Set to celebrate their 30th anniversary with more than 110,000 visitors expected across 6 days, Woodford Folk Festival's 2024 programme is teeming with a diverse catalogue of Australian talent alongside artists from 20-plus countries representing 450-plus performers.
A pulsating wonderland of captivating music, artistic expression and unbridled imagination, Woodford offers six days of escapism where joy and love mingle with sustainability and inclusiveness that's cross-pollinated by workshops, speakers, comedy, arts, crafts, yoga, wellness practices, poetry, installations and so much more.The music line-up in 2024 is led by Indigenous icons Yothu Yindi as well as emerging North-East Arnhem Land's surf-rockers King Stingray, five-time ARIA Award winning blues-rock-roots singer-songwriter Dan Sultan and the Fresh New Prince Baker Boy.
The bill also features future soul queen Ngaiire presenting a special performance collaborating with polymath pianist Paul Grabowsky, fierce multidisciplinary artist-advocate Jaguar Jonze, indie champions Ball Park Music, and 11-time Golden Guitar winner and 2022 Australian Country Music Roll of Renown inductee Beccy Cole.
New Zealand's famed alt-pop singer-songwriter Bic Runga will also cross the ditch, with other international arrivals including South African a cappella collective The Joy, French multi-talented author-composer-performer Ysé, musical-visual UFO AURUS, Icelandic folk artist JFDR, and the genre-blending Scottish trad-funk-electronica maestros, Elephant Sessions.
Emerging artists Tia Gostelow and Alex the Astronaut are also part of the programme as are established acts Meg Washington, Josh Pyke, Ash Grunwald, Husky, Caravãna Sun, Frank Yamma, Grigoryan Brothers, Katy Steele, Lena, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Nathan Cavaleri, Tjaka and Ziggy Ramo.
This year, Woodford has several musical partner showcases including Ishkōdé Records; an Indigenous, women-owned record label from Northern Turtle Island, created to foster and amplify Indigenous voices, with returning genre-blending indie band Digging Roots, heartland rocker Amanda Rheume and Aysanabee who made history to become the first Indigenous artist to win the Juno Award for Alternative Album Of The Year.
There are plenty of opportunities for up-and-coming musicians to take to a stage with the great band competition, festival choir, walk-estra and live music sessions across Australian, Irish, English, Scandinavian, Italian, Gypsy jazz, funk and beyond.
Beyond the music lives a wondrous world where patrons might find themselves at a rhythm and dance class with 'Alone Australia' winner Gina Chick, before walking across the village to attend a panel on restoring biodiversity to wild and urban spaces.
Some of the speakers include Mad Max's Quaden Bayles alongside activist Yarraka, diversity champions Like a Photon, Sea Shephard's Jeff Hanson, Jinibara Traditional Custodians Uncle Noel Blair and Uncle Kenny Murphy along with SBS's Elder in Residence, Rhoda Roberts.
For those looking to recharge, Woodford has a dedicated yoga and mindfulness programme called 'meditation in motion', kicking off with sunrises on the hilltop each morning overlooking the Glasshouse Mountains, acroyoga and array of breathwork techniques from ancient to modern, and meditation for all skill levels.
For the book lovers, several artists will not only share their skills onstage, but their words on the page. Ziggy Ramo will challenge us all to think about how we all got here by sharing his latest book 'Human? A Lie That's Been Killing Us Since 1788', and Gina Chick's autobiography 'We Are The Stars' will blow you away.
The festival will culminate on New Year's Eve with the traditional three-minute silence before heralding in the New Year with the harmonic force of Tibetan lineage Tenzin Choegyal alongside the monks of Tibet for the first sunrise of 2025 on the Hilltop, before wrapping up officially on the evening of 1 January, 2025. The festival is so popular that, for the duration of the event, Woodford temporarily becomes the 67th largest town in Australia.
"To mark 30 years of the festival at Woodfordia, this is one of our most exciting programmes to date," Festival Director, Amanda Jackes says. "We are thrilled to reveal the vast array of artists and presenters who will bring people together to herald in the new year with creativity, music and culture from around the world.
"We are especially grateful for the support from the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland in what we hope will be our best yet." In 2023, the Woodford Folk Festival attracted almost 10,000 out-of-state visitors to Queensland, generating 171,449 total direct visitor nights and injecting $26.08 million in direct and incremental spending in Queensland.
"The festival is based on a vision of inclusivity, community and traditions," Amanda says. "The site, a former treeless dairy farm, has been regenerated with over 135,000 subtropical rainforest trees, orchids, ferns and sedges planted to create a habitat for butterflies and wildlife that attendees now and in the future will enjoy."
Tickets are on sale.
Woodford Folk Festival takes place at Woodfordia (Sunshine Coast) from 27 December, 2024, until 1 January, 2025.
