Performers
2022 Festival Lineup
We are excited to announce our headline acts for the 2022 Fleurieu Folk Festival - our 16th year! We have an incredible lineup for you this year as always. Book your discounted Earlybird discount tickets now!
Claymore (VIC)
Claymore are recognised as Australia’s premier Celtic band, having headlined in Australia’s most prominent folk events and toured internationally on many occasions; they have visited the USA, UK and Europe. A passionate band of multi-instrumentalists who not only manage to combine traditional elements of Celtic music by integrating the traditional into the modern day, they write beautiful original Celtic compositions, taking their blend of Celtic rock n rock into the 21st century!
Siobhan Owen (SA)
Welsh-born Siobhan Owen is what you get when you combine Celtic passion and classical training. With sublime vocals and lyrical harp, she delivers an ethereal blend of haunting melodies, ancient and new. Award-winning Siobhan is acclaimed internationally for her unique Celtic/classical voice. Siobhan has performed at festivals, concerts and events around Australia since the age of 14, as well as performing in the UK, Ireland, Europe, USA, Japan and Siberia! Having a passion for languages, Siobhan includes in her repertoire songs in Welsh, Irish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic, Breton, Cornish and Manx. A captivating performance not to be missed!
Toby Beard (WA)
Western Australia’s Toby is so much more than your average singer-songwriter. She powers through each live performance with her own lyrical talent and fierce, dynamic vocals, with audiences revelling in the genuine honesty of both her songwriting and her performance. Her compelling vocals and the way in which she captures her audience cannot be explained but just needs to be heard and seen. Her live performance truly is a treat.
The Royal High Jinx (VIC)
Dance. Virtuosity. Exhilaration. Melbourne’s mesmerising contemporary world music band, The Royal High Jinx, have burst onto Australian festival stages with originality, virtuosity, and theatricality. Their songs and tunes are inspired by European traditions, peppered with Gypsy Jazz, Latin, Balkan & Swing grooves with a pinch of Folk. Sing with and dance to Australia's most colourful high-energy band!
Totally Gourdgeous (VIC)
Formed in 1998, Australian band Totally Gourdgeous are four outrageously diverse singer/songwriter/musicians united under gourd. Indeed, playing instruments made from those woody cucurbits brings their music together to make folk funk philosophy to feed your wildest pumpkin longings. Punning Pathos. Heartfelt Hilarity. Messages of love, fellowship, and environmental sanity.
Adelaide Empire Band (SA)
"Steam-pumped English Trad Rollicking-Folk". The Adelaide Empire Band grew out of the Big English Session at the Fleurieu Folk Festival started in 2013. The AEB has a reputation as Adelaide's leading dance band.
Anna Smyrk (VIC)
With a voice described as ‘truly astonishing’ by Rolling Stone, Anna Smyrk is a powerful singer and song-maker from Melbourne. Her songs are anthemic indie-folk bombshells about long-distance love and far-flung places. She comes to Fleurieu fresh from North America, where she performed at Folk Alliance International and NXNE, toured across Eastern Canada and recorded a new record in Nashville.
Austral (VIC)
Austral will transport you into full festival party mode. They are a high-energy, four-piece Australian Celtic group combining didgeridoo, Irish pipes, high energy fiddling, journeying songs and energetic foot percussion. Whether you see them on stage or at the session afterward, Austral will get your festival going. HUP!
Bruce Watson (VIC)
Joyful, thought-provoking, totally engaging, Bruce Watson is an icon of the Australian folk music scene and a major songwriter and performer. He has toured internationally, won a swag of awards and had his songs covered by many other performers. Bruce’s music reflects life, ordinary people, social justice and the environment, often with a surprising twist and a quirky sense of humour. Not just another songwriter! “An Australian folk hero!” (The Boite). “The best songwriter I have seen in a long time.” (Eric Bogle)
Brushwood (SA)
Brushwood are an Adelaide based band who play a mix of lively tunes, with a mix of up-tempo songs and ballads who can be seen at many festivals around Australia and whose members will often be seen at sessions around South Australia.
