Albi & The Wolves (New Zealand)
As a proud albino man with a big bushy white beard, Chris Dent (Albi) makes for a striking figure. With his smooth, almost angelic voice and warm gentle demeanour, he naturally captures and holds his audience’s attention by just being the man he is. On stage he is joined by his wolves, Pascal Roggen and Micheal Young. This pack, with a line up including Violin, Double Bass, Guitar and rich three-part vocal harmonies, come together with a massive sound to play everything from your soul-stirring ballads to your ear worming, foot stomping hoe downs.
Fred Smith (ACT)
2022 Australian Folk Music Awards Solo Artist of the Year, “Fred Smith is simply the best folk/country musician working in this country…beyond writing some of the finest songs about Australians at war, he has created a repertoire that is wry, literate, witty, powerfully emotional and insightful.” (Bruce Elder, SMH). Whip-smart lyrics, wry humour, some lovely melodies, a big brain and a bigger heart, he consistently offers performances rich in thought and feeling. Fred is the subject of an Australian Story documentary about his work in Afghanistan and on peace keeping operations in the war-torn islands of the South Pacific. His song-cycles have become important historical documents bringing to life the human complexities of the countries he has worked in: PNG, the US and most recently Afghanistan. With a rich back catalogue of songs and new material, Fred Smith never repeats a song at a festival. This year, supported by Australia’s most sensitive accompanists, he will be presenting songs from his rich back catalogue and his new show ‘Domesticity’. “Fred Smith is an Australian national treasure. Diplomat, philosopher, poet and raconteur, his songs reverberate with the prophetic voice of humanity.”
(Peter Wilkins, Canberra Critics Circle)
Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham (NSW)
Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham (of the Waifs) have a collective haul of Golden Guitars, ARIA Awards, multi-platinum album sales and extensive touring over nearly three decades, that serves as a readymade conventional definition of success. But there are many ways in which success can be defined, and when the irresistible forces of music and love brought Felicity and Josh together, they set in motion something wildly successful and truly special. Joyous and uncontrived, their music translates seamlessly from album to stage, with masterful musicianship on a humble array of guitars and banjo’s providing the perfect vehicle to transport their exquisite songwriting directly to the heart. It’s stripped back and doesn’t need dressing up to be full of life and energy. The pairing is unexpected, the songs unforgettable and the aura unique. Untainted by the demands of fashion, Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham are able to be who they are in an unpretentious way that description cannot fully capture, and experience alone can convey.
Alan Reid (Scotland)
has performed Scottish folk music all over the world for more than four decades. An integral member of Scotland’s Battlefield Band (1969/2010) his use of keyboards, interpretations of traditional songs and his story style songwriting on Scottish themes helped cement the band’s status as an innovative and enduring group, influencing many successive generations of Scottish folk outfits.. For 20 years Alan also had a highly fruitful collaboration with singer/guitarist Rob van Sante, releasing 5 albums, adding to the 25+ albums recorded with the ‘Batties’. As a solo performer Alan’s easy and engaging stage manner has delighted audiences everywhere.
Michael Waugh (Vic)
Michael’s insightful tributes to friends, family and parenthood are simultaneously deeply personal and nationally recognisable; we see our own brothers, parents, pubs, rivers, struggles and joys reflected in the faces of those characters who live large in Michael’s songs. Michael is a songwriter’s songwriter, a compelling live performer and an extraordinary storyteller. Among his admirers are the legendary Eric Bogle, alt. country luminaries Shane Nicholson & Fanny Lumsden as well as Josh Cunningham from The Waifs. His 2019 album The Weir received two Golden Guitar nominations – Male Artist of the Year and Alt Country Album of the Year – as well as a nomination at the 2020 Victorian Music Awards. In 2022 Dirty River, Michael’s tribute to his home town of Melbourne from his most recent album The Cast, was voted Heritage Song of the Year at the Golden Guitar Awards. The album also received a Golden Guitar nomination for Alt Country Album of the Year as well as nominations in the Australian Folk Music Awards and the Victorian Music Awards. Michael’s latest single We Are Here, the first from his forthcoming album ‘Beauty & Truth’, is a celebration of gay men through history who have stood up against persecution, sometimes at the cost of their lives, to make it safe for queer people to be visible and proud. In Michael’s words, ‘this is a thank you to all of those heroes who made it ok for me to be able to stand here in my rainbow trimmed blundstone boots and say – ‘this is who I am’’. In the folk tradition of heritage stories, We Are Here tells about how we got to be here, and how we must stand as a community to make it safe for who comes next.
