Amaidí is a high-energy neo-trad band from Brisbane featuring banjo, fiddle, guitar, and accordion, creating a massive, modern sound that fills the room. Their sets combine explosive dance tunes with well-crafted songs that blend Irish, Scottish, and Australian roots into a powerful live experience.

Amy Henderson and Luc McNally are two distinctive voices in contemporary folk. Scottish musician Amy Henderson is known for her expressive accordion playing and soulful vocals, blending rhythmic drive with a lyrical touch. Glasgow-based Luc McNally is a guitarist, bouzouki player, singer, and composer dedicated to both preserving tradition and creating original songs. Together they weave rich instrumentals and powerful storytelling, honouring tradition while embracing innovation.

Astro Bloc is a bold and dynamic new folk band that blends deep-rooted tradition with boundary-pushing creativity, producing a thrilling sound that redefines the genre. Featuring BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year Eryn Rae, internationally renowned percussionist Paul Jennings, multi-award-winning instrumentalist Éadaoin Ní Mhaicín, and the innovative, genre-spanning talent of Gillie Ó Flaherty, Astro Bloc is breathing fresh life into the folk scene. With influences from Scotland, Ireland, and beyond, their music offers an exhilarating mix of heritage and innovation.

Australian Folk Music Award winners and Music Victoria Award nominees, Austral are a high-energy, four-piece Australian tunes band combining didgeridoo, Irish pipes, high energy fiddling, journeying songs and energetic foot percussion. Whether you see them on stage or at the session afterward, Austral will get your festival going.

Old friends and Naarm musical stalwarts Ewen Baker (fiddle), Lynnelle Moran (flute, whistle and vocals) and Dan West (guitar) unite in a new configuration to share their love of traditional Irish tunes and songs of woe. Collectively, they have performed with Shane Howard, John Spillane and Seán Keane, and toured across Japan, Europe and the UK. Their music weaves together tunes and songs gathered through years of travel, from campfires and kitchen tables, and from enduring musical friendships. Rooted in tradition and shaped by shared experience, the trio bring warmth, intimacy and connection to every performance.

Claymore is Celtic folk rock band, known for powerful vocals, driving rhythms, and an energetic stage presence that draws audiences in from the first note. Blending traditional Celtic melodies with modern rock, their sound is both authentic and exciting. Claymore thrives on audience connection, delivering interactive performances, workshops, and meet-and-greets that make every crowd feel involved. Their shows build energy and momentum, creating memorable, feel-good moments that stay with audiences long after the final song.

Award-winning uilleann piper Colm Broderick joins forces with acclaimed Sliabh Luachra concertina player Niamh Dalton for a high-energy celebration of traditional Irish music. Blending pipes, concertina, flute, and whistles, they create driving rhythms, soaring lift, and a sound deeply rooted in the spirit of Sliabh Luachra and the rich tapestry of the wider Irish tradition.

Genre-bending slide guitarist Dan Musil plays like no-one else, melding otherworldly musical journeys with incisive songwriting. Travel to where Irish tunes emerge from stomping blues, where eucalyptus-infused meditations meet driving groove & flowing phrase - the provocative and the calming.

Double Shot Maggie is a vibrant powerhouse of music, blending Irish trad and popular tunes with a fun and edgy rock sound to get you up on your feet every time. This in-demand 5-piece band of talented multi-instrumentalists has been playing pubs and festivals around Australia since 2003. You'll love the special spin they put on songs that will be stuck in your head long after you get your voice back.

Known for her earthy, honest singing style, Glasgow-born singer Fiona Ross is widely acclaimed as a gifted interpreter of Scots song. Now based in Australia, she champions the tradition through concerts, lectures, and workshops, bringing its rich heritage to diverse audiences. With deep knowledge of the repertoire and a gift for storytelling, Fiona shares the history and meaning behind each song. Her performances are engaging and inclusive, and she delights in getting audiences singing along, creating a truly participative experience. Fiona is also an accredited deep coach and spiritual director. Learn more at www.fionaross.com.au

Convict Rhythm and Roots duo Hat Fitz and Cara combine their cultural backgrounds (AUS/IRE), creating a dynamic power force that fuels Fitzy's weathered vocals and soaring blues-soaked guitar with Cara's pounding drums and soulful voice to create a raw and vintage sound that has taken them around the world. Hat Fitz and Cara bring a warmth and charm in their banter and music that often has the room in laughter and tears.

Siblings from Lutruwita/Tasmania, Homebru are known for their intricate compositions, fiery improvisation, driving rhythm and infectious spirit. A unique blend of contemporary celtic folk - punchy and vibrant, yet also refined and detailed. They are equally at home with a crowd of wild dancers as with an audience of observant folk enthusiasts.

