Still basking in the afterglow of their successful return in 2022, Victorian music festival Port Fairy Folk Festival is steaming ahead with its 2023 event, revealing the first nine acts who'll take to the stage next year.
Leading the way are party starters and perennial festival favourites 19-Twenty and their rollicking blue-billy-grass-rockin'-roots music alongside the Bard of Barking, English singer-songwriter and activist Billy Bragg – who'll finally make his way back to Australia having been forced to postpone his national tour four times since 2020.Other additions to the 2023 line-up are Irish singer-songwriter and actress Mary Coughlan, Grammy-nominated American bluesman Eric Bibb, and Nashville-based singer-songwriter and living legend Steve Poltz.
Rounding out the internationals is Canadian instrumental trio Inn Echo and UK guitarist-songwriter John Smith.
Aussie acts Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse, plus roots-folk stalwarts The Waifs complete the first artist announcement.
"Look at the names on this list! PUMMMPED to be playing Port Fairy Folk Festival again! And yes Kane will keep his pants on this time," shares 19-Twenty who return to Port Fairy Folk Festival for the first time since 2019.
Adds Billy: "Really pleased to announce that I'll be appearing at the Port Fairy Folk Festival in Victoria March 2023. Look forward to seeing you there!"
Set to take place 10-13 March, Port Fairy Folk Festival Program Director Justin Rudge says next year's event is already shaping up to be bigger and better than ever.
"After the joyous return of the Folkie earlier this year, I am thrilled to reveal the first line-up for what is promising to be a huge festival in 2023.
"Next year will see the return to a full-strength programme, brimming with a diverse range of styles and genres, and featuring the best musical talent from Australia and around the globe.
"Stay tuned for more artist announcements in the lead up to our 2023 festival weekend – we can't wait to share our festival with new and returning Folkies."
Port Fairy Folk Festival (Victoria) takes place 10-13 March, 2023.
To access early-bird tickets from 17 June, punters can subscribe to the Port Fairy Folk Festival line-up.
Port Fairy Folk Festival 2023 Line-up
19-TwentyAjak Kwai
Andrei O'Connor
Andrew Gurruwiwi Band
Angela Kenna
Anna Smyrk
Apolline
Arlo Mckinley
Atomic Entourage
Ausecuma Beats
Austral
Baby Velvet
The Badloves
Ben Waters
Billy Bragg
Birdz & Fred Leone
Blue Moon Marquee
Blues Roulette
Brian Nankervis
Bud Rokesky
Bumpy
The Burning Hell
Charles Jenkins
Claymore
Colin Lillie
C.W. Stoneking & His Primitive Horn Orchestra
Dani Larkin
Dobby
Early James
Eastbound Buzz
Eilen Jewell
Emma Donovan: Follow The Sun
Eric Bibb
Etta Lane
Evie Mae
Find Your Voice Collective
Fiona Boyes
Foggy Notion
Folk Bitch Trio
Frank Sultana
Gallie
Georgia Mooney
Georgia State Line
Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse
Grace Petrie
Grigoryan Brothers
Inn Echo
Jim Lauderdale
John Smith
Jon Boden
Josh Pyke
Kim Churchill
The Langan Band
Liz Stringer
Lucy Lorenne & The Early Birds
Mary Coughlan
Minor Gold
Musical Sprouts
My Giddy Aunt
Nancy Bates & Tabitha Lean
Niamh Regan
Nick Charles
Norwood
O' Little Sister
Out Of Hand
Pirritu
Radical Son
Rebecca Barnard & Peter Farnan
Ruby McKenna
Sally Seltmann
Sarah Carroll
Scott Cook
Singing Our Futures
Siobhan Miller
Skyscraper Stan & The Commission Flats
The Southern Ocean Sea Band
Startijenn
Steve Poltz
Subhira Quintet
Sweet Talk
Tim Easton
Tin Shed Singers
Tom West
Tom West & Lucinda R.
Tribute To Uncle Archie
True Spirit Revival Yoga
Vieux Farka Touré
The Waifs
Warrnambool Pipe Band
While & Matthews
William Crighton
Zoe Borthwick
