2026 Performers

Austral (VIC)

Australian Celtic Trad

Multi-award winners at the Australian Folk Music Awards (AFMAs), Austral are a fully-charged, four-piece Australian tunes band combining didgeridoo, Irish pipes, high energy fiddling, journeying songs and energetic foot percussion. Based in Melbourne, they are multi-instrumental powerhouses Angus Barbary, Caity Brennan, Rhys Crimmin and Connor Hoy. Their music is infectiously danceable and you may find it hard to resist the urge to get up and join the dance party yourself. Austral are creating energetic new music from Celtic roots (and branches) to great acclaim at festivals at home and abroad and are a world class band not to be missed.

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The Bushwackers (NSW)

Australiana / Celtic / Folk / Bush

The Bushwackers, formed in 1971, are Australia's beloved folk and country band. Fresh from their sensational appearance on The Voice Australia, The Bushwackers, led by the dynamic Dobe Newton and Roger Corbett, has become synonymous with the heart and soul of Australian music. With songs drawn from the shearing sheds in the bush and original songs such as I Am Australian and Beneath The Southern Cross to Friend For Life and Another Trip to Bunnings, their foot-stomping tunes and heartfelt lyrics have united generations, celebrating Australia’s cultural heritage. 

And festival favourites Sarah & Silas will be performing with the Bushwackers!

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Edwina Hayes (UK)

Folk

Edwina Hayes numbers Michael Parkinson and Nanci Griffith among her fans. Her beautifully written songs, charming stage presence and voice of an angel have won her a reputation as a true natural talent. She has opened numerous shows for Jools Holland and Van Morrison and the title track of her album Pour Me A Drink was covered by Nanci Griffith who calls her The sweetest voice in England. Dividing her time between the UK and America, Edwina's second home is Nashville where she is much loved as a songwriter and artist.

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Tuck Shop Ladies (VIC)

Comedy Folk

Armed with a pair of ukuleles and razor-sharp wit, the Tuck Shop Ladies turn life’s everyday absurdities into hilarious, harmonious songs. After multiple sold-out seasons at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and two People’s Choice Award nominations, the Tuck Shop Ladies have become beloved fixtures at folk, comedy, and fringe festivals alike. Their live show is an uplifting ride through spontaneity and connection — part concert, part confessional, and entirely joyful. Expect laughter. Expect harmonies. Expect to leave feeling like you want to run away with the band.

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Those Folk (USA / QLD)

Americana

Charismatic, authentic and thoroughly entertaining, Lawrence Menard (USA) and Clare Quinn (AUS) are the transpacific-troubadours known as Those Folk. Since meeting in Scotland in 2012, they have travelled extensively together and are now based on the Sunshine Coast.  A partnership forged in the fires of folk music, their songwriting explores love, hope, belonging, and the human condition. Breathtaking vocal harmonies are featured alongside rich instrumental work performed on guitar, accordion, mandolin and banjo.  2024 saw the band release their Life Inside a Box album, tour the UK, and perform headline town hall concerts across the east coast of Australia. Recent performance highlights include Woodford Folk Festival, Blue Mountains Music Festival, Yackandandah Folk Festival, Cobargo Folk Festival, and Townsville Folk Festival. Their sound is inspired by iconic duos such as Simon & Garfunkel. Those Folk make not just folk music, but music for all sorts of folk.

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Adelaide Empire Band (SA)

Traditional English Dance 

Experience the rich brass sound and inspiring performances of Adelaide Empire Band. From stirring concert pieces to crowd-pleasing favourites, the band delivers memorable entertainment for audiences of all ages. With a proud tradition of musical excellence and community engagement, Adelaide Empire Band brings passion, professionalism, and energy to every performance.

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Adelaide Morris (SA)

Traditional English Dance 

The Adelaide Morris has been dancing the streets, parks, pubs, and stages of Adelaide since 1979. They are South Australia's premier Morris dancing side, affiliated with both the Australian Morris Ring and the English Morris Ring.  Adelaide Morrise dance in the Cotswold tradition, the iconic style of the English Midlands. Their dances draw from a range of village traditions including Bledington, Adderbury, Headington, Badby, and more.  Whether they are dancing at a pub, a festival, or a village green, they bring colour, energy, and tradition to every performance.