Alana Wilkinson (NSW)
2023 Roddy Read Songwriting award winner – Award winning songwriter Alana Wilkinson continues to emerge as one of the most loved artists on the Australian folk scene. Since 2018 Alana has turned heads with a string of triumphant and much talked-about major festival appearances (Woodford, Queenscliff, Port Fairy) showcasing her wit, humor and insightful social commentary. Combining delicate melodies with disarmingly insightful vignettes about the human condition, Wilkinson is a smiling assassin. Her songs skewer ex-lovers, ridiculous social norms and the absurd challenges of a suburban upbringing in a merciless, yet strangely affectionate way, leaving audiences feeling like they’re sitting in her living room, chatting about life over a steaming cuppa.
Jenny Mitchell (NZ)
“She exudes confidence and passion for her mahi… she clearly recognises the importance of creating a show,” 13th Floor, July 2023
Originally from Gore and now calling Wellington home, Jenny Mitchell is adynamic storyteller who is rapidly capturing fans across the motu and the globe. Audiences can expect a show full of warmth wrapped in Jenny’s signature folk/alt-country sound (think The Chicks + Norah Jones). Her 2022 album, Tug of War, received a 4 star Rolling Stone review, a 2022Aotearoa Music Award nomination and is the home of the empowering anthem; Trouble Finds a Girl. (Please note the following statement is confidential till early 2024). In 2024, Jenny is set to play Australian festivals, an Ireland/UK tour and release a brand new record crafted in a homestead in rural Wairarapa. No stranger to the road, Jenny was an official showcase artist at BIGSOUND 2022 (AU) and Folk Alliance International 2023 (U.S), has graced dozens of festival stages across NZ and Australia, shared festival bills with Sir Dave Dobbyn and supported artists including Tami Neilson, Fanny Lumsden and Nadia Reid.
Enda Kenny (Vic)
Enda is an Irish-born songwriter who has made his home in Australia. Through ten independent albums, his thoughtful, descriptive stories have struck a chord with festival audiences worldwide. A string of early songwriting awards have led to a full time career as one of the best entertainers in the world of folk and acoustic music. His songs are always memorable, often hard-hitting and spiced with plenty of humour. Now residing near Mount Beauty in the Victorian Alps, Enda is touring extensively throughout Australia and is a regular visitor to New Zealand, UK, Ireland, Holland and Germany. Enda is the latest Artist of The Year at Newstead Live Music Festival. “On small stages to intimate audiences or large stages to festival audiences he always holds the crowd in the palm of his hand. Witty and intelligent songwriting and a brilliant night’s entertainment” Eleanor McEvoy His latest release After The Interval will have a launch at Maldon in November.
Leroy Johnson & The Waterbag Band (NSW)
sing campfire songs and ballads from the heart. The soulful voice of Mutawintji’s Park Ranger is joined by mandolin, double bass, didgeridoo and harmonies for a little bit of folk, and a little bit of country, blending traditional music, with ancient and contemporary stories. Leroy Johnson is the first Aboriginal Park Manager of Mutawintji. He is a Barkindji/Malyangaapa man with strong connections to the lower Baaka (Darling) communities in far western NSW. Over the past twenty years Leroy has been performing and writing music about self-determination, connection to country, culture and family. Leroy is joined by a band of Broken Hill musicians; bringing a little bit of folk and a little of country to his songs about deep love for country and the stories it holds.
Robyn Martin (NSW)
Robyn presents an intimate and soulful live music experience. Her distinctive voice and thought-provoking folk and indie-leaning arrangements wrap the listener up and invite them on a journey into the beauty, complexity & fragility of the human experience. With a sound that is distinctly Australian, her music traverses a wide terrain from deep pocket soul, mixed with heart warming, thought provoking folk sensibilities, to the occasional banjo driven hoedown singalong and a sprinkle of grungy angst rock.
The Nightingales (Claire Patti, Maria Forde, Tracey Roberts) (Vic)
These three exceptionally talented singers, songwriters and musicians are powerhouses within Australia’s music scene. With a wealth of experience and album releases between them, performing both as soloists and within a variety of musical groups across multiple genres including folk, jazz and Celtic music, they are a formidable combination comprising vocals, harp, guitar, piano and more. Together, their voices are dynamic and captivating, their meaningful songs are beautifully constructed and arranged, and their harmonies and musical arrangements are simply exquisite. An unmissable act.
