19-Twenty are a high-energy blues and roots trio known for electrifying live shows. Formed in 2010, the band features Kane Dennelly (vocals/guitar), Jeremy Berg (drums) and John Gwilliam (double bass). Their sound blends blues, roots and rock with foot-stomping rhythms, soulful vocals, intricate guitar work and a driving rhythm section. Renowned for infectious stage energy, they connect with audiences through dynamic performances.

Apolline’s gigs are filled with tunes from Scotland, Ireland, Canada and New Zealand, plus original Australian tunes and songs inspired by these styles. Their intricate, driven arrangements and genre‑bending sound draw diverse crowds, connecting listeners through foot‑stomping sets and fresh takes on folk traditions. AFMA Youth Artists of the Year 2024, this trio of fiddle, cello and double bass brings youthful energy and original songs to every performance.

Melbourne’s Austral fuse Celtic-inspired tunes with didgeridoo, Irish pipes, foot percussion and fiery fiddle to create a sound that’s brings high energy. They perform original instrumental sets and songs with themes of justice, place and connection, moving seamlessly from intimate concert sets to full-blown dance parties. With four powerhouse multi-instrumentalists, Austral bring tight tunes and raw energy to every performance and dance.

The Australian Morris Ring unites dancers from across the country, performing morris styles and traditions from throughout England. With bells, sticks, hankies, and accordions, they bring this living tradition to life on stage and in the street. Audiences can enjoy energetic displays and take part in family-friendly workshops that share the spirit and fun of morris dancing.

Bobby Alu crafts songs that are soulful, rhythmic, and full of island ease. A singer, drummer and ukulele strummer of Samoan and Australian heritage, he blends Polynesian folk, roots, reggae, and tropical pop into grooves that make you move and breathe a little deeper. Backed by a stellar band (plus special guest—his mum, Foloi Iulia!), Bobby’s live show weaves silky harmonies with Samoan log drums and heartfelt lyrics. It’s music for all ages, full of joy, generosity and good rhythm.

With exceptional drumming, dancing, singing and composing, Bortier Okoe channels the spirit of Ghana through music that unites and uplifts. His dynamic band blends traditional and modern sounds—kpalogo drums, djembe, horns and more—while Bortier sings in English, Ga, Twi and Ewe, sharing messages of peace, resilience and joy. For Bortier, drumming is more than rhythm—it’s voice, healing, and connection. Bortier Okoe is appearing in partnership with Nexus Arts.

Broken Creek reimagines rural Australian folk traditions, blending old-time banjo, flat-picked guitar and fiddle. Erin and Lachlan rework bush songs and tunes for today through close-knit, conversational playing. Expect original songs about small-town Australia, landscape-inspired tunes, and Folk from the Archive, reviving rare material from Sally Sloane and the National Library.

Melbourne-based songwriter and performer Bruce is a leading voice in the Australian folk tradition, appearing at festivals and venues across the country and internationally. His latest project is a video tribute to the greats of the folk scene who are no longer with us, blending photos, film and recordings to honour their music, passion and legacy in shaping Australia’s cultural identity.

Bush Traditions is an ACT-based not-for-profit association fostering Australia’s colonial-style folk music traditions. Founded in 2006 by a small group of enthusiasts including Ray Mulligan, the organisation supports sessions, gatherings and research celebrating historic Australian tunes. It also maintains the Bush Traditions Tune Archive, an online collection documenting traditional repertoire and sources for musicians and researchers.

Led by Jackie Luke, Greg Wilson and Amanda Pickering, the Canberra English Session is a popular gathering of musicians who meet fortnightly at Smith’s Alternative to share the best of English traditional music. From jigs, polkas and 3/2 hornpipes to airs, waltzes and maggots, the group celebrates both historic and contemporary tunes now central to the English dance and session tradition. With an emphasis on fun and inclusivity, they bring this vibrant repertoire to the Festival.

Music for Canberra is a not-for-profit organisation building the next generation of musicians in the ACT through youth programs in orchestra, choir and concert band. Its flagship Canberra Youth Orchestra has supported young musicians since 1968, with roots dating back to 1967. In 2026, Music for Canberra celebrates 60 years of community music making, marking the milestone alongside the National Folk Festival while keeping music accessible, welcoming and inspiring for young people.