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Chris Finnen (SA)

Folk /  Blues / Jazz / World 

One of South Australia's gemstones of musicianship,  Chris Finnen shows how to be authentic and make it your own, a mature musician of some years, Chris still plays with the wonder and explorative sense of a child as he coaxes a range of sounds and tones from his guitars. Final word ELECTRIFYING.  Over four decades travelling as a troubadour journey man has seen Chris Finnen often referred to as the guitarist's guitarist. Chris brings a wry twist to his original blues song writing, adding sly humour to lyrics, focusing on the musing of everyday experiences, and embracing a strong sense of community. His restless musical curiosity has seen him embrace a tapestry of varied cultural influences, weaving the sounds of India, Celtic traditions, and African nations into his music. This has resulted in a career rich in variety and encompassing diverse opportunities from film scores, theatrical productions and musical therapy.

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The Drongo and the Crow (VIC)

Australian Settler Traditional 

The Drongo and the Crow are salvaging the lost songs of early white-settlement Australia.  They deliver a high-energy musical tour through the seedy underbelly of the convict towns and along the rivers, roads and rails that reached deeper into Australia. Voices mellowed by Vegemite and cheap rum blend with accordion, drums, bass, violin, mandolin and autoharp to bring new life to old songs.  You'll sing, you'll laugh, you'll learn a little.  You might even try a bit of interpretive dance.

* Historical accuracy not guaranteed and subject to change without notice

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Ciaram Granger (SA)

Folk / Blues / Roots

Ciaram Granger is a powerhouse of Blues, Roots, and Folk. Known for a raw, foot-stomping sound, he blends percussive 12-string guitar, Weissenborn lap slide, and harmonica into a captivating live experience. Since starting at 18, Granger has performed over 3,000 shows globally, spanning Australia, Europe, and North America. His 2013 debut album sold 5,000+ copies, earning him a showcase at Canadian Music Week and a grand finalist spot in the Telstra Road to Discovery. Having shared stages with icons like Tony Joe White and Ash Grunwald, Granger remains a definitive voice in the independent roots scene.

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Dustbowl Chic (SA)

Folk / Country / Blues

Dustbowl Chic have been bringing their unique blend of folk, blues and country music to local audiences for over a decade. Their joyous shows are famous for their rustic blend of brass and banjos; didgeridoos and dobros; and harmonicas and harmonies as well. Known well for the porch stomping, pew shaking, barn rattling live performances across the Peninsula, this crew loves a laugh and having fun. This year, Dustbowl brings their new live show Dustbowl does Dylan - celebrating and sharing their favorite Bob Dylan tunes, showcasing the incredible Dylan canon in the Dustbowl way. 

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Felicity Dowd (NSW)

Folk / Country / Americana

A modern-day troubadour and storyteller, Felicity Dowd, is Australia’s most captivating emerging singer-songwriter! 2026 Golden Guitar Award Nominee, two-time Toyota Starmaker Grand Finalist, Youth Artist of the Year at the 2023 Australian Folk Music Awards  and fresh off her 2025 AMERICANAFEST (USA) debut, Felicity is making waves throughout the Folk and Americana music scenes! She has become renowned for her award-winning songwriting, meaningful performances and incredible musicality. Having wowed audiences from main stages at Australia’s most prestigious festivals such as the National Folk Festival, Woodford Folk Festival and Port Fairy Folk Festival to support slots with music royalty, Felicity is a must-see artist!

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Grand Baxter (VIC)

Folk Rock

Melbourne’s Grand Baxter makes playful, guitar-driven folk rock. Built on driving rhythms, earworm melodies and careful lyricism, their sound sits at the crossroads of folk, rock and country, moving with warmth, humour and heart.  At its core, Grand Baxter grew out of the friendship between songwriter Ben Langdon and guitarist Jack Wieseler; one from suburban Melbourne, the other from rural Queensland,  brought together by a shared love of rock and country music. That balance of backgrounds shapes the band’s songs, blending intimacy with energy and reflection with momentum.