Sonia Smith & Glenn Skuthorpe (SA)
Sonia is a proud Kokatha First Nations Singer & Songwriter from the West Coast of South Australia. Sonia lives & works on Kaurna country in Adelaide, South Australia. Sonia’s music speaks of her life journey, struggles, love and triumphs. Supported by her backing band, Glenn Skuthorpe Band, this emerging talent is not to be missed.
Glenn Skuthorpe, along with band members Mike Haynes & Dave Branton, have musically mentored & supported Sonia Smith throughout her thriving musical journey. Glenn Skuthorpe and his band have had successful tours including Port Fairy Folk Festival, Byron Bay Blues Fest, Cygnet, Calgary, Edmonton Folk Festivals & Maldon Folk Festivals also
Nick Charles (Vic)
With dazzling melodic fingerpicking on six and twelve string guitars and a lifetime’s stories and songs gathered or written on the world’s musical highways it’s no surprise that Nick Charles has long been labelled internationally as “Australia’s virtuoso of acoustic roots and blues”.
During his extensive and acclaimed career, Nick has released sixteen albums on major Australian and US roots music labels. His recordings have garnered world-wide recognition beginning with “My Place” and now his most recent release “Blues and Beyond”.
This recognition has succeeded in having Nick signed to the Grammy Award winning label, Solid Air Records USA (“Home of the World’s Finest Guitarists”).
He has toured with and supported artists including John Hammond, Guy Clarke, Ralph McTell, Robyn Ford, Taj Mahal and BB King and toured the US thirteen times performing more than 300 shows stateside in recent years. In Australia he has been honoured with every conceivable award in folk and blues including Port Fairy Folk Festival Artist of the Year, AGE Blues Album of the Year and Blues Performer of the year. He has also twice won the Australian Song Contest.
His music encompasses a delightful and eclectic mix of acoustic roots including blues, folk, country and early ragtime jazz. Along the way there are stylish nods to the “Great American Songbook” and the finest contemporary players and composers from Chet Atkins to Lennon and McCartney to Leo Kottke. In the words of Sydney Morning Herald’s Bruce Elder “he plays guitar like an angel!” With an average 150 shows a year across the world, Nick Charles is known internationally as “Australia’s virtuoso of acoustic roots and blues”. His 40 year, 20 album career has seen him accumulate every conceivable accolade including Port Fairy Artist of the Year 2014 and he’s a twice winner of the Australian Song Contest. He’s toured with artists including John Hammond, Guy Clarke, Ralph McTell, Robyn Ford and BB King touring the US 13 times in recent years performing over 300 shows in North America. This is dazzling fingerpicking roots magic and a lifetime’s stories and songs from the world’s musical highways. In the words of Bruce Elder from the Sydney Morning Herald “he plays guitar like an angel!”
Suzette Herft (Vic)
Contemporary Troubadour, and recipient of the 2019 Folk Victoria Award for services to folk music. Suzette Herft has built a loyal following for her stunning voice, her soulful presence and award winning, heartfelt, uplifting original songs as well as her joyful renditions of well known covers. She is renowned for her masterful facilitation of singing and songwriting sessions, as well as for her tribute shows to Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. “Suzette sings from her soul, she glows when she sings… every song is plucked with precision from her heart” Mundy (Ireland). Suzette has recorded 6 albums and is currently working on her 7th album.
Rhiz & The Sugarplums (Vic)
Rhiz (Rhiannon McArthur) & The Sugarplums (Pete Daffy, Jordy Hickey and Mandy Keating) are a retro four-piece rockabilly/rock’n’roll band from Melbourne and Camperdown (VIC). By working authentic 1950’s-style feels into their original songs, Rhiz & The Sugarplums manage to revive an infectious genre of music from a long-gone era, capturing a rare nostalgic groove that’s hard to resist. Winners of The Troubadour Foundations “Best New Act Award” in 2023, the band are now launching their entirely original 12-track debut album produced by Luke Plumb (Australia) and Black Shack Recordings (Germany). Rhiz & The Sugarplums will have you captivated with harmony-filled songs one moment and then have the entire room up and grooving to some old-school rock’n’roll the next.
