Performers

2019 Performers

Felicity Urqhart (NSW)

Felicity Urquhart has long been one of the best-loved and most decorated singer-songwriters in Australian song. In a career encompassing six studio albums, two EPs, and countless sold-out headlining shows and capacity festival appearances, Felicity Urquhart has netted eight Golden Guitars, an ARIA Award nomination for Best Country Album, four CMAA Australian CM Achiever Awards, and a Centenary Medal for her “service to Australian society through country music”. A 2001 inductee into the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame’s Hands of Fame, Urquhart has been named Best Country Artist at the Musicoz Awards, received the American Country Music Association (CMA) International Country Broadcaster Award, been awarded an Australian Country Music Listener’s (ACML) People’s Choice Award, and taken home two APRA-AMCOS Australian Independent Country Music Single of the Year Awards.

Felicity has opened for Willie Nelson and the late, great Waylon Jennings, supported John Mellencamp and Sheryl Crow and toured with the iconic Kenny Rogers. She’s performed for an American president and shared a stage with the gamut of local country luminaries from Gina Jeffreys to Adam Harvey.

Round Mountain Girls (NSW)

A night out with Round Mountain Girls is like a good night in with your partner. They'll leave you hot and sweaty, exhausted but exhilarated, sonically bruised, maybe even a little tender, and yet you'll still end up begging for more. From humble beginnings in a shed atop an isolated outcrop in northern NSW to gracing the stages of Australia’s biggest festivals, the phenomenon of the Round Mountain Girls has etched itself into the ‘strange but true’ annals of Australian music. They’ve carved out a reputation as one of the country’s most thrilling live acts, with their infectious, catchy songs and alternative Celtic-country blend of folk-roots music. RMG are arguably one of Australia’s best underground live acts.

The Royal High Jinx (VIC)

Back by popular demand, Australia's mesmerising contemporary world music band The Royal High Jinx return to Fleurieu Folk Festival with their highly acclaimed celebration of music. The Royal High Jinx have burst onto festival stages with originality virtuosity and theatricality. Their songs and tunes are inspired by European traditions peppered with Gypsy Jazz, Latin, Balkan & Electro-Swing grooves with a pinch of Folk. In 2018 TRHJ excited and ignited European audiences on their “Gone Gone Gone” Germany Tour. Sing along with and dance to Australia's most colourful band!

Ballpoint Penguins (WA)

The Ballpoint Penguins look smart but sound funny, and this is your last chance to see them live. They become extinct in 2020, but we’ve lured them back to Fleurieu Folk Festival so you can catch them at the top of their game. Originals, parodies and classic covers of comic and novelty songs delivered in delightful harmony. Wit and wordcraft with Penguin style.

Saoirse (VIC)

Saoirse are a Melbourne-based Celtic Folk band with a great reputation as world-class entertainers. With soaring vocal harmonies and masterful musicianship, they are a band to be reckoned with!Since coming together in 2006, Saoirse have firmly established themselves as one of Australia's leading Celtic/Folk bands. Saoirse have appeared at many festivals and events across Australia and actively engaged with the Irish community helping with fundraising and support. They have had many highlights so far in their musical journey.

Khristian Mizzi (VIC)

With a warm, lilting voice and an art for weaving beauty and truth into the words of each song, Khristian Mizzi reaches the hearts of his audiences. His performances have been described as being 'captivating', leaving listeners feeling lighter and more serene than when they came in. Poetic lyrics, meandering melodies and a voice like a big warm hug along with a unique picking style, Khristian Mizzi really is a complete artist and is becoming renowned for his intimate performances and thoughtful songs.

The Grubby Urchins (VIC)

On the nebulous intersection of trad jazz, sea shanty and good ol’ fashioned folk sit The Grubby Urchins, a duo of happy-go-lucky young Melburnians with dirty feet, useless degrees and a penchant for the eclectically bizarre. Armed with heady harmonies and intrepid instrumentals, the Urchins wage their reckless stylistic war on songs old and new, leaving audiences grinning in politeness and confusion and wondering where the youth of today went wrong.