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Hold the Line presents Songs of Struggle Songs of Hope (SA)

Folk - historical and contemporary political songs

There is a very long and proud tradition of music which has chronicled political struggle throughout the ages.  Hold the Line believes that now more than ever, it is important to come together in a spirit of community and solidarity to celebrate this proud tradition. In 2024 the group performed at the Fleurieu Folk Festival, with a concert that was warmly received, and in 2026 the band members will present a collection of different songs to uplift and inspire you. 

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Hot For Joe – Border Morris  (SA)

Morris Dance

Hot For Joe is an Adelaide-based women's border Morris team formed in 1993 by Mary McFadden. The team has developed a highly styled, truly unique form of Morris dancing, which essentially emphasises the importance of precise and energetic dancing while at the same time presenting a mysterious, wild and dramatic performance. The dance repertoire has been choreographed within the team, and some of the tunes used are also originals. When performing in public, Hot For Joe wear a kit that consists of black tunic dresses, black and white striped leggings and black Doc Marten type boots with bells on the feet. 

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Jen Lush & The Field (SA)

Folk / Art-Rock

Jen Lush is an acclaimed singer-songwriter from Adelaide, crafting music that is dynamic, intimate, and beautifully adventurous. Drawing inspiration from artists like Feist and Anaïs Mitchell, her work blends tender folk with evocative, experimental rock with storytelling at the centre.  Jen Lush is a voice of fierce tenderness, weaving poetry and sound into luminous, untamed songs.  Performing with her band The Field (James Brown, Paul Angas, Sam Cagney, Mark Seddon), Jen has toured widely across Australia, bringing to life songs that explore landscape, poetry, and the human experience with emotional depth and striking honesty.

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Joshua Batten (VIC)

Roots Rock

Melbourne-based Roots Rocker Joshua Batten is a genuine performer, with a rare ability to truly connect with his audience. With passionate vocals, accomplished guitar playing, layered arrangements and inspirational lyrics, Joshua displays a depth well beyond his years. Based on his insights living with neurodiversity, his songs offer authentic reflections of introspective moments, presented as universally relatable experiences.  With over ten years’ experience as a full-time musician, Joshua has recorded and released three studio albums, each garnering great acclaim. His live shows have resonated with audiences and garnered him a dedicated following, with extensive appearances at festivals across Australia. 

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The Lowland Rogues (SA)

Folk Rock

The Lowland Rogues will take you on a trip back to the 70s when British Folk Rock took the country by storm!  You may well remember Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span, The Albion Band, Lindisfarne, The Oysterband and more, but if not, then you’re in for a treat. They were groundbreaking days for a genre that had not previously existed. Old and ancient songs were remodelled and dragged into a rock context and thrust onto an unsuspecting audience. And they loved it! Rollocking, toe tapping stuff!  If it wasn’t for them, Folk Rock today may not even be a thing! In fact, it even kicked off a full on folk revival that still reverberates today;  it even influenced the likes of Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull and more. A retro sound and that will be fun!

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Luke Robinson (NSW)

Contemporary Australian Political Folk and Spoken Word

With a rich bass voice and carefully crafted lyrics balancing humour and pathos, Luke's songs and poems range from our First Peoples to refugees, larrikins to mongrels, military misadventures to the war on drugs, billionaires, battlers, fracking, farming, coal, climate change and other themes of Australian life and politics. He has performed at folk festivals and public events across the country - don't miss this powerful voice for a better Australia.  As folk music legend Pete Seeger once said, “A good song reminds us what we’re fighting for”.

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Nick Vulture (SA)

Folk

After 18 years in the Australian garage punk scene, Nick is now an established solo singer-songwriter, folk musician. Nick continues to create an energy that connects with his audience in a way that is honest and that can only come from a real, and often familiar, place. He completely captivates the listener by grounding the words and the music in stories they will feel were written just for them. Nick's first two LPs, Dust Off the Trails and After the Storm both made national and local charts in Australia and were critically acclaimed by numerous Australian and international reviews. Nick has played major music festivals in Australia, as well as the best venues in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Hobart, Perth, Sunshine Coast and Cairns. He also played at the Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City (2023) and toured the UK and Japan twice (2023 and 2025).