Woodford Folk Festival 2024-2025 Line-up
23 Skidoo & the Secret Agency
A Good Catch
a hop and a skip
Adam Spencer
Aerborn
Alan Kelly
Alana Rain
Alex The Astronaut
Alieta Belle
Allie Ng-Lee
Allora
Ally Palmer
Aly de Groot
Amaidí
Amanda Rheaume
Amazing Fun for Kids
Amelie Ecology
Amiria-Jade Art
Ampe-Kenhe Ahelhe Band
Andrea Kirwin and The Yama-Nui Social Club
Andrew Hull
Andy Copeman Medicine Man Music feat. Laurel Bay Tree
Angela Peita
Angeline Wynter
Angkana Whiley
Angus Hamill
Anisa Nandaula
Anousha Victoire
Anya Anastasia
Anya and Stef of West End Yoga
arís
Arna Baartz
Artfolk
Arzu Ünel-Cleary
Ash Grunwald
Ash Morse
Asleep at the Reel
Auburn in Love
Aura The Fairy and Friends
AURUS
Auslan For Everyone
Ayesha Blanco
Aysanabee
Backbone Youth Arts
Bailey Judd
Baker Boy
Ball Mania
Ball Park Music
Bare Knees
Batbox Super Hero
Beach Volleyball
Beccy Cole
Begonia
Belinda Chellingworth
Belinda Tucker
Ben Hunter
Bethany Woodman
Bhangra Dance
Bianca Bond
Biannka Brannigan
Bic Runga
Billie Weston - JUNGLE JUICE
Birren
Blues Arcadia
BOOF
BOOM Shanko
Breandán an Píobaire
Breathe with Bansuri
Brenna Quinlan
Brisbane AcroYoga
Broken Creek
Bromham
Brotherhood of the Wordless
Bunky and Grandma
Caliko
Calypso Cora
Caravãna Sun
Cardboard Creations
Carol Wilmot
Caroline Cowley
Cate McQuillen
Catherine Conaty
Centre for Disability Research and Policy, The University of Sydney
Charlotte Connell
Children Of Yoga
Chloe Matharu
Chris 'Sese' Cobb
Chris Ah Gee
Church of the Clitori
Circus in the Clouds
Cirque Hot Club
CJ Shaw
Claire Evelynn
Claudio Rabe
Clermont's Clinic
Cocoloco
Conspiracy of One
Corner Pocket Swing
Costa Georgiadis
Cracked Anvil Forge
Craig Madden
Craig Walsh
Cuban Dance Company
Damian Callinan
Dan Sultan
Dande and The Lion
Darren Hanlon
David Hallett
Deejaye Katch
Dennis Comino
Diana Z Diaz "Mexicanera"
Dianne Conroy
Digging Roots
Dillion James
dirtgirlworld
Djuelu The Village Scribe
Dream Collectors
DUB ZOO
Duckie Darling
East of West
Echoes of Cirque
Eils & The Drip
Elana Stone
Elemental Journeys
Elephant Sessions
Elischa Swan
Elissa Farrow
Elliot Leach
Em Niwa
Embellysh Photography
Emily Loe
Emma Wilson and Seamus Kirkpatrick
Erin Lee & Shivam Rath
Eumundi School of Music
Fairytale Flow
Felicity Dowd
Flame and Pickle
Flamenco House
Folkaphonic Youth Orchestra
FOOLS
Formidable Vegetable
Forro Brisbane
Forrobodoz
Forward Kwenda and Velvet Pesu
Francesca Carpenter
Frank Yamma
From The Flame Trees
Future Destin
Gallivanting Gastropod
Geoff Wood
Geoffrey Le Goaziou
Geordie Williamson
Gina Chick
Good Guy Hank
Good Tunes
Grigoryan Brothers
Gubbi Gubbi Dance
Gypsy Cats
Hannaka Zakachard
Happy Bears
Harding's House
Harley Breen
Hayden Hack
He Huang
Headphones Jones
Heart Breath Awakening
Heather Price
Helen Schwencke
High School Folk n Roll
Homebru
HOTMESS- In the Flesh
Humarimba
Husky
Ian Lowe
Imogen Kelly
Ingrid Johnson
Iontach
Isabella Ferroni
Isobel Knight
J-MILLA
Jack Raymond
Jaga Band
Jaguar Jonze
Jane Michele & The Consortium
Jane Richens
Janty Blair
Jason Murphy
Jason Roweth
Jay Wymarra
JaZZella
Jeff Hansen
Jen Mize & The Rough n Tumble
Jennifer Andrews
Jenny Newell
Jeremy Staples
Jessie Carson
JFDR
Jinibara Dance Group
Jinibara Speaks
Joe H Henry
Joe Hallenstein
Jordie Lane
Josh Pyke
Kankawa Nagarra
Karma Dance Inc.