Charley Castle & the Boys in the Well deliver a fresh brand of Australian newgrass that is fast-paced, harmony-rich and made for dancing and tears alike. The quartet marries bygone country and folk with modern sensibilities, featuring acoustic guitar, mandolin and double bass. Winners of Tamworth Country Music Festival’s 2025 Best of the Buskers, they bring a modern Australian take on tradition with tight interplay, strong songs and that unmistakable southern flavour.

Charlotte Ekkel is a queer indie-folk singer-songwriter from Melbourne (Wurundjeri Country). With poetic lyricism and intricate guitar work, her songs explore cycles of love, loss and change in parallel with nature. Charlotte released her debut album ‘Changing of the Seasons’ in June 2025, recorded with artist & producer Rowena Wise.

Chloe and Jason Roweth have spent over thirty years exploring and performing the living tradition of Australian music, poetry and folklore. With vocals, guitar, mandolin, tenor banjo and concertina, they present room-stopping recitations and seamless combinations of new and old Australian material, delivered with the easy warmth of old-style bush entertainment. Jason also performs spoken word, drawing from Lawson, Kevans, Dengate and others.

Chutney is a six-piece klezmer folk fusion band featuring violin, clarinet, keyboards, bass, drums, and percussion. Drawing on Eastern European and Middle Eastern heritage, they perform originals and reimagined traditional dance tunes. Their sound moves freely between folk, pop, jazz, tango, classical, and funk, creating a vibrant mix that always gets audiences dancing.

Highwire Entertainment presents Circus Hokum, first staged at the National Folk Festival 15 years ago. Curated by long-time friend of the Festival El (Elena Kirschbaum), this daily family-friendly afternoon show brings some of the best acrobats and circus performers in the country together with live music from Shark & Fox, creating a unique new show just for us! For young and old and everyone in between, get lost in a world of circus, live music and joyful chaos.

Clare Perrott is an alt-folk singer songwriter from Perth, Western Australia. A lover of Americana and folk-rock with influences from Joni Mitchell to Faye Webster, Clare pairs soft, twangy vocals with raw, honest lyrics and nylon strings that bring feeling to everything she plays. Fresh from performing at Woodford Folk Festival in Brisbane, she is making waves across Australia with her debut release ‘Philadelphia’.

Comhaltas Sydney Céilí Band was formed in 2023 by County Tyrone fiddler Edel McBride. Bringing the tradition of céilí bands such as the Kilfenora to life in Sydney, the group features musicians from both Ireland and Australia and includes many of the finest players of Irish music in Sydney. Join them for a gentle introduction or a cranking session at the Festival.

Join Con Folk (the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Folk Ensemble) for an experience of some of the most loved tunes and songs of the British Isles. Directed by Dr Kathryn Roberts Parker, folklorist and cultural historian, you'll hear the history of many tunes that are most widely known in the celtic music traditions of England, Scotland and Wales alongside fantastic performances by some of the most brightest up and coming musicians of the next generation.

A vibrant presence in Melbourne’s folk scene through craft, music and dance, UK-born Coral Reid champions English folk traditions. She’s a skilled fiddle teacher, dance leader, and workshop host known for her welcoming, inclusive style. A prolific promoter of folk arts online, Coral founded the English Traditions series and Clean Hands Create. Join her daily rapper sword workshops and perform in the Farewell Concert.

Dabke and Tatreez celebrates Palestinian cultural heritage through the music and dance traditions of the Levant. With artists newly arrived from Palestine (including graduates of the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music) and Australian-based musicians with heritage in the region, they honour stories of resilience through percussion, plucked strings, accordions, and voice. At the heart of their performances is Dabke, a communal dance of unity and celebration, passed down through generations.

Dale Dengate, Kerith Power and “Molly” Jane Ellis are seasoned performers bringing bold, witty and thoughtful songs to the stage as Don’t Be Too Polite Girls. With decades of festival experience, they honour the work of folk pioneers like Glen Tomasetti and John Dengate while adapting and composing sharp commentary on contemporary issues. Expect saucy and serious songs, singalong choruses, and plenty of spirit.

Dallahan are one of the UK’s most exciting contemporary folk bands, rooted in the traditional music of Scotland and Ireland. Featuring accordion, fiddle, guitar, banjo and song, they blend Celtic foundations with flavours from the Balkans and North America. Dallahan create an energetic world-folk sound that is both adventurous and deeply grounded. Their live shows move effortlessly between dazzling instrumentals and soul-stirring ballads, delivered with charm, precision and passion.