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One Part Gin (VIC)

Dark Folk / Country

Hailing from from regional Victoria, One Part Gin's unique approach to songwriting blends beautiful harmonies with dark, twisted tales. Described as pioneer music, their style references bleak landscapes and bleaker themes. Dark, gritty, and soaked in sorrow, their music pulls listeners into black waters where love clings like seaweed around your ankles. But don’t let the darkness fool you; underneath, there stirs a salty current of hope.  Follow Sam and Holly into the shadows where love prevails, no matter the cost.

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Paul Reynolds & Friends (SA)
His Master's Voice - The songs of Richard Thompson

Folk

Richard Thompson is one of the most revered and respected songwriters performers on the international folk circuit today and his musical influence cannot be overstated. In the 1960s he cofounded the groundbreaking group Fairport Convention, After leaving the group he created a decade long iconic musical partnership with his then wife Linda. Now a highly successful solo artist for over 30 years and is regarded as one of the most distinctive virtuosos and writers in Folk Rock history.

Join Paul Reynolds and Friends and take a deep dive into Thompsons extensive back catalogue ranging from the 1960s to the present day.

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Pining for the Fjords and the Scruffy Scandi Band (NSW)

Scandinavian Comedy Folk Music

Pining for the Fjords is a comedy folk Scandinavian music group. Mamma Troll cusses like an ornery Finnish ogre, Sven Troll warps a polska on his fiddle so well it makes the devil sprout hairs, and Isbjörn troll jazz-chords up the guitar fretboard to dizzying heights. With the Scruffy Scandi Band, they placed second in the 2025 National Folk Festival Infinite Song competition. Together, they weave a journey of odd rhythms and jaw-clenching harmonies, raring to bring you a fun time with concerts, workshops, sessions to learn tunes, drinking songs, and six ways to say you're drunk in Finnish.

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The Rowdies (SA)

Americana

The Rowdies are a collaboration between the Reverend and Mrs Rowdy and some superb Australian singer-songwriters and musicians, creating an Americana style sound. The Whisky Communion is a country music themed communion of minds and hearts. The Rowdies blend old and new (original) Americana country tunes with fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar, and three-part harmonies into a spirited, cheeky, unforgettable Sunday music ritual.

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Sally's Ukulele (VIC)

Folk 

Sally’s Carter brings warmth, charm, and a love of music to every performance. Blending familiar tunes with a relaxed and engaging style, Sally creates an atmosphere that audiences of all ages enjoy. Her ukulele playing showcases the instrument’s versatility, from upbeat sing-alongs to gentle melodic favourites. Genres performed include Celtic, jazz favourites, pop hits, ragtime, originals, gypsy jazz, bluegrass, country and oldtime. No stone is left unturned, and more is to be added to the list as time goes by!

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The Sweet Sorrows (VIC)

Celtic / Roots Folk

Old-school troubadours, Irish songwriters, storytellers, captivating performers, The Sweet Sorrows come armed with songs about justice, peace, humour, community, history and love.  Based in County Wexford, Ireland, they are veteran Irish singer-songwriter Sammy Horner and (Irish/Aussie) wife Kylie. Their harmonies and humour delight audiences around the globe. Sammy's guitar and bodhran is matched by Kylie's whistles, accordion and melodica.  A show with The Sweet Sorrows always promises to be highly entertaining, provocative and moving. Their intimacy, transparency and strength of passion on stage has won them many fans.

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Sophia Whitney (VIC)

Folk

Sophia Whitney’s music lives on a spectrum between introspection and expression, weaving sound and imagery that finds solace in space. Balancing immense yet subtle soulful pop with poetic alt-country, she evokes artists like Angel Olsen and Gillian Welch.  Her songs carry texture, warmth, and emotional depth, provoking powerful feelings of personal nostalgia. Whitney has performed at the Port Fairy Folk Festival and shared stages with Gena Rose Bruce, Kee’ahn, Emma Donovan, The Pretty Littles, and Ella Hooper. Her work captures lived experience with rare clarity, inviting listeners into moments that feel intimate, expansive, and deeply human.

