The National Folk Festival have revealed a first glimpse at what will be a 200 strong lineup for the five-day, Easter long-weekend event in Canberra, including an exclusive, Australian-first appearance by Jon Boden, lead singer of former UK progressive folk juggernaut, Bellowhead.
The first 34 acts also sees the Australian premiere of English songstress, Fay Hield, who has been the driving force behind a number of ground-breaking projects including The Full English; American folk-rock band, The Mammals, for their first run of shows after a 12 year hiatus; and the return of Scotland’s multi award-winning neo-trad quintet, Elephant Sessions.
An abundance of international acts include fierce, all-female Māori world-roots production, Māmā Mihirangi & the Māreikura and award-winning African reggae-man, Afro Moses; and on the local front, we see festival favourites and fresh faces from the likes of gypsy punk band, All Strings Attached, ARIA nominated jazz-folk fusionists, Chaika, hip hop roots from far north Queenslander, Deline Briscoe, and for those who like their pop intelligent and their folk dark, Bush Gothic.
“Folk is for everyone and the National Folk Festival really prides itself on delivering a diverse program that appeals to people from all backgrounds and ages,” said Ms Roben.
“There’s a wonderful mix of international, Aussie and local acts across a full range of folk genres, as well as the opportunity to discover, share and engage in the full folk experience with arts, food, dance, poetry and more.”
With over 750 shows throughout 20 venues, a children’s festival, themed bars, masterclasses, workshops, markets and a huge arts program, the National Folk Festival attracts festival goers both nationally and internationally.
The National Folk Festival is held over the Easter long weekend, 9-13 April 2020 at Exhibition Park in Canberra. Early-bird tickets are on sale now at folkfestival.org.au
NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL FIRST LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT
Afro Moses (GHANA with AUS backing band)
Aidan Connolly (IRELAND)
All Strings Attached
Amazing Drumming Monkeys
Avara
Bush Gothic
Chaika
Chloe and Jason Roweth with Matt Nightingale
Deline Briscoe
Fay Hield (UK)
Georgia State Line
Hat Fitz and Cara
Elephant Sessions (SCOT)
Jon Boden (UK)
JuggleHub (ACT)
Littmus Steampunk Band
Liz Frencham Trio
Māmā Mihirangi & the Māreikura (NZ)
The Mammals (USA)
Mark Moldre
Muddy Wolfe
Pagoda Project (UK)
The Peppercorns
The Raglins
Rob Barratt (UK)
Ruth Hazleton & Daisywheel
Saije
Shelley’s Murder Boys
Stiff Gins
The Stowaways
‘Uptown’ Brown!
We Mavericks (NZ / AUS)
Whitetop Mountaineers (USA)
Zumpa