David “Oddsocks” Wanless is a Hobart-based dance caller with a passion for joyful, inclusive dancing. He has called with bands across Tasmania, Australia and internationally - from Antarctica to Canada and France. With a repertoire spanning Balfolk, Klezmer, Contra, Irish, Scottish, bush, Regency and Southern US Squares, he also calls his own original compositions. Known for his fun, energetic style, David gets everyone moving, no matter their experience.

Dee Palanisamy (Deelightfultales) shares storytelling inspired by her Singaporean-Tamil roots, blending Asian folktales, personal stories, and rhythmic expression. Her performances use voice, movement, and humour to engage audiences of all ages, creating space for stories that cross cultures and generations while bringing old wisdom into the present.

Blending experience and youthful energy, the Dividing Range Dancers span the Great Dividing Range from Sydney to Canberra. With a history of bush dances, balls, and workshops, they’re dedicated to keeping folk dance traditions alive and thriving. Catch them popping up in impromptu performances across the Festival site, or join the floor as they team up with Austral for the rollicking Bushrangers Ball—supporting beginners, keeping the rhythm, and celebrating 60 years of dance at the Festival.

Double Dole Stringband brings a driving, inventive take on old-time music with fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar, and vocals ranging from sweet to rowdy. Alongside original tunes, they call energetic dances, host inclusive sessions, and keep the picking going late into the night—offering a foot-stomping blend of tradition, politics, grief, and love of native birds.

Warning: may cause harmony with the environment! Led by Miguel Heatwole, Ecopella is a passionate a cappella choir using music to inspire climate action. Since 1998, they’ve brought satire, beauty and protest to folk festivals, rallies and concert halls alike, spreading their environmental message with wit, warmth and clarity. Even when the message turns serious, the strength and solemnity of their harmony uplifts, provokes, and moves the listener to reflect and act.

Elias Alexander (US) is a multi-instrumentalist and producer who blends the beauty of traditional Scottish and American folk with the pulse of EDM, lo-fi, disco, house, and hip hop beats. With bagpipes, fiddle, whistles, guitar, and synths, he crafts richly layered live sets—cathartic dance journeys with sounds both ancient and immediate. His rare ability to move and connect with audiences continues to shape transformative live experiences.

Folk Alliance Australia is the national peak body for the folk music sector. As a membership-based not-for-profit, it supports musicians, songwriters, festivals, venues, and cultural practitioners with professional development, networking, and affordable insurance. FAA organises the annual Australian Folk Music Awards and the Folk Festivals Conference, fostering collaboration, promoting Australian folk at home and abroad, and connecting the community through advocacy and resources.

Folk the System run sessions that connect folk music with movements for change and resistance. They invite participants to share songs, stories, and collective energy that support social, political, and environmental action. Music and art serve as protest tools and as a way to replenish and sustain communities. Workshops in singing and storytelling will be offered, continuing the tradition of collective creativity and connection.

Fred Smith is a songwriter, diplomat, poet, and raconteur whose work blends folk and country traditions with wry humour, lyrical insight, and emotional depth. In the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours he was awarded an Order of Australia for services to music and foreign affairs. With whip-smart lyrics, wry humour, lovely melodies, a brain and a heart, his songs reverberate with the prophetic voice of humanity.

Gaumarjos (meaning “victory” in Georgian) brings together three Melbourne-based ensembles: The Melbourne Georgian Choir, Gorani and Tsinskaro. Specialising in traditional Georgian songs, they share music of love, fortune, lost children, heroic climbs, and the perfect house - alongside glorious chants, church songs and even yodelling! Members have travelled to Georgia many times to learn directly from cultural custodians. Presented in partnership with The Boite.

Gerry Gillespie and Martin Royds work at the intersection of environmental care, community education and sustainable practice. Drawing on decades of hands-on experience with waste reduction, organics, soil health and ecological thinking, they invite practical, hopeful conversations about how communities can rethink waste. Their shared approach centres connection to land, responsibility, and everyday actions that support long-term environmental care and promote nutrient density in food for the health of everyone.

