New breed of folk at festival

THE Port Fairy Folk Festival is celebrating excellence and diversity this year, presenting an outstanding line-up of folk music from all cultures and the diversity of great Australian artists.

From multi-award winning Western Australian singer-songwriter of the Noongar language Gina Williams, to the 2017 ARIA winning group, All Our Exes Live in Texas.

One of Australia’s most underground super-groups Tex, Don & Charlie define the Australian narrative in song, while a unique take on Jamaican folk is found in the form of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra, making the 2018 Festival program one of depth and diversity.

Special events will feature across the program, including stunning opening night event, Exile: Songs and Tales of Irish Australia.

The tradition of the writers’ program, a feature of the festival since it began, will be taken to a new level in 2018 when renowned human rights lawyer and social justice advocate Geoffrey Robertson QC talks about the role of folk music and songs played in drawing attention to global issues.

Program director Caroline Moore’s line-up will see legends of traditional folk take the stage, including Ireland’s trio of Andy Irvine, John McSherry and Donald O’Connor, and England’s Chris While and Julie Matthews.

“Violons Barbares is a stunning collaboration of artists from Bulgaria, France and Mongolia,” Caroline said.

“Jack Broadbent, who started his career in England as a busker and has featured at the Montreux Jazz Festival, will stun people with his virtuosic steel guitar. Breabach who are redefining contemporary and traditional folk music from Scotland are also part of the handful of the new breed folk artists that audiences will experience in 2018.”

To discover more about the festival, visit portfairyfolkfestival.com.

Third release tickets on sale now until February 15, or until sold out.