Karma Dives
Karul Projects
Karungkarni Art and Culture
Katy Steele
Kerri Gill
Kerryn Fields
Kevin Kropinyeri
Kids Are Great
King Stingray
Kinship
Kirsty Bishop-Fox
Kristal West
Kristin Kelly
Kundalini Yoga Spirit Journeys
Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards
Laureen & Friends
Lee Hardisty
Lenka
Lettering House
LightnUp Inc
Like a Photon
Lilliahna Rogers
Lindy Edwards
Linsey Pollak
Liquorice Bufo
Lisa Iselin - Sundog Craft
Lisa Johnson
Lisa Raquel Cowan
Little Quirks
Little Wing Puppets
Liz Skitch
Lonely Boot Creations
Lucy Wise
Luke Wright
Mad Dance House
Mad Scrabblers
Malo'
Mandala House - The Architecture of Awakening
Manoa
Manoeuvre - Roving Stilt Performers
Maria Almonacid
Mary Frances
Matt Sier
Matt The Electrician
Meg Washington
Melbourne Céilí Band
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Memetica
Merpire
Merryn Penington - Structural Energetics
Michelle Freeman
Mickey & Michelle
Middar
Midnight Chicken
Mike McClellan
Milk Crate Circus
Mimi O'Bonsawin
Minou Duval
Miss Bubbles
Miss Kaninna
Miss Radida
Monique Clare
Monks of Tibet
Montz Matsumoto and Voicestrings
Moran Wiesel
Morrigan & Wilding
Mt Ninderry Art House
Mundy-Turner
Mz Mally Moo's Music 4 Minis
Nathan Beretta Band
Nathan Cavaleri
Natureweavers
Nearly Normal Norman
New Earth Metta Breathwork
Newbury Fog
Ngaiire and Paul Grabowsky
Nick Grivas
Nicola Ossher
Niki Roy
Nikki Britton
Nikolaine Martin
Niq Reefman
Noel Gardner & The Party Faithful
Ocean in Motion
Oh My Goat
Oliver Roweth
Olivia Rosebery
Oscar Serrallach
Pan & Boo
PanAlchemy
Papa Fire & Mr Beatz
Paris Martine
Parnian Zanganeh
Pendragon Shoes
Penny Davies
Peter Gresshoff
Peter Vadiveloo
Phil Barlow
Phil Smart
Pipin
Pixie
Play with Clay
Potters of Woodfordia
Queensland XR Hub
Queensland Youth Folk Orchestra
QUT Digital Media Research Centre
Rachele Wilson
Rainbow Endz
Rhoda Roberts
Richie LeStrange
Richie Merzian
Riley Catherall
Rising Waves
Rizal Hadi & Folk
Rob Carlton
Robin Clayfield and The Sacred Union Labyrinth
Robyn Martin
Rory Kelly
Rosie Waters
Round Mountain Girls
Rubatuba
Ruby Stone
Rutherford Jazz Trio
Sacred Union Labyrinth Band
Sai Galaxy
Sam Lee
Sampology
Sandpoppy Weaving
Sarah Howells
Sarah Pye
Sex On Toast
Shmoné
Silli-Mulli Cultural Group from Enga Province
SING
Skillz FJ
Slowmango
SOLUA
Sophie Banister
Soraya Fewquandie
Soula
Sounds of India
Spaghetti Circus
Spencer Hitchen
Splash Mob Theatre
Stay Cool - Play Chess
Strike and String
String Beings
SUB-TRIBE
Suitable Circus
Sunni Holden
Sunny Days - Rise, Nourish & Thrive
Susan O'Neill
Tahlia Connie
Tanya Davis
Tenzin Choegyal
Tenzin Kunsang
TESSA DEVINE
The Backyard Banjo Club
The Bad Dad Orchestra
The Between
The Bower
The Bubble Bower Birds
The Burning Hell
The Fairy Green
The Good Behaviours
The Great Band Competition
The Hanging Tree
The High Street Drifters
The Hillbilly Skank
The Hoodlum Ballet
The Insecurity Guards
The Joy
The Korean Traditional Performers Group Hanmadang Inc.
The Mad Mariachi
The Maestro
The Mobile Jewellery Tudor
The Moving Stills
The Museum of Interactive Effigies
The Mushroom Whisperers
The Seamstresses
The Seven of Ska
The Slims
The Squeaking Tribe
Thirty Years of Tabla
This New Light
Those Folk
Tia Gostelow
Tie Dye Magic
Tim Scanlan & Mana Okubo
Tjaka
Toko-ton Taiko and Friends
Tracey Miller
Tracy Lewis Art
Transylvanian Gypsy Kings
Tuck Shop Ladies
TYDE
Uncle Kenny Murphy
Uncle Noel Blair
Vardos
Victor Steffensen
Vihor - A Balkan Whirlwind
VJ Harvey
Wahoo Business
Weaving is Healing
Wild Yeast Zoo
Wildhouse Circus
Woodford Morris Dancers
Yarraka and Quaden Bayles
Yi-jung Hsien
Yothu Yindi
Ysé
Ziggy Ramo
Zimmi Forest
ZoBo & Dingo
Zoe Kean
