POUNDING heads and heavy eyelids aside, there was undoubtedly a common thought running through the heads of Falls Festival patrons as they exited Marion Bay: thank goodness I’m not a festival volunteer.
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Empty cans, plastic bottles and the debris of food littered the festival grounds – evidence of a night enjoyed.
Australian electro-rockers Empire Of The Sun helped 14,000 people bring in 2015 with an impressive set featuring wildly-dressed back-up dancers, a well-orchestrated light show and the requisite guitar smash from frontman Luke Steele.
Precursor La Roux wowed the crowd with lead singer Elly Jackson showing off her flawless vocals and guitar skills.
Not a bad effort for acts which were not scheduled to play the festival until mid-November.
Festival director Paul Piticco said the organising team viewed the withdrawal of Robyn, Royksopp and Julian Casablancas + The Voidz as opportunities rather than challenges.
The latter band pulled out of Falls on December 20.
‘‘There’s no really easy solution but when confronted with a major problem you sit in a room with a bunch of people and you work on it until you solve it,’’ Piticco said.
‘‘It’s a lineup that’s second-to-none.
‘‘Year after year I’m surprised that the bands that we love so much honour us with their presence.’’
Piticco admitted questions had been raised about the festival’s longevity in the state.
In the years leading up to 2014 ticket sales were on a downward trend.
But increased family activities, a focus on good food and a slightly different line-up than Falls in Lorne or Byron Bay had seen ticket trends spike, Piticco said.
He said a focus on publicity and media coverage had paid dividends with about 1000 more tickets sold than in the previous year.
‘‘We decided to do a few things differently this year and really doubled-down on Tasmania – and it’s responded,’’ Piticco said.
‘‘We always said we were committed (to Falls in Tasmania). We wanted to show we were.’’
The arts and culture area of Falls, The Village, remained a popular hang-out for families.
Local artists were displayed on the Regrowth stage which was situated comfortably between the Field and Valley stages.
The variation in bands, with acts ranging from roots and jam band John Butler Trio to 1990s rapper Joey Bada$$, ensured there was an artist to suit every musical taste.
St John Ambulance, Piticco and police commended revellers on their behaviour, with few incidents reported to both services.
Although police battled a batch of ecstasy, very few people were ejected from the festival and St John Ambulance volunteers noted record low presentation numbers on the first two days of the event.
Once again, Marion Bay proved itself as a venue worthy of celebration in itself.
Combined with good food, good company and incredible music from some of the world’s best performers, it’s easy to see why Falls Festival organisers maintain their commitment to the state.