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Johnny Murphy and Brendan Mulholland are master Irish traditional musicians whose acclaimed duo blends fiddle, banjo, flute and whistle. Rooted in regional Irish traditions, their performances feature driving dance tunes, lyrical slow airs and engaging storytelling. Joined by guitarist Gerry McKeague, their music is generous, grounded and deeply connected to tradition.

Meet The Keys of Life Social Group, a spirited group of young musicians on the autism spectrum who use the power of Celtic music to build social bonds. Every Thursday night, they come together for an hour of music-making, blending tunes with friendship, laughter and the joy of shared experience.

Kris Mizzi, a recipient of Folk Alliance “Australian Solo Artist of the Year,” is a Melbourne singer-songwriter and master storyteller. Winner of the Troubadour Award, he’s captivated audiences worldwide, performing at Celtic Connections 2025 and Ireland’s Your Roots Are Showing. New album coming this year.

Laura Targett is an acclaimed fiddler, composer, singer, and songwriter whose work is deeply rooted in Irish and Celtic traditions while embracing a contemporary, global folk sensibility. Renowned for her powerful and expressive fiddle playing, she moves effortlessly between driving rhythmic tunes and lyrical, slow airs, creating performances of both intensity and intimacy. Her music reflects early classical training alongside years immersed in folk traditions worldwide, shaping a distinctive and versatile voice. A dynamic live performer and respected workshop leader, Laura brings together tradition and innovation with virtuosity and emotional depth, delivering performances that are both captivating and enduring.

Louzco Fouzco is a vibrant Sydney-based Galician folk group founded by three Galaico-Portuguese musicians and joined by local performers passionate about Celtic traditions. Blending traditional melodies with modern, danceable rhythms, they create a fresh and engaging take on their musical heritage. Regular performers across Sydney and beyond, Louzco Fouzco have built a reputation for energetic shows that connect strongly with audiences. Their unique sound, rich textures, and lively presence consistently draw crowds in—often inspiring people to dance and fully immerse themselves in the experience, making them a standout act at festivals and events.

Lucy Kammermann (The Borough) and Luisa Hickey (Apolline) are a fiddle duo known for their energetic, intimate performances and shared love of traditional music. Since meeting in 2025, they have bonded over common influences, developing a playful and responsive musical partnership that thrives on spontaneity. Together, they draw on extensive national and international festival experience to present a diverse repertoire of Celtic and Celtic-influenced tunes from Ireland, the Americas and Scandinavia. Their performances invite audiences into a lively exchange of musical ideas, with tunes and solos passed between them, creating a dynamic and engaging live experience.

Instrumental Celtic six piece Mad Kelpie Playdate formed from a mutual love of high energy bagpipe music and crazy dogs. Their uniquely modern take on Celtic trad music led by Scottish and Irish bagpipes fuses intricate harmonies, original compositions, and driving rhythms into a foot-stomping, heart-pounding celebration of Celtic music.

Winner of the 2025 AFMA Folk Album of the Year, Irish banjo player and singer Maggie Carty brings soulful energy to Irish traditional music. Now based in Naarm/Melbourne, her trio blends driving rhythms, bluesy undertones, and heartfelt storytelling. Her acclaimed debut album Ebb and Flow explores heritage, movement, and transformation.

Maria Forde is an acclaimed Irish-Australian singer-songwriter celebrated for her soulful voice and ability to weave traditional Celtic melodies with heartfelt Australian stories. With 11 albums of original music, she has toured extensively and become a much-loved presence on festival stages. Maria returns to mark 30 years of her Celtic musical journey with a special anniversary album, her performances are warm, engaging, and rich with storytelling—promising a memorable and uplifting experience for festival audiences.

The Melbourne Scottish Fiddlers are a much-loved, intergenerational ensemble celebrating 30 years of sharing Scottish music with energy, warmth and community spirit. What began as a small group has grown into a dynamic collective of over 100 musicians, delighting audiences with lively reels, driving strathspeys, soulful airs and toe-tapping dance tunes. They have released seven albums, toured across Australia and internationally, and recently returned from a successful Canadian tour, including a highlight performance at the Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival. Known for their welcoming performances, workshops and ceilidhs, they create an atmosphere that draws audiences in and keeps the music alive long after the final tune.