Fred Smith (ACT)

Fred Smith blends tunes you can whistle with stories you will remember. His songs are subtle, wry and perceptive. His remarkable hybrid career is the subject of an Australian Story documentary and he is the subject of the film ‘Bougainville Sky’ about his time in the war-torn islands of the South Pacific where his work as a musician and radio broadcaster contributed to the success of the world’s first unarmed peacekeeping force. His memoir, the Dust of Uruzgan, was recently published. His performances will have you laughing, thinking and feeling.

Adelaide Scottish Fiddle Club (SA)

Performing a varied program of contemporary and traditional music, the Adelaide Scottish Fiddle Club is excited to be playing highlights from their debut CD. Join this vibrant community group for toe-tapping jigs and reels, and haunting slow airs taking you on a journey from Scotland and Ireland to Nova Scotia, Scandinavia and even Australia! A stage full of fiddles joined by cellos, guitar, double bass and piano is surely a sight and sound to behold!

Adrienne Lovelock and Peter Day (SA)

Adrienne Lovelock and Peter Day are well known in the Adelaide folk scene as performers and organisers of folk clubs and sessions. Peter’s accomplished guitar work complements Adrienne’s highly individual voice across a wide range of styles from traditional folk ballads to blues. Adrienne’s songwriting has a strong emphasis on narrative and character, often retelling the stories of people from our past in a new and fresh style that honours folk traditions. She won the Judith Crossley Memorial Award in 2017 for her song ‘One More Hill’. Adrienne’s debut album, ‘Every Road Leads Somewhere’, was released in 2018.

Allegra Dunning (NSW)

Allegra Dunning is a singer-songwriter from the Blue Mountains who performs a mix of rearranged covers and her originals. She writes songs about experiences, emotions and things we fear, with a distinctive Americana/ Blues/Folk feel. She performs with her trusty guitar yet is a multi-instrumentalist and plays Drums, Piano and Ukulele. Allegra’s music will move you and leave you in awe as her music is wise beyond her years and her experience from many festivals and events shows with her stage presence. Allegra is the ultimate storyteller, that will take the audience on an emotional journey.

Andrew Lockwood (VIC)

Andrew is a UK based travelling journeyman and solo artist, performing mainly acoustic originals; songs of life, love and the human condition inspired by his time within the Melbourne musical community and ongoing travels upon the road; volunteering, sharing and celebrating the healing joy of music. Intimate and laid back – inviting, organic songs crafted with honest, sensitive lyrics upon a canvas of guitar and vocals.

Anna & Jordan (QLD)

Triple j Unearthed duo Anna & Jordan are the epitome of original folk. Their gentle acoustic sounds paired with their incredibly well-written songs and unique talent for technical music results in a performance that is truly hypnotising. With Jordan on guitar and Anna opting for the more classical violin, the ultra-talented performers somehow make two instruments sound like one. The dual vocals are reminiscent of Angus and Julia Stone with their smooth and soft tones enveloped by that homely Australian accent we all love.

Bards Brew (SA)

Bards Brew create original thought-provoking songs and transformed covers. Although new to the folk scene, the band boasts a wealth of experience with a wide variety of instruments and many musical styles. Bards Brew has made previous appearances at The Stone Pony, The Fleurieu Folk Festival and other local venues as Mixed Brew. Bards Brew are Anne Timmins (vocals and percussion), Barry Timmins (vocals, guitar, keyboards and percussion), Tim Saunders (vocals, flute, guitar, bass and mandolin), Richard Brown (vocals, guitar, violin and whistles). Richard Brown is a leader and main songwriter from the Fatherhood who have also featured in previous Fleurieu Folk Festivals.

Brianna Page (SA)

Brianna is a self-taught vocalist/musician from Murray Bridge. Inspired by the music of Grace Vanderwaal, her beautiful vocals are accompanied by the sweet jangly sounds of her ukulele.

Bromham (SA)

Bromham are an eclectic ten-piece folk group from Adelaide, with a sound that is as varied and creative as it is joyous and energetic. With soaring group vocals and communal ways of blurring the line between band and audience, they’ve handed out kazoos, melodicas and shared mid-song sandwiches with many crowds. They recently toured on the back of their second release, ‘Friends, Fame, Folly’, bringing their vibrant, entertaining and memorable live sound to the east coast and Melbourne.

