What Falls Festival cancellation means for Geelong’s music scene
More details surrounding Falls Festival’s shock announcement have been revealed, as a rival event confirms its commitment to the region.
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Colac Otway Shire never entered into discussions to host Falls Festival at Birregurra this year while a rival festival in Golden Plains is locked in for another year, it has been confirmed.
Council chief executive officer Anne Howard said there had not been any discussions to host a 2023 Falls Festival in the shire.
The festival had been hosted in Lorne – where it originated – for 27 years before being relocated in 2022 after a 2021 cancellation.
There had been plans for the three-day event to be held in the Colac Otway Shire, but public outrage and an impending Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal appeal meant organiser Secret Sounds withdrew the application.
“We would welcome discussions for any future events the company wishes to apply for in our shire,” Ms Howard said.
“We respect the company’s decision to take a break this year.”
Secret Sounds, the team behind Falls Festival, announced on Instagram on Wednesday the annual event would not go ahead in any of its three locations – Melbourne, Byron Bay and Fremantle – this December.
The 2022-23 event was held at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, and on Wednesday organisers took to social media to break the news that this year’s iteration was cancelled.
Meanwhile rival festival Beyond The Valley, which was welcomed to Barunah Plains in the Golden Plains Shire for the first time in 2022, has been confirmed to return for 2023.
It’s understood the event generated $17m for the Golden Plains economy.
There was traffic chaos at the 2022-23 festival, but director of festivals and major events for organisers Untitled Group Pete Sofo said it was an “overwhelming success”.
“With some improvements works already happening to our site, we expect 2023 to be even better,” Mr Sofo said.
“We’re extremely humbled to be welcomed into our new home by the local community and looking forward to a thriving annual event.”
Falls Festival’s cancellation marked the end of 28 years of the New Year event.
“We send huge love and appreciation to all our patrons for their ongoing support and for the great vibes they brought to the 2022-23 events,” organisers said in the social media post.
“You really are the heart and soul of Falls Festival, and we look forward to updating you with our plans when the time is right.”
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