From the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, Gaelic singer Mischa Macpherson has earned wide acclaim for her evocative vocals, winning the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award and Gaelic Singer of the Year, and performing internationally with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and at the G20 Summit in India. At the National Celtic Festival she is joined by Charlie Stewart (fiddle), Alistair Iain Paterson (piano, harmonium), and Gillie O’Flaherty of Astro Bloc, bringing Gaelic song and Scottish tradition vividly to life.

Fresh from their international debut at the 2024 “Festival Interceltique de Lorient”, Out of Hand are two sets of siblings who create toe-tapping tunes and lilting melodies, blending traditional music with original songs and compositions, fast becoming one of Australia’s leading neo-trad groups.

Progetto Corelli is an early music ensemble based in Melbourne, performing a selection of old Scots tunes, sonatas and airs from manuscripts of the mid eighteenth century—the Scottish Enlightenment. Leaning into the Scots Drawing Room style, the concert features melodies published by Barsanti, Burk, Geminiani, McGibbon, and Oswald.

Rebecca Hill and Charlie Stewart are a Glasgow-based harp and fiddle duo blending traditional Scottish roots with contemporary composition and improvisation. Formed at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, they’ve developed a distinctive, conversational sound and earned recognition including nominations at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards. They perform internationally at major festivals including Celtic Connections and across the UK and Europe.

Charismatic Scotsman Rich Davies brings The Low Road to Portarlington for the first time since 2022, delivering his award-winning songwriting with equal parts heart and ferocity through trad-roots instrumentation and 5 part gang-vocals. ’A foot stomping contemporary folk attack’ - Mick Thomas

Saltaire are a Dublin-based contemporary folk/trad band. Their combined experience fueling a bold and dynamic sound, the band weave haunting, ethereal folk styles with rich storytelling to create original songs and reimagined folk ballads and traditional tunes. With the deep resonance of cello, the rhythmic pulse of bodhrán, and the melodic interplay of guitar and bouzouki, they craft a fresh yet dense folk sound that feels both timeless and nostalgic. Their debut EP Only Moonlight released in Feb 2026 showcases this distinctive style, weaving original songs and reimagined ballads with warm harmonies and subtle bluegrass influence.

Sam O'Connell is a 28 year old Australian Folk musician from the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. Sam had a guitar places in his hand at the age of 7 years old and continues learning and mastering his craft for years to come. With his raw and beautiful storytelling vocals and his intricate guitar work, Sam is the whole package and always puts on a show that will captivate all audiences.

SAOIRSE is an award-winning Melbourne-based band renowned for their musicianship and captivating vocal harmonies. Blending traditional Irish repertoire with original compositions, they perform a rich mix of heartfelt ballads in both English and Irish alongside lively jigs, reels and polkas. Their polished, expressive sound has delighted audiences across Australia and internationally.

Séamus and Caoimhe are a dynamic sibling duo from Connemara on the west coast of Ireland, raised in the heart of the Gaeltacht where music, dance and the Irish language shaped their sound from day one. Awarded Best Emerging Artists at the RTÉ Folk Awards 2024, they’ve electrified audiences across Asia, North America and Europe and have even joined the 25th Anniversary tour of Riverdance at Radio City Music Hall NYC. Multi-instrumentalists and rich vocals, their performances pulse with fresh energy while staying deeply rooted in tradition - delivering an unforgettable, world-class Irish music experience.

SHAM enthusiastically embraces contemporary celtic and Irish folk culture in an experienced 12 piece mega-super-group folk-art-rock group of Geelong community musicians who faithfully rock some of the best contemporary celtic folk pop music from The Cranberries, The Waterboys, U2, The Pogues, Sinead O’Connor and more.

A mix of lovely madness! Hailing from Melbourne, Sydnet and New Zealand, Tasman Crossing gives Celtic inspired music a Southern flavour. The three members of the band have a shared love of trad, and are capable of everything from drawing a tear, to blowing the roof off a session bar. Either way, enjoyment is guaranteed.

Enjoy high-energy music and song with one of Ireland’s most exciting emerging traditional bands, The Bath Street Boys. Featuring Oran Kelly (button accordion), Marty Barry (guitar/vocals), Oisín Duffy (fiddle), and Aidan Quigney (keyboard), this powerhouse quartet blends regional Irish styles with a fresh, infectious energy and undeniable character. Bursting with talent and flair, their performance promises a vibrant, foot-stomping celebration of traditional music at its very best.

The Catherine Fraser Trio presents dynamic and engaging performances grounded in the traditional fiddle music of Scotland. Featuring fiddle, guitar and cello, their repertoire spans from 18th-century tunes to contemporary works, brought to life with technical excellence and imaginative musicality. With extensive international touring and teaching experience, the trio is in high demand at festivals, workshops and music camps. Alongside their concerts, they offer collaborative workshops that invite participants to learn and perform a piece with the trio on stage, creating a unique and inclusive musical experience that connects audiences and performers alike.