Brushwood (SA)

Brushwood are an Adelaide based five-piece band with Joe Cairns (vocals, bodhran, Mandolin) Gillian Murray (vocals, bodhran and guitar) Charles Sharrad (button accordion and harmonica) Brent Miller (vocals and bass guitar) and Doug Campbell (guitar). Brushwood play a mixture of Irish Scottish Australian folk music with a few contemporise thrown in regularly seen at festivals around the country and love to session.

Crooked Road (SA)

Crooked Road are Andrew Hook, Leonard Cohen, David Taylor and Phill Parker, whose "To Keep You Near" won the 2018 SCALA lyrics award out of 200 entries world-wide. They play harmony-driven folk, gospel, country and bluegrass with high-octane instrumentation. Their long musical history has seen them playing (singly or together) on 14 albums, TV, radio, festivals, and with Slim Dusty, Mike Seeger, John Munro, Margaret Roadknight, Bill Chambers, Highly Strung, The Bridgland Brothers, The Rank Strangers, Paul Wookey, The Buckshot Boogie Band, Dingo Ridge, Grass Roots, Hamilton County, The Pipi Pickers, The Reverend & Mrs. Rowdy and Old South.

Daniel J Townsend (TAS)

Daniel J. Townsend was born on a tiny island on the edge of the world, the descendant of a convict girl and her employer. Poet, folk musician and dilettante historian, he has been singing stories ever since. A sixth-generation Tasmanian, Townsend recently moved to the Northern Territory where he wrote and recorded the first album in the world released as a podcast: "A Tale of Two Cities." Townsend has performed at The National Folk Festival, received standing ovations at Nannup Music Festival and Cygnet Folk Festival and been described as "uniquely brilliant" .

Don Morrison (SA)

Songwriter, singer, guitarist and guitar maker, Don Morrison, has shared the stage with many of the biggest names in Australian music, like Midnight Oil, Hunters and Collectors, Billy Thorpe, Joe Camilleri, Australian Crawl, Men At Work, Stephen Cummings, Ross Wilson and a hundred more in more than thirty years in music game. He has worked with Bo Diddly, Joe Cocker, Rodriguez and even Billy Ray Cyrus. He was brave enough to stand next to Shakin’ Stephens in a urinal and nearly killed by Willie Nelson in Austin, Texas. He might not be as young and pretty as he once was, but he’s not done yet. Dubbed the Larrikin Troubadour Laureate of Adelaide, Don Morrison is playing, singing and writing songs better than ever.

Duo/Trio Montagne (SA)

The songs in the repertoire of Duo Montagne are notable for their atmospheric character and memorable melodies. Those strictly in folk genre derive from the British Isles, various European lands and the performers’ own antipodean heads (and hearts). Some political, some romantic, some whimsical, some plain silly, but all worth sharing. Instrumental accompaniment is by guitar, mandolin and ukulele, and various ethnic items they bang, tap, stroke and shake.

Dustbowl Chic (SA)

Dustbowl Chic combine energy, life and fun into their unique style of rustic Folk Rock, singing their songs of the south. These Willunga locals dip their flat caps and fedoras to the traditions of Celtic, American and Fleurieu folk with songs and a soul that capture local life, landscapes and laughter in a seemingly incongruous yet highly effective mix of instruments and styles. Dustbowl Chic represent what it means to be a Willunga local - Diverse, Creative and Fun!

Emily (SA)

After having performed on stages at some of the biggest folk festivals in the country, with her band, by the age of 19, Emily Schoof returns to the folk music scene as a solo artist, singer and songwriter in her own right. Her delightful and emotive lyrics along with an angelic voice will pull at your heartstrings.

Firinn (NSW)

Hailing all the way from the pristine eastern beaches of Sydney to the grimy Inner West, Fìrinn serve up a wild brew of Scottish trad, dirty riffs, pangs of bluegrass and straight-up folky nostalgia. Traditional melodies on the pipes and low whistle mash-up with swirling electric guitar and big rolling grooves. Add some thumping beats and a rowdy stage caper and Fìrinn create a fiery dance floor, delivering a hot take on ancient and modern Scottish folk tunes. Take the sounds of the untamed highlands, a pinch of sea salt and a good swig of a Marrickville warehouse party and you've got yourself Fìrinn.

