Australia's home and heart of folk for over 54 years, the National Folk Festival returns to Canberra this Easter long weekend.
With over 145 artists, 5 music stages, 2 dance stages, workshop venues, jam sessions and other dedicated events to occupy even the most ardent of folkies, this year's National Folk Festival is headlined bye Billy Bragg and The Waifs.English folk-punk singer-songwriter and grassroots political activist, Bragg's most recent album is 'The Million Things That Never Happened' released in 2021.
While The Waifs, co-owners of the label Jarrah Records, achieved four ARIA awards for their 2003 album 'Up All Night' that birthed their iconic hit 'London Still'.
Other highlights of the 2023 line-up include 16-time Golden Guitar Award winner country singer-songwriter Luke O'Shea, folk-rock artist Mick Thomas (Weddings Parties Anything), indigenous songkeeper and social historian Jessie Lloyd, and folk-country musician Fred Smith.
There'll also be a number of international musicians arriving in Canberra including American-Canadian singer-songwriter Steve Poltz, Celtic-bluegrass guitarist Tony McManus, American sisters Natalie & Brittany Haas, Greek-Australian band Apodimi Compania (who first played The National in the '80s) and British singer-songwriters Chris While & Julie Matthews.
"We are bringing you some of the best artists in the folk business, all under the same roof," the festival says.
"If you like music, performance and dance up close and personal, the National Folk Festival is the place to go.
"Our line-up is crafted to create happiness with an equal mix of creativity, rhyme, and lyrics.
"Each act will create a vivid memory and each verse will tell a tale when these artists take to the stage.
"So, folkies, are you ready to get Folked?!"
Tickets are available.
2023 National Folk Festival takes place at Exhibition Park (Canberra) 6-10 April.
National Folk Festival 2023 Line-up
Billy BraggThe Waifs
Luke O'Shea
Mick Thomas' Roving Commission
Jessie Lloyd
Fred Smith
Steve Poltz
Jan Preston's Boogie Circus
The Pigs
Tony McManus
Natalie & Brittany Haas
Apodimi Compania
Charm Of Finches
Fiona Boyes
We Mavericks
Kavisha Mazzella
Oceanique
Alinta Barlow
Hillbilly Goats
Keith Potger with Moya Simpson & John Shortis
Chris While & Julie Matthews
John Flanagan Band
Frank Yamma
Royal High Jinxs
Miss Ohio
The Soul of Ukraine
Luke Plumb Band
The Cherry Pickers
Blues Cowgirls
Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse
Bill Jackson
Rhythm Hunters
Austra Willie & The Correspondents
Greshka
Charlie & Jensen
Skiffle Party
The Weeping Willows
Glenn Rae Virus and The Grass Brazoos
The Trippy Hippy Band
This Way Orkestra
Farhan Shah & SufiOz
Simpson Three
Trio Incognito
Bush Gothic
Raw Honey
Chloe & Jason Roweth
Pachamama
Sparrows Of Kabul
Melbourne Scottish Fiddlers
Stephen Taberner's Midnight Sing
The Brisbane Girls
Martyn Wyndham-Read
Thieving Magpies
Canberra Mandolin Orchestra
Festival Bush Orchestra Concert
Salvation Jane
Evan & Mischa
Fiona Ross & Tony McManus
Andy Baylor
