a friend who’s almost always there when you need them most. To a system that aims to treat people fairly and respectfully. 

Byron Council staff baulk at councillors’ promise of free parking for locals

Will Byron Council deliver on its pledge to make parking permits free for locals across the Shire when paid parking comes into force in Brunswick Heads?

Carrying and passing the torch

If I say the words ‘US Forces give the nod’, I can pretty much guarantee that you will hear the unmistakable voice of Peter Garrett ringing in your ears. Your head may even start to bob up and down a bit.