Gallowglass (SA)

Gallowglass are a five-piece folk band, focused on high energy instrumental music. They have fiddle, mandolin, whistles, bodhran, guitar, fretless bass and song. Their repertoire is predominantly Irish and Scottish but also incorporates English, Australian, Italian, Greek and original compositions. They aim to be experimental with their arrangements. Gallowglass has been a regular act at the Adelaide Irish Club since early 2017.

Hedgehog (SA)

Hedgehog is a trio in Renaissance-style costume. They perform a lively and eclectic mix of dances, folk tunes and love songs from the Renaissance. Instruments include guitar, mandolin, waltzither, recorders, voice and violin.

The Ladybirds (SA)

The Ladybirds are a group of four, who perform for their love of harmony. Enjoyed by many in the Ukulele community, they present a very wide selection of well-known songs, with some unusual ones thrown in. It is very obvious how much this group enjoy what they do. Lynn and Mel are from a Barbershop background and are joined by Paula, who they met at Ukulele. Andy joined them last year and has brought boundless amounts of experience and enthusiasm.

Paul Gooding (SA)

With his commitment to, and sense of pride in folk music, Paul has become a leading exponent of the button accordion in Australia. He became involved with traditional music via a Morris dancing past (both playing music for dancing and the dancing itself) and developed a passion for European dance tunes. He plays with folk-rock band Spiral Dance and Hot for Joe Border Morris and has previously won Most Outstanding Instrumentalist at the South Australian Folk Awards. Paul’s energetic, off-beat playing style has become a hallmark and he has also written traditional-style tunes that have been included on albums and used for dances Worldwide.

The Humbuckin' Pickups (VIC)

High energy and a love of performing see The Humbuckin’ Pickups produce a show that is captivating and beautiful to witness. It’s Australiana rockin’ folk! The Humbuckers are a fun-loving lot, drawing the crowd in with their stories, their humour and their captivating songs.

Junior (SA)

Junior are a collective of accomplished musicians and songwriters from South Australia who have been a part of the Australian festival scene since 2000. They have endeared themselves to audiences from New York to Finland with their passionate performances and self-effacing humour while infusing their live performances with self-effacing humour and a humanity that is impossible to deny.

In Australia Junior have supported and played alongside greats like Paul Kelly, Jimmy Barnes, James Reyne, Things of Stone and Wood, Kingswood, Halfway, Renee Geyer, Nick Barker and Neil Murray. In the US Junior’s pre-recorded live performances have featured on the World Café Radio Show with David Dye, Pennsylvania, Woodstock Radio New York and Mountain Stage Radio show West Virginia syndicated to 150 stations across the U.S.

Paula Standing (SA)

Immersed in a sea of live music created during her family’s regular ‘front parlour’ sessions, Paula Standing continues to be impacted by the musical and personal influences in her life. Gritty tales of truth, with a spattering of murder ballads, cloaked in an innocent Americana sound. She will lure us into a false sense of security as we become the voyeurs and she becomes the story. All else becomes silent. Whether in the desert outback or beside the surf beaches, Paula is an established favourite amongst the Australian contemporary indie roots scene, where wry humour and warmth are as much a part of the show as her impressive vocal range and guitar combo.

Paul Reynolds and the Easy Club (SA)

Paul Reynolds and The Easy Club play new interpretations of folk classics adding sax and a great rhythm section to great vocals and harmonies to songs new and old.

Peter Anderson (VIC)

Peter Anderson comes from Melbourne, plays Appalachian dulcimer, sings Pink Floyd songs, plays guitar, sings cheeky and funny parodies, plays accordion, plays movie themes, leads dance bands, repairs accordions, sings traditional Australian folk songs, has a cool camper van, calls dances, loves a campfire session, bots the odd cigarette, flirts a bit, stands 6’4”, doesn’t believe in mornings, is suitably left wing, and is thoroughly entertaining on stage, to name but a few things.

