Alana Wilkinson
Alana Wilkinson
Described as equal parts vulnerable folk singer and vitriolic poet, the shining beam of sunlight that is Alana Wilkinson has turned heads recently with stellar performances across major festivals such as Blue Mountains, Queenscliff, Woodford and Nannup. Combining delicate melodies with disarmingly insightful vignettes about the human condition, Wilkinson is a smiling assassin who leaves audiences feeling like they’re sitting in her living room, chatting about life over a steaming cuppa.
Alaska String Band (USA)
The Alaska String Band brings the best of Americana. Winners of the Fame Awards – Bluegrass Band of the Year, this group is polished, with riveting harmonies that are totally off the charts. Groove along while this captivating four-member family band offers up American roots favourites … swing, jazz, rock, original, pop, folk and Bluegrass.
Bruce Watson
Not just another Singer/songwriter! Bruce’s music is joyful, thought provoking, with totally engaging original songs from one of Australia's folk icons. Bruce is a master storyteller in song. His music reflects life in all its beautiful, funny, tragic and messy glory, often with a twist and a quirky sense of humour. “An Australian folk hero!” (The Boite). “The best songwriter I have seen in a long time.” (Eric Bogle)Chloe and Jason Roweth with Matt Nightingale
Chloe and Jason Roweth with Matt Nightingale
Drawing their inspiration from the warmth of old-style bush entertainment and folklore, the Roweths work with vibrant arrangements of new and old traditional Australian ballads and work songs, early country music, original music, poetry, yarns, and dance tunes, weaving together and carrying forward diverse threads of the Australian tradition. Integral to the sound is the formidable and expressive double bass of Matt Nightingale.Good Girl Song Project, The
Good Girl Song Project, The
The Good Girl Song Project anchors itself in great storytelling and original songwriting and features Penny Larkins, Penelope Swales, Helen Begley and Jamie Molloy. They present their stunning folk song cycles “Settlement” and "Voyage" which follow the experiences of new female immigrants to colonial Australia of the 1830s. The struggles and triumphs of new immigrants in an old world are brought to life with finely wrought folk arrangements and tightly scripted storiesGregory North
Gregory North
With lots of hats and voices, he’s a wonder to behold, a writer and performer – three-times champion, we’re told. Bush poetry performance makes him come alive, you see; it’s dinkum Aussie culture that will fill you full of glee. So come along, experience his characters in rhyme, come climb the slime and grime, no crime, it’s prime – a time sublime!Hillbilly Goats
Hillbilly Goats
Festival faves and Bluegrass Golden Guitar finalists, The Hillbilly Goats are a “show” featuring stories and song combined with hard fiddle, fast harmonica, clogging bones and big harmonies… Drawing influence from trad folk tunes, their passion lies in the history and they love to seek out stories of songs almost forgotten and bring them back to life with boundless energy. Kicke yer shows off! These Goats are FUN and not to be missed!Keith McKenry
Keith McKenry
A leading member of Australia's small clan of folklorists, Keith doubles as a slightly crazy performance poet, the only person to have recited 'The Spirit of the People' in the Australian High Court, 'A Study in Linguistics' in the Sydney Opera House, and 'McArthur's Fart at the United Nations in New York. His acclaimed solo tour de force, 'Yet More Lies that Made Australia' is a hilarious thought-provoking entertainment simply not to be missed.Liz Frencham Trio
Liz Frencham Trio
2018 Troubadour Award Winner and perennial festival presence Liz Frencham is stepping back into centre stage supported by virtuoso multi-instrumentalists Pete Fidler and Josh Bennett. She has a BRAND new album and a swag of new songs along with favourites from her 'Jigzag', 'Jimmy The Fish' and duet album days. Come and be warmed by that cheeky grin and cradled by her luminous, generous presence.Mammals, The (USA)
Mammals, The (USA)
The Mammals are an Americana/folk/rock band fronted by husband-and-wife songwriting duo, Mike Merenda and Ruth Ungar, the daughter of fiddle legend, Jay Ungar. The Mammals joke that they’re “too folk for the rock show” and “too rock for the folk show”, but in reality they hit the critical emotional and sonic touchstones of both. Their performances are propelled by just the right amount of guitar grit, soothing harmony, barn-burning fiddle, retro grooves, and storytelling savvy.
Paul McKenna Band, The
Called “the best folk band to have come out of Scotland in the last twenty years” by the New York Times, award-winning Glasgow singer Paul McKenna is ranked among Scotland’s finest young songwriters, armed with a powerful yet intensely emotive voice and passionate social conscience. Alongside Conor Markey (banjo/ bouzouki/ guitars) and Ewan Baird (percussion), Paul McKenna draws on both Scottish and Irish roots in a dynamic full-bodied array of original and traditional material.
RONDANIHAN
The Rondanihan traditional Filipino plucked string orchestra in Rondalla tradition commenced in 2002 in Canberra and has performed in the Philippines, Qld, NSW and the ACT, with regular performances in Canberra and surrounding regions. Based in Canberra, the group performs at major cultural events festivals, diplomatic and public receptions. The repertoire combines traditional and popular music from the Philippines along with classical and popular tunes arranged for plucked stings. Performances are often accompanied by dancers.Victorian Folk Music Club’s Billabong Band