The Inadequates are an acoustic folk trio known for their vibrant energy, intricate musicianship, and engaging stage presence. Influenced by Punch Brothers, Nickel Creek, and Mumford & Sons, they fuse modern acoustic innovation with respect for tradition. Brisbane Conservatorium graduates Marcus and Lawson, along with UQ physics alumnus Jackson, bring seven years of meticulous collaboration to their first album, now available everywhere. Celebrated for both technical skill and playful banter, their performances have captivated audiences at festivals including Illawarra, Cygnet, Maleny, and the National Folk Festival. Active contributors to the Australian acoustic scene, they foster connection, jamming, and celebration through every show.

The Maes are at the forefront of contemporary Australian folk, known for their lush harmonies, acoustic mastery and deeply engaging live shows. Following the 2025 release of their fourth album Abreast, they toured to sold-out audiences across Australia and the UK, including appearances at major international festivals. Songwriters Maggie and Elsie Rigby craft music that is both intimate and powerful, blending guitar, mandolin, fiddle and banjo with striking emotional depth. Their performances move effortlessly between humour and heartbreak, drawing audiences in and creating a genuine connection that lingers long after the final note.

The Stovies are a folk trio hailing from Tasmania, Victoria, and NSW, rooted in Scottish, Irish, and Australian musical traditions. Known for their rich three-part harmonies, warm storytelling, and playful humour, they move effortlessly from stirring ballads to foot-stomping singalongs, creating performances that leave audiences singing, laughing, and feeling connected. Their shows are about more than songs—they foster a sense of community, where strangers can become friends through shared music. Their debut album, Distant Shores, captures the vibrant spirit and heritage of their performances.

The Strating Sisters are twin vocalists whose lifelong connection creates a distinctive harmony shaped by shared experience and musical intuition. Rooted in Irish traditional music and the Melbourne folk scene, they honour tradition while bringing it into a living, contemporary context. Raised in a musical family, Nicola and Corinn first encountered music in the warmth of their local folk club, sleeping nearby as children. Today they bring that same authenticity to stages across Melbourne and beyond, performing rousing tunes and haunting songs with technical skill and emotional depth embodying the spirit of community and connection at the heart of folk music.

The Surround are a new, captivating group of young Traditional Irish musicians from across Victoria. Playing upbeat tunes and carefully arranged songs, they intertwine cultural knowledge and repertoire. Recent participants of the Lake School's 'Stars of the Lake' program, The Surround are quickly forging their place on the Australian folk scene.

One man band Tim Scanlan teams up with fiddler Mana Okubo from ‘John John Festival’, mixing ancient tunes and drones with modern beats and sounds. Songs and tunes for dancing, a festival goer recently described it as a psychedelic ceili.

Timlin’s Green is a six-piece Celtic rock band from Adelaide, formed in 2024 and rapidly gaining attention. Taking traditional Irish tunes like Tell Me Ma and Whiskey in the Jar and infusing them with violin, guitar, and drum-driven energy, they transform familiar songs into vibrant, audience-engaging experiences. Their shows mix music, storytelling, humour, and anecdotes about the songs and their characters, creating an immersive atmosphere that keeps crowds leaning in. Timlin’s Green are best known for their high-energy performances and joyous Celtic music!

Trioc is a well-established act on Australia’s folk festival circuit, known for their intimate and relaxed chamber approach to Irish traditional music. Since debuting at the National Folk Festival in 2015 and releasing their first album in 2017, they have become a familiar presence on festival stages nationwide. Their repertoire spans jigs, reels, hornpipes and airs, presented through inventive and sensitive arrangements that create a sound both earthy and ethereal. Comfortable in both acoustic and amplified settings, Trioc also bring extensive experience in leading workshops, sharing their instruments and collaborative approach to music-making with audiences.

Wattle Lane is an acclaimed indie-folk duo from Naarm (Melbourne), featuring award-winning songwriter Cate Taylor on voice, guitar, and mandolin, and multi-instrumentalist Amla on flute, violin, and vocals. Their original songs weave stories of people, place, and the environment, balancing contemporary folk with occasional traditional influences. Known for their harmonies, engaging performance style, and audience participation, they have performed at festivals, folk clubs, and regional venues, including the special 50th Maldon Festival. Cate’s accolades include the Roddy Read Song Competition (2022) and ASA songwriting shortlistings (2023–24). Wattle Lane brings heartfelt storytelling and vibrant musicianship to every stage.