Pete Titchener (SA)

Pete migrated from the UK to Australia in 1991 and has been a nuisance ever since. It all started innocently enough when he joined a local bush band. One thing led to another and a few years later he joined Adelaide band Colcannon. Several international tours later the band called it a day. Pete then started working with folk legend Eric Bogle. Recognising that one day this bubble might burst he graciously decided to offer himself as a solo performer and allow the somewhat suppressed comedic side of him to step forward. His mother’s next-door neighbour reckons “he’s quite good” – However, you be the judge.

Platform 9¾ (VIC)

Platform 9¾ is an award-winning Celtic Folk trio that was formed to promote Welsh music in Celtic Folk Festivals in Australia. Their music melds the musical sounds of the major Celtic influences and is characterised by sweet harmonies and unique musical arrangements. Their debut CD, ‘Celtic But Mainly Welsh’ received ‘Best Traditional Celtic Song’ at in Glen Innes in 2015 (Australian Celtic Music Awards). In 2016 Sarah was awarded Best Celtic Female Artist.

The Reverend and Mrs Rowdy

If you wake up Sunday morning with no way to hold your head that doesn't hurt, come sing the morning in, and heal your soul together with all the sinners the Festival can muster. Bring your self, an instrument or song to share if you have one, or just come join in. Country gospel for these kind of times!

Ruby Moon (SA)

Ruby Moon weave a spellbinding tapestry of lush harmonies and rich vocals. Nikkie, Bron and Adrienne will take you on a captivating musical journey of both acapella and accompanied songs from the British Isles, Australia and America. Sweet harmonies to sing up the moon.

SA Celtic Harp Orchestra (SA)

South Australia's premier Celtic harp orchestra will be performing a selection of tunes from Ireland and Scotland to tug at your heartstrings! Featuring solos, duets and ensemble works by harpers from all over the State.

Session Experience (ACT)

A welcoming slow session for those who can play their instrument "sort of “ and would like to move out of being by themselves in the kitchen to start playing with others. Printed music is provided, the tunes are simple, well known traditional and collected tunes played at a very steady pace. Each tune is played over and over so ear players can get a feel for the tune and those reading the music can practice the slightly harder bits. Melody and rhythm instruments welcome, B flat catered for, and some tunes adapted for bass.

Shona Williams and Phil Lester (VIC)

Shona Williams is a Glaswegian born Celtic Folk singer who has become widely known for her ethereal unaccompanied vocals and now for her musical partnership with the highly talented Phil Lester whose strong Bush Balladeer vocals and guitar/mandolin playing along with the banter of these two has caused followers of the duo to liken them to the legendary Corries. You will be taken on a wonderful journey through the Celtic lands, immerse yourself in the Gaelic language and gain insight into the history and diaspora of its peoples.

Step in Time (SA)

Step in Time is a predominantly Ukulele Band that puts a Gypsy Jazz twist to songs of yesteryear and beyond.

Steve Lennox (SA)

Winner of the 2018 Judith Crossley Songwriting Competition, Steve Lennox's evocative storytelling is infused with prose, hooky rhythms and striking melodies. With traces of Conor Oberst, Calexico and the fingerpicking fragility of Iron and Wine at his most poignant. The disarmingly warm timbre of his voice provides a constant thread throughout. He's shared the bill with artists such as Archie Roach and Paul Kelly, also worked with the award-winning Slingsby Theatre Company and has been a pivotal member of the Americana outfit, The Heggarties.

Steve is currently collaborating with Jen Lush on a body of songs based on the lighthouse keeping history of his family and they plan to release an album in the latter part of 2019, a song cycle based on the South Australian lighthouse keeping history of his family. Lives lived on islands whilst tending the light that warned souls away from the rocks. The full gamut of human existence encapsulated in a finite space. These songs created in collaboration with Jen Lush capture the joy, tragedy, isolation, freedom and wonders of these island lives. A testament and tribute to Steve's people and all light-keeping folk.

Suedan (SA)

Sue and Danny have been playing together since 2016. Sue, the percussionist, plays a Cajon, which is Spanish for box. Danny plays homemade cigar box guitars, harmonica and sings. They perform a mixture of originals and covers from Elvis to John Butler, all with a Middle Eastern breeze blowing through.