Hayden delivers emotive Australian stories, blending issue-centric lyrics most often associated to Folk, but with a gritty Americana style. Hayden’s debut album, ‘Too Young’ was produced by Brandon ‘Dingo’ Dodd, recorded at the creative home of Brando and Kasey Chambers and has been received with wide-ranging critical applause.

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. Whether you enjoy dancing, head bopping, toe tapping or becoming gently immersed to observe the finer details, the music of Homebru has something for everyone.

Invy Horn Jam is a colourful, mobile street band bringing groove, joy and dance moves to every corner of the Festival. With up to 20 horn players, plus banjo and percussion, they fire up singalong echo lines, crankin’ solos and feel-good tunes. Led by Strat and Lyndal, this roving crew turns any space into a party. You might stumble on a surprise street jam. If you do, feel free to dance along or jump in and make some noise!

Irish Mythen (they/them) is a JUNO-nominated, multi-award-winning Irish-born Canadian singer-songwriter whose formidable voice and fearless songwriting have taken them from Glastonbury to the Sydney Opera House. Based in Prince Edward Island, Mythen delivers raw, moving performances that can command a festival main stage or hush a theatre to silence, forging deep connection with audiences worldwide.

Jamie McAvinue is a spoken word artist from Dublin whose work explores life’s big questions and the nature of existence. Expressed in a scientifically spiritual style, his performances also address social themes including men’s mental health, women’s rights and domestic safety. Blending humour and honesty, Jamie invites audiences to reflect, laugh, and be moved by words that challenge and inspire.

Jan ‘Yarn’ Wositzky is a storyteller, musician and founding member of the Bushwackers Band, known for bringing theatre into the folk tradition. Penny Glass is an actor and musician with roots in Brisbane’s Latin music scene, recently returned from two decades directing community theatre in Chile. Together, they combine decades of performance, activism and cultural exchange to create moving, cross-cultural work that invites reflection, dialogue and connection.

Drawing from the great Australian writers - Henry Lawson, Roger Montgomery, Denis Kevans, John Dengate and others, Jason will take you on a journey, make you laugh, and make you really think. Expect a unique and dynamic combination of new and old Australian traditional poems, yarns and observations, where items are treated as pieces of a larger puzzle, and explicitly connected, to make every show a themed presentation on various aspects of Australian culture and social history

Judy Small AM, the Grande Dame of Australian folk, joins the Festival as a special guest. A pioneering songwriter whose feminist and social justice anthems have been sung across Australia and beyond since the late 1970s, Judy brings decades of insight as an advocate and community voice. Across interviews and special events, she reflects on folk traditions, protest music, and the LGBTIQ+ stories in the Australian folk scene and beyond. Expect generous conversation, sharp perspective, and a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Karen Lee Andrews blends soul, gospel, blues, and her Polynesian heritage into an earthy and powerful sound. A singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with over 20 years of performing across Australia, Europe, and Canada, she brings passion, vulnerability, and story to every show. Her music reflects identity, spirituality, and community, carrying traditions passed down through generations while creating her own place on the contemporary stage.

Kate Burke is one of Australia’s most beloved folk musicians. This year, Kate is releasing her debut solo album, a collection of original songs produced by two-time CMAA Producer of the Year Shane Nicholson. Showcasing her long-neglected piano skills, Kate and her band bring something truly special to modern Australian folk and country music.

Katharina is an evocative spoken word artist, painter, musician and novelist whose performances pair Spanish guitar with vivid, electric imagery. She brings passion and decadence to the stage, inviting audiences into worlds that challenge and inspire. She won the 2023 Northern Territory Literary Awards for poetry and was the NT Young Australian of the Year in 2007.

Kengugró bursts onto the Festival stage with the swirling skirts, rhythmic slaps and fiery footwork of Carpathian Basin dance. Since 1986, they’ve shared vibrant traditions from Hungary, Slovakia and Transylvania across Australia and Europe. Backed by folk band The Transylvaniacs, their performances are a feast of movement, music and song. You might catch them in surprise spots around the Festival, so keep an eye (and ear) out!

Kiran is a professional storyteller who has spent 25 years sharing tales with audiences around the world. She delights in traditional folktales, carrying the wisdom of generations, and especially loves stories from her Indian heritage. Believing deeply in the power of oral storytelling to engage, educate and heal, Kiran brings warmth, empathy and imagination to every performance, connecting people through the timeless magic of a story well told.