Cajun Swamp Band (SA)
The Cajun Swamp Band is made up of, a lead Fiddle, a second Fiddle, a rhythm Guitar and a Bass Guitar. Cajun music is designed for dancing, so, has an infectious feel that will have your feet tapping out of control, then without you realizing it, you’re on the dance floor.
Cal Williams Jr (SA)
The 2021 Best South Australian Blues and Roots artist Cal Williams Jr combines the gentle fingerpicking of British Folk with the raw intensity of Delta Slide Blues to create a sound that is both intricate and powerful. Blues Blast Magazine, USA, said “Cal Williams Jr’s guitar work is impeccable under his gorgeous voice. A marvellous quilt of tones and textures from this masterful player” and Rhythms magazine said that “Cal’s gentle high tenor voice, delicate fingerpicking and snaky bottleneck fretwork evoke the sound of Mississippi John Hurt in his exceptional guitar playing”. In addition to the 2021 Best Blues and Roots Artist at the SA Music Awards, Cal has also won the ARBA Best Blues Soloist Award and was voted in the Top 3 Best Blues Guitarists for the Derringers Music Awards. Cal will be bringing his five-star sell-out Adelaide Fringe show ' A History of British Folk Guitar' to this year's Fleurieu Folk Festival.
Calder & Cohen in Conversation (NZ and SA)
Leonard Cohen & David Calder met at boarding school on a fateful day in 1960. David traded his E A & B7 for Leonard’s C F & G. David’s been trying to play a perfect F ever since; Leonard dodged chords to play dobro, and mouth harp. David took up mandolin, and the boyhood chums became founding members of the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band. Leonard jumped the Ditch for a South Australian life and kept playing bluegrass. David chased his music in Europe and the US, writing songs and TV soundtracks. He has made 400 folk music programmes for radio and podcast. Now, about 63 years since meeting, they combine to present a show of music and reminiscence, with some outrageous humour and song, It is a trans-Tasman tour de force, unmissable, unforgettable and a little unhinged.
The ChOOks (VIC)
Wendy Ealey & MoiraTyers are the ChOOks who are Melbourne based. These feisty birds pay wry homage to popular ballads but also belt out their own songs as they wend their way through the nightmare of galloping middle age and plain old ordinary life. But there’s nothing ordinary about this pairing of voices and musical spirits. You’ll cry till you laugh! Described as two profoundly multi-talented women they hail from the northern 'burbs of Melbourne and have been playing in various combinations for 10 years. They have their tuneful fingers in many musical pies (Unsung Heroes of Australian history project, Darebin Songwriters Guild, and they facilitate harmony and songwriting workshops). Presenting a generous serve of folk roots with a dash of country blues all piled up with a delicious dollop of intricate harmonies. Their compelling tunes blend socially conscious lyrics with down-to-earth folky, bluesy instrumentation – and a winning sense of humour.
Ciaram Granger (SA)
Ciaram Granger is a Blues Roots, and Folk performer from Adelaide, Australia. With his 12-string guitar, Weissenborn, harmonica, and stomp-box, Ciaram has been able to develop his own unique songwriting, storytelling, and rhythmic guitar grooves that have captivated audiences of all ages. His unique style of foot-stomping Blues and Folk has amazed audiences from all over the world. He began playing gigs at the age of 18 throughout the bars of Adelaide and has now performed over 2000+ shows across Canada, Germany, France, Belgium, the UK, Netherlands, New Zealand & Australia.
Craig Atkins (SA)
Craig Atkins is an award-winning Roots. Blues & Folk 'one-man band' Multi-Instrumentalist songwriter and performer who regularly tours the country with his set up consisting of various Acoustic Guitars, Lap Slide, Cigar Box Guitars, Didgeridoos, Harmonica and Foot Percussion. With influences such as Paul Kelly, Joe Purdy, Harry Manx, Xavier Rudd and numerous Blues Masters to name but a few, Craig's live performances weave through various styles from chilled finger-picking stories to delta slide blues, through to rollicking folk and stomping "DidgeriBlues and Roots", with lyrical content covering his aspects of life, love and loss and observations of the world we all live in.