Willunga Ukuleles

Willunga Ukuleles is an informal community group who share a common love of this 4-stringed lute. Established in 2017, Willunga Ukuleles enjoys a large following, and its fortnightly gatherings at the Alma Hotel attracts anywhere from 25-50 players and performs regularly at local events. Including players of all ages and abilities, Willunga Ukuleles promotes a fun, relaxed and inclusive atmosphere while learning and playing popular hits and little-known ditties from the past 100 years.

Women's Suffrage Concert

To celebrate the 125th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage we are presenting a feature concert of music and spoken word, featuring some of Adelaide’s finest women singers, songwriters and poets.

Mel Dancer - MC
Adrienne Lovelock
Caz Williams
Jane Bower
Jen Lush
Adrienne Piggott and Bron Lloyd from Ruby Moon

Dance

Adelaide Morris Men

The Adelaide Morris Men perform traditional English dances, mostly collected from villages in the Cotswolds at the start of the 20th century. It is powerful and vigorous, but its origins are lost in the mists of time. Written references from the middle ages refer to Morris without any explanation. Apparently everybody knew what it was back then (in England, at least). And yes, the bells have always been part of it, at least since the 1400’s.

French Louisiana Swamp Music Band

French Louisiana Swamp Music Band is a local dance band playing lively Louisiana Two-steps and some exquisite Waltzes. They recently livened up the Winter Warm-up Fundraising concert for Fleurieu Folk Festival.

Hedgehog

Hedgemonkey Morris

Hedgemonkey's unique interpretation of Cotswold Morris Dancing is based on the dances from the village of Ascott-under-Wychwood as well as the side's own tradition. Renowned for its precise, innovative and contemporary style, Hedgemonkey has maintained traditional Morris movements but has incorporated them into dances using original choreography and new tunes. The team’s repertoire also includes traditional material to maintain, and indeed strengthen the link with Morris past, all the while 'Stretching Tradition That Little Bit Further'!

Hot For Joe Border Morris

Hot for Joe have been described as “mystifying, strong, and fierce”. They perform uniquely choreographed Border Morris to live music and have a following that is heralded nationally by their peers as exciting to watch and with “Vavoom!” Hot for Joe has a strong following, having performed at a variety of nationally recognised events such as the Woodford Folk Festival (Qld), The National Folk Festival (Canberra), Maldon Folk Festival (Vic), SA Folk Festival, SA Medieval Fair, SA Tourism Awards, Fleurieu Folk Festival and Adelaide Fringe. Recently, Hot for Joe performed at Huon Midwinter Festival in Tasmania with resounding success. Hot for Joe continue to appear at a variety of community events such as The English Ale, and The Prospect Fair, including many public performances throughout the year in metropolitan and regional locations around Adelaide. Our ‘come and try’ Border Morris Dancing workshops are always fun and will provide you with an easy-to-follow experience that promises to teach you a whole dance in under 45 minutes!

Lancashire Witches

The Lancashire Witches are an Adelaide based women’s Morris team, performing traditional north-west dance, which originated in the industrial north of England. The dancers usually wear wooden soled clogs or heavy shoes, and carry decorated short sticks, or hooped garlands of flowers. The dance style involves much rhythmic stepping or ‘ranting’. In previous centuries, north–west Morris dancers often did processional dances to accompany the local rush-carts. These days, dances have been adapted for street performance or stage. We perform to live music, and our talented Morris band will also perform as part of the dance program.

Telenn Tri

Telenn Tri brings driving rhythms combined with the delicate sound of the harp, fiery fiddle and punchy accordion, to 'soothing the soul' and infectious dance music of the Celts. Featuring harp, piano accordion, Irish bouzouki, guitar and Scottish fiddle, Telenn Tri perform music from deep in the heart of Brittany, up to the Scottish highlands to give you a true taste of what Celtic music can be.

Poetry

Hosted by Caz Williams

Caz has recently completed her Masters in Creative Writing, She performs regularly at a live music club in Balhannah, has been published in various anthologies including Something in the Blood. She has run poetry gatherings at the Fleurieu Folk Festival for a few years now. Her sessions/workshops are very flexible depending on who turns up and what they want to do. Read out favourite poems, discuss poetry and related issues. Caz encourages original offerings and is happy to discuss them a bit more if desired.