Kompactus is a Canberra-based youth chamber choir with a love of clashing harmonies, beautiful melodies and the occasional song about chickens. For 15 years they’ve performed an eclectic mix of styles—from medieval madrigals and folk ballads to contemporary pop and choral oddities. With energy, humour and vocal finesse, they sing of butterflies, trains, bringing youthful energy and verve wherever they go.

Kooskõlas (“together in song”) is an Australian–Estonian choir performing stirring choral works that echo Estonia’s long tradition of song as resistance. With music ranging from joyful wedding tunes to laments of exile, they share stories of the Singing Revolution and their own experiences at Laulupidu - the massed choir celebration of Estonia reclaiming its voice. Look out for them popping up across the Festival with songs that speak from the soul.

With a voice both strong and tender, Melbourne singer-songwriter Kris Mizzi has earned his place among Australia’s most captivating folk artists. A master storyteller, he weaves beauty, truth, and vulnerability into songs that linger long after the final note. His live performances span joy, comedy, and deep emotion. Winner of the 2017 Troubadour Award and the 2021 Folk Alliance “Australian Solo Artist of the Year,” he continues to shine on the national folk scene.

Laura Targett is a fiddler and composer whose work draws on traditional Irish and Middle Eastern music, alongside classical and experimental influences. Alongside performing and recording, she leads community music initiatives, teaches traditional fiddle styles, and runs workshops that encourage creative expression and cultural appreciation, with a focus on making music accessible to everyone.

Led once again by musical director and curator Josh Bennett, the House Band underpins the Live at the National Variety Show, supporting a rotating lineup of fresh guest artists each day. We welcome back house band regular Kyrie Anderson on drums, joined this year by Isaac Gunnoo on double bass, with Parvyn as host and interviewer.

Liz Frencham is a Central Victorian singer-songwriter and double bassist whose music is a tender bear hug where folk, swing, and Americana entwine. She explores themes of neurodivergence, resilience, and self-acceptance through voice and bass. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Joni Mitchell and Neil Finn, she has collaborated widely across Australia and internationally, and is one of Australia's most loved and respected artists in the folk festival scene.

Liz Young is a Brisbane-based violinist, fiddler and educator who brings creativity, energy and heart to every performance. She plays across styles and settings — from family music in LizzieLand to collaborations with ensembles including Deep Blue Orchestra and Mendoza Tango Quartet — and connects joyfully with audiences of all ages.

Maatakitj is Noongar song-maker and guitarist Clint Bracknell from the southern coast of Western Australia. His songs in the Noongar language echo across the ancient landscapes of saltwater, sand dunes, granite and jarrah. Soaring songs and dances evoking birds, marine creatures, reptiles, rain and sunshine intermesh with hypnotic rhythms and desert blues guitar. Joined by celebrated Noongar artist Kylie Bracknell, his performances speak directly to ‘boodjar’ – Country.

Maeve Grieve is a Melbourne-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose music blends folk, jazz, and indie rock. Her debut EP Midnight Commute (2024) showcases distinctive narrative songwriting and intricate guitar work, exploring themes of journeys, change, and longing. A graduate of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, she is the inaugural winner of the LUMINA Composition Award at the Melbourne Women’s International Jazz Festival and a rising voice in Australia’s contemporary folk scene.

Maggie Carty is a banjo player and singer from the west coast of Ireland, now based in Naarm/Melbourne. A fourth-generation musician rooted in Irish tradition, she blends traditional songs with Americana and Australian folk influences. Her debut album Ebb and Flow, awarded Folk Album of the Year 2025 by Folk Alliance Australia, explores emigration and identity through evocative vocals and driving banjo rhythms.

Mandy Connell is a singer, guitarist, and songwriter renowned for her interpretations of contemporary and traditional songs, as well as her own powerful writing. Founder of Stray Hens and host of An Otherwise Quiet Room, she has collaborated widely, including a feature on David Francey’s award-winning Empty Train. Described as “a truly gifted performer” (Eric Bogle) and “a great talent” (Paul Brady), she will be performing songs from her new record The Girl Who Fell Off the Wall.