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 Spiral Dance (SA)

Folk

As powerful as any equinox and as magical as any inspired ritual, Spiral Dance offers up rich vocals, delicate melodies and rousing jams all invoking the pagan world at the dawning of its rebirth. Spiral Dance plays high energy pagan folk rock that combines an eclectic blend of powerful self-penned songs and tunes. Spiral Dance are the song catchers of Magick, myth and legend.  The band was formed in 1992 as a project to explore some of the more mystical elements in life and has drawn its energy from the song-writing and vocal skills of Adrienne Piggott. Adrienne’s haunting lyrics and Paul’s innovative accordion tunes are carefully arranged to blend acoustic folk- rock with lush Celtic harmony, creating an almost tangible musical aura that envelopes the audience.

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Those Folk (USA / QLD)

Americana

Charismatic, authentic and thoroughly entertaining, Lawrence Menard (USA) and Clare Quinn (AUS) are the transpacific-troubadours known as Those Folk. Since meeting in Scotland in 2012, they have travelled extensively together and are now based on the Sunshine Coast.  A partnership forged in the fires of folk music, their songwriting explores love, hope, belonging, and the human condition. Breathtaking vocal harmonies are featured alongside rich instrumental work performed on guitar, accordion, mandolin and banjo.  2024 saw the band release their Life Inside a Box album, tour the UK, and perform headline town hall concerts across the east coast of Australia. Recent performance highlights include Woodford Folk Festival, Blue Mountains Music Festival, Yackandandah Folk Festival, Cobargo Folk Festival, and Townsville Folk Festival. Their sound is inspired by iconic duos such as Simon & Garfunkel. Those Folk make not just folk music, but music for all sorts of folk.

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Tim Moore and the Southern Wild (SA)

Folk

Tim Moore writes songs for people who feel deeply and listen closely. Drawing on big skies and inner worlds, his music blends raw honesty with an authentic sense of wonder. Alongside multi-award-winning fiddler and vocalist Emma Luker, his songs are lifted by glowing harmonies and soaring stringlines that invite audiences to lean in, sing out, and feel seen.  Every performance is shaped by the room itself, welcoming shared moments, improvised edges and the wild magic that happens when strangers sing together. Tim’s music speaks to community, mental health, connection and the courage it takes to be fully alive.

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Timlins Green (SA)

Celtic Rock

Timlins Green is a ‘not your average irish band’ who took its name from Edward Timlin, grandfather of vocalist Harry, who along with his ancestors grew up in county Tyrone northern Ireland.   

This is Irish music like you have never heard before. We take trad and give it a kick.

High energy, audience participation, driving violin, drum and guitar rhythms, a few fables along the way, this is music that moves you from the inside and you don't even know it.

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Trav Collins (SA)

Folk / Australiana / Roots / Pop

Trav Collins is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who also plays the didgeridoo,  harmonica and foot percussion to create a unique and expansive solo sound. His lyrics and stories are from experiences in his life both beautiful and heartbreaking. His vocals reflect tones of sincerity and truth in every word.

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The Whisky Shanty Club (SA)

Sea shanty session

Sea shanty singing in pubs and bars has taken Australia by storm in the last few years, ever since the sea-themed song Wellerman hit TikTok and was mistaken for a shanty! The Whisky Bar Shanty Club meets monthly and also takes sessions to festival bars so that more people can discover the joy of the shanty and songs of the sea. Come along and join in - shanty singing is community involvement at its very best. No experience necessary – the Shantarians will teach you the refrains and you’ll be hooked! 

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 Willunga Ukuleles (SA)

Folk

Catch the infectious energy of Willunga Ukuleles live at the festival! This talented bunch of South Australian performers delivers feel-good ukulele vibes that light up any stage with joy, harmony, and crowd-pleasing sing-alongs. From upbeat classics to fun originals, their lively performances blend skill, humour, and pure musical celebration;  perfect for getting the whole audience strumming along.

Don’t miss Willunga Ukuleles as they bring their signature “We Strum for Fun” spirit to the festival, creating unforgettable moments of community and musical magic for everyone!

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