Crocodile Country (NT)
Crocodile Country write & perform music from the NT and Australia’s Crocodile Coast … contemporary home-grown music with Bite! Our Croc originals include “Arafura Queen”, “Wurrji”, "Darwin Rubbish Warrior”, “Legend of Campbell the Swaggie”, “Darwin Town”, “Ballad of Old Ma Hawkes", “Katherine”, “Our NT”, “She’s Me Troopy”, “Build-Up Blues”, “Aussie Country Sweetheart”, “Women of Sensible Dimensions”, and “Jeannette Jennette”. Crocodile Country are Kevin McCarthy - vocals, guitar, Richard Grace - vocals, double bass, banjo, Lauris Hedenig - vocals, accordion, guitar, and Lou Elliott - vocals, fiddle
Crocodile Country's Infamous Territorian Collection (NT)
Songs written by Kevin McCarthy about interesting contemporary Territorians who have great stories attached to them. The songs include the "Darwin Rubbish Warrior", the "Ballad of Old Ma Hawkes", the "Legend of Campbell the Swaggie", the "Arafura Queen, "Jeannette",... etc.
Crooked Road (SA)
Bluegrass, folk, country, gospel-these influences all come out in Crooked Road's music. Think harmony-driven originals and country/bluegrass classics; sweet sour and savoury. Among SA's top instrumentalists on mandolin, fiddle, dobro and guitar, they look for opportunities to show off all the styles they know.
www.facebook.com/crookedroadinaustralia
Daniel J Townsend TAS)
Solo Folk Artist of the Year Finalist (AFMA 2021), Daniel J Townsend is a unique and respected story singer. The first songwriter in the world to release an album as a podcast, Townsend is best known as the creator of 2020’s Midland Highway: The Musical. In 2021 he debuted his innovative spoken word show, inspired by his work with at-risk young men. Described by RN as “incredible”, Daniel J Townsend has a head full of stories, a soul old enough to have lived them, and a heart young enough to believe in their power to move us. (Photograph by Joseph Barrows)
Dustbowl Chic (SA)
Renowned for their rollicking madness and big sound, Dustbowl Chic have been plying their unique brand of good fun, folk, rock and country across the Fleurieu for the last 7 years. As regulars on the Willunga Festival scene, this band has steadily built a following down south with their own take on folk-rock classics and newer tunes, as well as their own original music. Dustbowl Chic combine everything from acoustic guitars, ukes, fiddle, mandolins and banjos with harmonicas, brass, whistles and digeridoo to pull together a rich, inviting, infectious and raucous sound that gets the crowd smiling and feet tapping.
Folkstone Avenue (QLD)
Folkstone Avenue is one of the sweetest duos around. With their latest single, ‘How To Be Alone’ reaching over 10,000 streams on Spotify, they have kicked off into the folk music scene with great force. Formed after an impromptu songwriting session, singer-songwriters Maisy Taylor and Madeleine McCaw fuse their love of storytelling and harmony-rich vocals to capture a timeless sound of folky goodness.
Glen and Bernie (SA)
Glen and Bernie are local musicians who play regularly at wineries and open mics. They play a variety of genres including folk, pop and country but with a keen interest in the blues. Glen, as a songwriter, has written clever songs in most genres and weaves those originals around more familiar tunes in any given set. Bernie, an amazing harmonica player, supports and solos. Together they are an entertaining pair bound to get you singing and dancing!
Great Aunt (VIC)
Raw and austere, simple and bold; full of stomping feet and clapping hands, chants and harmonies, whispered words and soulful lament - that’s the music of Great Aunt. Listen, and you'll hear tales of joy and grief, whiskey and wine, gratitude and purpose-seeking.
HUT (SA)
HUT has performed for appreciative audiences at clubs around Southern Adelaide with a style of Music that could be described as a broad range of Folky-Blues. They are a like-minded group of people who love making music together and bonding over a cup of tea or two. The band started in 2012, slowly evolving into the current line-up.