Jaga Band is a bold multicultural ensemble led by Ukrainian-Australian singer and violinist Mar’yana Jaga. Rooted in Ukrainian folk and reimagined through global sounds, their music fuses Eastern European melodies with jazz, Indian rhythms and electronic textures. With Jewish jazz pianist Alex Parkmen and tabla maestro Maharshi Raval (who also brings electro-harmonic layers) the band creates a sound that is rich, rhythmic and unpredictable.

Margaret and Bob Fagan are founder members of Australia’s pre-eminent folk music family, The Fagans. From the Blue Mountains, they begin their musical journey together in Canberra in the late 1960s and become favourites at festivals across Australia, performing both as a duo and with The Fagans. Their repertoire blends politically-edged traditional and contemporary songs with lyrical ballads and great choruses, featuring Margaret’s pure voice and Bob’s guitar playing.

The MarimbaTaters are energetic senior primary students from Tate Street Primary in East Geelong who bring African-inspired marimba music to life. Playing complex, multi-part arrangements with confidence and joy, they perform works by icons like Jon Madin, Linsey Pollak, and Andy Rigby—plus their own compositions. Led by Dani Rocca and joined by Adam Burke, they also run daily ensemble workshops where families can join in the fun.

Mark Atkins is a didgeridoo player of Yamitji and Irish/Australian heritage, known internationally for collaborative projects with leading composers and musicians. A storyteller, composer, percussionist, visual artist and instrument maker, he brings the ancient instrument into orchestral works and contemporary composition. At the Festival he performs in collaboration with British-Australian composer and improvising musician Keyna Wilkins, including a special performance of her didgeridoo concerto Celestial Emu (Dhinawan) with the Canberra Youth Orchestra.

Martyn Wyndham-Read is a renowned English folk singer with deep ties to Australia’s folk traditions. After moving from Sussex to South Australia in 1958, he absorbed the songs of station hands and became part of the 1960s folk revival in Sydney and Melbourne. Returning to England in 1967, he built a celebrated career interpreting English, Irish, and Australian ballads, producing over 40 albums and performing at festivals worldwide.

Iranian-born musician Maryam Rahmani brings the shimmering sounds of the santoor—a Persian hammered dulcimer—to life, blending tradition with contemporary expression. She also plays the kamancheh, a bowed string instrument. Since moving to Adelaide in 2019, she has performed with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Australian Art Orchestra. Presented in partnership with Nexus Arts, her music is shaped by movement, memory, and the delicate pull between tradition and transformation.

Maypole with Molly brings colour, music and movement to the Festival with joyful, family-friendly maypole dancing. Founded by accordionist and retired early childhood teacher Erika Cleaver, the group invites kids and adults alike to weave ribbons and create patterns together. With Philip calling the dances and a team of dancers supporting, Maypole with Molly offers an inclusive, hands-on tradition that’s fun for all ages.

Mickey & Michelle’s Restrung unites celebrated festival headliners with the lush sound of a full string orchestra for a one-night-only concert. Original songs are reimagined through soaring arrangements that blend intimacy with symphonic power. A fan favourite on the Australian festival circuit, Restrung has captivated audiences at the National Folk Festival, National Celtic Festival, River Folk Festival, and Dorrigo Folk Festival.

Narthanalaya Indian Dance and Music celebrates South India’s vibrant heritage through Kolattam — a dynamic stick dance from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu — and Kummi, a joyful clapping circle dance from Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Blending these traditions with elements of classical Indian dance and live music, their performance bursts with colour, rhythm, and community spirit, inviting audiences into a joyful cross-cultural exchange.

Natalie & Brittany Haas unite cello and fiddle shaped by Bach and Old-Time roots. Natalie, the Folk Cello Queen, put cello on the contemporary Celtic music map, bringing sophisticated rhythmic drive and sparkling compositions. Brittany is the leading old-time fiddler of her generation, bringing joyous, uplifting tides of dazzling melody and improvisation. Together, their music moves from Nashville to Norway, from the Celtic Isles to California: melodic, agile, groovy, and deeply connected.

Chilean-born Noni Espinosa creates music rooted in Latin American folk and alive with contemporary energy. Singing and playing the charango (Andean lute), guitar, and traditional flutes like kena and sikus, Noni draws on styles such as cueca, tonada and Latin folk-rock. His performances honour artists like Violeta Parra and Víctor Jara, blending social conscience, Andean texture, and poetic songwriting. Presented in partnership with Nexus Arts, his music speaks of heritage and hope.

