More than 100 new acts have been added to the National Folk Festival's already impressive line-up, as the festival heads into its 53rd year,
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As Australia’s longest-running major folk festival, the festival fondly known as "the National" will feature more than 180 performers over a massive five days this Easter.
From April 18 to April 22, world-class performers from around the globe and close to home are ensuring it is already shaping up to be a stellar event.
“The 2019 line-up is so diverse with acts spanning the full gamut of folk, from contemporary and trad to bluegrass, celtic, country, blues, dance and more," festival director Pam Merrigan said.
“The international additions see an exclusive debut from Scottish duo Ross Couper and Tom Oakes, USA’s award-winning Kittle and Co. for their only east coast show and Japanese folk trio John John Festival returning to Australia after a very successful debut in 2017.”
Merrigan said she was excited about the incredible quality of Australian artists on offer.
From award-winning country singer Fanny Lumsden to bottleneck-slide guitarist Anna Scionti, Lloyd Spiegel (recently named one of Australia’s top guitarists of all time by Australian Guitar Magazine) and Shortis and Simpson, who will be premiering Happy Little Copyrights, a thought-provoking show about the art of song borrowing.
Redgum’s John Schumann, Goanna’s Shane Howard and the Red Rockin' Dirt Band will draw on the politically charged folk roots of the 70s and 80s.
There will also be 40 acts from the Canberra region, with East Row Rabble and the Black Mountain String Band heading the local acts.
Young emerging trio The Little Quirks say folk festivals are important for young people to experience.
“Folk is for all ages,” says 18-year-old guitarist and singer Abbey Toole.
“It’s one of the rawest and most real styles of music, where you can hear very personal stories you can relate to in songs.
“There’s just something different about folk that we know other young people will love if they give it a chance.”
Alongside the newly added acts, festival-goers can look forward to unforgettable sets from artists already announced, such as the inimitable Irish Mythen (Canada); a rare appearance by The Fagans, one of Australia's first and favourite folk families; Victoria’s Freya Hollick, Luke Plumb and Kate Burke; plus a very exciting new collaboration between the acclaimed Glenn Skuthorpe and Canadian First Nations artists on The Homelands Tour.
The National Folk Festival will also see Canada’s The Once and our own John Flanagan wrap up the ever-popular Festival of Small Halls Autumn regional tour.
With more than 750 shows throughout 20 venues over the five days, a kids’ festival, themed bars, food and market stalls, roving entertainment and an engaging, multi-disciplinary arts program, it’s easy to see why the National Folk Festival is the longest-running event of its kind, and Australia’s home and heart of folk.
The National Folk Festival is held over the Easter long weekend, April 18-22, at Exhibition Park in Canberra. Final release early-bird tickets are on sale now at folkfestival.org.au until midnight January 31.