If you’re curious; the Band-Name came from a building on Geoff Byham’s property.
Isadora's Dream (SA)
Isadora’s Dream are a 4 piece, piano-driven Art Pop/Rock band from Adelaide, offering up a sophisticated fusing of musical genres of rock, folk and dream pop. Isadora’s Dream will surround you with atmospheric and soulful guitars, beats with shifting time signatures and Piano driven echoes reminiscent of Kate Bush, along with the curious intricacies of David Bowie. Capturing emotive lyrics, romance and the drama of nature, Isadora’s Dream invites you to feel…and maybe even to be changed!
Jen Lush (SA)
Adelaide singer-songwriter Jen Lush is known for her spacious, emotive vocals, passionate performances and soaring, starkly modern folk songs that hammer on your heart. Straddling the worlds of poetry, art and experimental folk-rock soundscapes, Jen and her stellar band (Paul Angas, Sam Cagney, James Brown and Mark Seddon) have performed at festivals and venues throughout SA, Victoria, NSW, WA and Tasmania. Her new album 'Let Loose The Beating Birds' carries the listener into the small moments of motherhood and suburban life, whilst examining the broader environmental and political landscape of our current times. "an enchanting, otherworldly experience for listeners." Beat Magazine
Jeri Foreman (Scotland)
Jeri Foreman, originally from Adelaide, now makes her living playing traditional music in Scotland. Fascinated by finding similarities and differences in fiddle traditions, she spent eight months travelling and learning about different musical styles, before settling in Glasgow several years ago. She now performs all over the world, with a wide variety of acts, across several genres. Performing with Josh Bennett, an internationally renowned musician who takes the notion of multi-genre multi-instrumentalist to an absurdly high level, this will be a collaboration drawing on many years of friendship, experience and miles travelled that has not been seen by South Australian audiences for about a decade.
Jimmy O’Hare (VIC)
Jimmy’s eye-catching technique of guitar playing has the potential to draw you in and not let you go. A combination of virtuosity and emotion results in a performance not easily forgotten. Jimmy explores the guitar’s melodic, harmonic and percussive capabilities, often all at once in his original compositions. Jimmy was the winner of the 2017 Queenscliff Music Festival 'Foot in the Door' Blues & Roots Competition. Performing at the Melbourne Guitar Perspective Concert Series, Melbourne Guitar Festival, National Celtic Festival and ABC Breakfast News TV have all seen him grow his reputation as one of Australia’s most exciting young guitarists.
Kate Battersby (SA)
Is country downshifting all it’s cracked up to be? A veteran of festival, concert and broadcast stages, multi-awarded songsmith and secret* Grass Roots tragic, Kate returns to the fray with City Girl Gone Bush, a themed concert and companion EP featuring a bunch of powerful new songs inspired by a decade of rural life in Outback Australia. The only certainty is that nothing turns out quite as expected. This bird's eye view is a little bit folk, a little bit bluegrass and a little bit left of country. Kate's unique way with words gives it that special extra twist.
Kelly's Wayke (SA)
Kelly's Wayke was actually born at an Irish wake for Mick Murphy, brother of band member Brian Murphy and family friend of the Kelly's. So when the Kellys' and the Murphys got together for Mick's wake, all the old Irish songs our parents had taught us when we were growing up were played to celebrate Mick's life. We were playing for 6 to 7 hours at the back room of the pub when the publican came into the room, we thought he was going to kick us out for making too much noise, but he said, "no, we turned off the jukeboxes hours ago, we've been listening to you guys all night". A quick phone call from Damien to Brian and Paddy the next day and Kelly's Wayke was born, and we celebrate love, life and all in between!
Lisnacrieve Trio (VIC)
Friends and musical colleagues of the legendary box player Paddy Fitzgerald, the trio have played with Paddy for many years, including on his album “From Clare to Here “. Sadly, Paddy’s health has declined this year, but with his encouragement, the group will continue to share his stirring Clare music with audiences. Jack Brennan (pipes), Ewen Baker (fiddle) and Geoff McArthur (guitar) are Lisnacrieve.