Octave & Knott are mischief-makers with a harp, a recorder, a heap of juggling knives, and no intention of staying quiet! This bardic duo blend music, circus, chaos and charm into a highly interactive show where anything can happen—and usually does. Whether you're laughing, swooning, or screeching along with their spontaneous recorder choir, you’re part of the fun. Expect whimsy, wildness, and just enough danger to keep you hooked.

Poet and reciter Oliver Roweth (he/it) has been a regular on festival stages since he was six years old. His original free-verse poems combine the influences of slam and bush poetry, covering themes of neurodivergence, queerness, and the unique ways in which the two intersect. His most recent project is a poetry collection titled "Growing Out Of It: self-portrait of a queer autistic teenager".

Olivia Lay is an acoustic musician whose guitar playing and storytelling span folk, blues and roots. She has supported Ruby Fields, Baker Boy, Thirsty Merc and Nathan Cavaleri, and performed at NYE on the Hill and Queenscliff Music Festival. A regional battle of the bands winner in 2019, Olivia’s sets feature intricate guitar techniques such as right-hand tapping and percussive guitar, paired with profound lyricism.

Paul Mortimer, known as Mort, has been part of Sydney’s folk and Irish music community since 1979. Playing Irish flute and tenor banjo, he is Secretary of the Irish National Association and a long-time supporter of the National Folk Festival. With decades of friendships across folk clubs, dance, song and poetry, Paul brings deep connections to traditions that span Irish, Scottish, English and world music.

Peter Pentland, aka Hayseed, performs traditional-styled songs and bush poetry from the hay(seed)day of Australian folk music. He tells stories of farm and bush life in South-Eastern Australia. He put culture into agriculture. His “Beaut Little Fergie Tractor” album, recorded live at the Dan O'Connell Hotel in 1978, opened the door to a career in stand-up comedy, radio and television (if you count Shirl's Neighbourhood). He has head-lined at both folk and poetry festivals.

Phil Jamison is a legendary American square dance caller, flatfoot dancer, old-time fiddler—and a leading scholar of Appalachian music and dance. With fifty years of experience at festivals worldwide, he leads high-energy square dances that are fun, inclusive, and open to all—no experience needed. Backed by a live stringband, Phil brings deep tradition, humour and warmth to every call. Expect toe-tapping tunes, do-si-dos, and stories behind the steps.

Pirritu (Brett Lee) is a Ngiyampaa man and First Nations singer-songwriter. His music is gentle, honest and from the heart, with strange and melodic chords framing vocals that weave around his lyrics, telling stories of sadness, love and hope. Adopted by a non-Aboriginal couple as a newborn, he was raised to be proud of his Aboriginality, and to follow his cultural journey to connect back to family, culture and language. He volunteers with the Ngiyampaa Language Project and sits on the Board of Songlines.

Pria Schwall-Kearney teaches and performs Québécois fiddle music, weaving fiddle with foot percussion and occasional bass pedals. A formative year in Montreal shapes her repertoire and technique, alongside study of Appalachian music and Round Peak bowing. She tours Australia and New Zealand with the Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club, String Theory and Chinook, playing for festivals, dancehalls and community events.

QYFO is a youth folk ensemble founded in 2020 by Emma Nixon. Bringing together young string players, they explore traditional and contemporary tunes from Australia, England, Celtic, and Scandinavian traditions. The group has performed at festivals and folk clubs including The Gathering, Woodford, Maleny, and The BUg in Brisbane. QYFO share their love of music through energetic performances that highlight both their playing and the friendships formed through it.

Keith Preston, Uma Preston & Deborah Baldassi are a skilled trio of folk performers who bring history to life through song, puppetry and storytelling. Their acclaimed show Railway Bob follows the true tale of a shaggy dog who rode the trains of 1880s Australia and became a South Australian folk legend. With original songs, narration and exquisite puppetry, they also present the classic Punch and Judy with cheek and charm.

From Italy, Riccardo Tesi & Giua present “Retablos”, a duo concert where singer-songwriter voice meets diatonic accordion tradition. Friends and collaborators for over twenty years, they blend folk songs, original instrumentals and songwriting into a sonic journey across emotional and geographical landscapes. Inspired by Peruvian retablos—portable story boxes—their music opens windows onto stories of a changing world, balancing memory and the future.