Mal Webb & Kylie Morrigan (VIC)
Vocal adventurer, multi-instrumentist and looping beatboxing songwriter Mal sing his brain-provoking songs using all sorts of vocal techniques, guitar, mbira, slide trumpet, trombone, chromatic harmonica and a loop recording pedal called Derek. And Kylie (who's played with Orchestra Victoria and the likes of Stevie Wonder and Barry White!) provides violin and voice in a perfect balance to Mal's nuttiness. Their arrangements are intricate and playful. Imagine Einstein, Dr Seuss and Paganini making pancakes. Ebulliently eclectic. Nefariously varied. Family fun free from facile frippery. And they won't repeat a song all festival!
Meanwhile Back at the Ranch (SA)
Meanwhile Back at the Ranch is an Adelaide-based Western Swing band consisting of singer and stage-raconteur Ted Keeley, fiddle player Ashley Turner, guitarists Wilson Main and George Grifsas, Belinda Kendall-Smith playing double bass, and Craig Lauritsen on drums. Western Swing is a rich stew of musical styles and is a precursor to rock and roll, reaching its zenith in the 1940s with the great Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys. Predominantly 1930’s dance music, it is foot-tapping string band jazz, played with fiddles, guitars, bass and drums. In it, you can hear Hillbilly Boogie, Swing, Gypsy Jazz, Country, Old-time fiddle tunes, and blues.
The River Pearlers (SA)
The River Pearlers are Henk Groot, Ashley Turner, Tony Schick and Tim Bailey. As individuals, they are well-known to the Australian folk music community, performing previously in various configurations. Henk’s songwriting, vocals and musicianship are supported beautifully by Tony’s upright bass and Ashley’s magnificent fiddle playing. Tim Bailey recently joined the band and brings his banjo, guitar and much more to the line-up.
Paula Standing (SA)
After spending a number of years producing original recordings, Paula Standing was introduced to producer Rod McCormack. Together, they produced Standing’s watershed album, The More I Give. Collaborating with McCormack, Lou Bradley, Gina Jeffreys and several other Central Coast Songwriters, a collection of ten songs formed a rock-solid base for a new direction. Lauded by a number of reviewers, this album spent many weeks on air with Country and Americana radio stations across the USA and, as a result, in the Roots Music Charts. Off the back of this album, Standing has spent much of the pandemic writing new material using this new style. Working with local musicians, Standing has been honing the new songs and airing them at different events around SA.
Sadie Mustoe (VIC)
Sadie Mustoe is a singer-songwriter from Melbourne who has grown up in the folk music world, performing at music festivals since the age of 9. Now 18, she is finding her true voice both in sound and storytelling. Accompanied by her guitar, ukulele and keyboard, her striking voice takes you on a musical journey through an evocative and colourful world. As the winner of multiple awards for songwriting and performance, Sadie has released one album, an EP and lots of singles! Sadie was voted Runner Up ‘Youth Folk Artist of the Year’ at the 2021 Folk Alliance Awards.
Saije (NSW)
Saije is an award-winning, contemporary-folk duo whose soulful harmonies, dynamic guitar-lines and percussive breakdowns breathe life into heartfelt stories. Their songwriting is crafted from the depths, stirring melodies bound together with graceful lyricism. They have carried their music throughout Australia and Canada, with unifying, sold-out performances and a warmth that fills small halls and overflows from large festival stages.
Saltwater Taffy (SA)
Front porch songs in the Americana tradition, the music that migrated from the British Isles up into the mountains of Appalachia and came back down again. A salty sweet tang of four-part harmony with more than a touch of Old-Timey string band. Saltwater Taffy takes you on a melodic ride across the salty seas to the hills and cotton fields, from civil wars to lost loves.
Saoirse (VIC)
Saoirse are an award winning band who have been entertaining audiences throughout Australia and beyond. Their delightful vocal harmonies and highly polished musical performances are world-class! With heart-wrenching ballads both traditional and originals sung in English and Irish (Gaeilge) and toe-tapping jig reels and polkas. In the wise words of Mr Eric Bogle “In an area of music that tends to have more than its fair share of pretenders to the throne, Saoirse are the real deal.”
Sarah and Silas (VIC)
Festival sweethearts Sarah and Silas play folk/roots music. Their love, skill and connection shine through exciting duelling fiddles and sweet vocal harmonies which dance to the strum of a ukulele and the stomp of a drum. Over the course of the pandemic, this duo kept the spirits of Australians high by writing catchy, uplifting songs defining the times. Their song 'Lockdown' hit number 3 on the AMRAP Metro charts in 2021. As seen in The Royal High Jinx and The Bushwackers, launching their brand new album ’Gold Standard,’ don't miss them at this year's festival.
Sevenfold (SA)
Sevenfold are a fusion of rock, folk plus rhythm & blues, blending harmonies, strings, drums and guitars, playing a mixture of original songs and covers. Influences Emmy Lou Harris, My Friend the Chocolate Cake and Juniper.
Snez (NSW)
The music of mid-north coast artist, SNEZ, embodies the art of songwriting in its most personal and universal forms. This enchanting songstress has a forte for describing the experiences of everyday life in a way that resonates with people. Coming from a Macedonian working-class family, where stories about hardship, romance and work ethic have been passed down through generations, Snez subtly weaves these influences into her own stories and songs, featuring traditional Macedonian songs from her parents’ mother country. Featuring Snez on vocals, acoustic guitar and bouzouki.
Spiral Dance (SA)
Multi-award-winning group Spiral Dance has been playing exciting, high-energy music to enthusiastic audiences throughout Australia and beyond for two decades. With a combination of haunting vocals, intoxicating guitar riffs and groovy accordion lines, underpinned with potent bass and dynamic percussion, the band presents an eclectic blend of traditional folk-rock with powerful self-penned songs and tunes. Rousing melodies intertwine with mythical tales that will spirit you into the realms of magick and the mists of ancient time - music that will rock your ancestors!
Dance, Theatre and Children's Entertainment
Adelaide Morris Men (SA)
Performing traditional English dances from the Cotswold region, the Adelaide Morris Men have been entertaining and astounding local and international audiences for over 40 years. We danced throughout 2020 and 2021, and for several months in 2020, we were the best Morris side in the world; admittedly, we were the only active Morris dancing sides in the world. The Adelaide Morris Men return to the Fleurieu Folk Festival to amaze and astonish. Once again, proving that where there is merriment to be had, the AMM will be there with bells on (literally)!
Hot For Joe – Border Morris (SA)
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' which consists of black tunic dresses, black and white striped leggings and black 'Doc Marten' type boots with bells on the feet. We look forward to performing for you at this fantastic festival. Come and try Border Morris Dancing.
Lancashire Witches North West Morris Adelaide (SA)
The Lancashire Witches perform dances based on the ancient form of English dance known as Morris dancing. ‘Lancashire witches’ is a folkloric traditional name associated with the northwest region of England. Our musicians play a variety of instruments typical of the street musician or village band. The ‘Witches’ dances originated in the heart of industrial north-west England, dominated by cotton mills in the 18th century. Our dances are colourful, spirited and energetic, using the rhythm of wooden-soled clogs and a variety of weapons: hankies, garlands of flowers, sticks, or ‘twiddlers’ made from bobbins from the cotton mills.
Amazing Drumming Monkeys (SA)
Australia’s favourite family puppet show! The Amazing Drumming Monkeys have been delighting audiences around Australia and internationally for the past 18 years. A unique combination of puppetry, comedy, live music, and heart-warming themes, resulting in a fun-filled interactive show.
Wined Up Theatre Inc. (SA)
Steampunk original musical set in a Victorian England music hall. In the streets, the Ripper roams, but in the music hall, the show goes on.