Sadie Mustoe (Vic)
Sadie is a contemporary pop-indie-folk music storyteller, captives audiences by immersing them in the world of a Melbourne-based young adult. The 2021 runner-up Folk Alliance Australia´s ´Youth Artist of the Year´ combines folk, pop, Celtic and classical influences creating a refined distinctive style evident in her 2023 EP “Shades of Yellow”. Despite her age of 20, Sadie has gathered an impressive array of songwriting and vocal awards and ten years of performance experience. She most recently won the 2022 Queenscliff Music Festival´s ´Foot in the Door’ competition. Sadie Mustoe released an album in 2015, aged 10, titled “Girl on the Hill” after winning the Maldon Minstrel Award, followed by her debut EP titled ´Up Left & Turn´ in 2018. The EP was a collaborative effort with the renowned Melbourne producer David Carr at Rangemaster. Since then, they have together created and released two singles “More” and “Open My Eyes” and most recently the EP “Shades of Yellow”. Sadie also worked with Anna Laverty on “Midnight”, released at the end of 2022 and is currently working on new material in 2024.
Out of Hand (Vic)
Self-described “moody” contemporary Celtic band, Out of Hand are two sets of siblings who discovered a shared passion in the music of their Celtic heritage. Toe-tapping tunes and lilting melodies, they blend both traditional music with original songs and sets. Performers Sadie (fiddle/vocals/guitar), Caleb (fiddle), Josh (guitar/vocals), Daniel (bass) and Charlie (bodhran/vocals/trombone) are all accomplished young musicians in their own rights. Caleb was elected ‘Face of the Festival’ for the National Celtic Festival 2019 and awarded a scholarship with Feis Ros in Scotland. Sadie was runner-up ‘Youth Folk Artist of the Year’ by the Australian Folk Alliance in 2021 and has over 30 festival appearances as a solo artist. Daniel and Josh both perform alongside their brother Caleb in the Melbourne Scottish Fiddlers Club and all five members are classically trained with Daniel and Sadie having played in the Melbourne Youth Orchestra. Together, the group has played a number of festivals and venues and have collected over 1.3M views on TikTok. With 4/5 living in Melbourne and 1/5 in Sydney, exciting things are afoot for Out of Hand in the years to come.
Kevin McCarthy (NT)
Crocodile Country – CROCODILE WARNING: global warming is allowing these slippery reptiles to slither down to the southern states in search of unsuspecting prey! After a good feed you will find Crocodile Country performing music from Australia’s Crocodile Coast … contemporary estuarine-inspired home-grown Territory music with Bite! A swag Croc Country originals include “She’s Me Troopy”, “Legend of Campbell the Swaggie”, “Arafura Queen”, “Wurrji”, “Darwin Town”, “Digger in Dublin”, “Katherine”, “The Ballad of Old Ma Hawkes”, “Our Northern Territory”, “Darwin Rubbish Warrior”, “Darwin From a 767”, “Me Old Cole Clark Guitar”, and the “Build-Up Blues”. The Crocs also perform a selection of popular Territory “classics”.
& Cyclone Tracy Golden Jubilee 1974 – 2024 – a multi-media showcase remembering life in Darwin before Cyclone Tracy, and reflecting on the impact it has had on Darwin and its people. Set on Christmas Eve, this is a roller-coaster ride through what was arguably Australia’s worst national disaster, featuring the music, vision, sounds, and personal recollections of the time
Katankin (Vic)
Katankin is the solo moniker of Melbourne indie-folk singer-songwriter and producer, Helen Catanchin. Born of Russian and Romanian migrant parents, and with a difficult, often harrowing family history, Katankin’s music is nevertheless an ode and testament to love, faith, and ultimately, hope. With an uniquely compelling and haunting voice accompanied by her delicate, finger style guitar-playing, and evocative, poetic writing, she unflinchingly plumbs the depths of the human condition – wading through despair, loathing, fear, rage, and revenge, then soaring to its greatest, sun-drenched heights. Katankin released her entirely self-produced debut EP “The quiet shimmer of the world” in late-2022, which was nominated for the Best Folk Work award by Music Victoria in 2023. She is currently producing her debut album, slated for release in late-2024.
Saije (NSW)
Saije is an award-winning, indie folk duo whose soulful harmonies, dynamic guitar-lines and percussive breakdowns breathe life into heartfelt stories. Their songwriting is crafted from the depths; stirring melodies bound together with graceful lyricism, and through multitasking techniques, the pair create a full-bodied sound enriched by flavours from their travels around the globe. After being awarded Folk Alliance Australia’s ‘Young Artist of the Year 2019-2021’ at the National Folk Festival, Saije has toured extensively in Australia, throughout Canada in 2020 and most recently a 43-date Europe and UK tour through 9 countries in 2023, playing a plethora of sold-out performances and festival appearances, including at Woodford Folk Festival (AUS), Blue Mountains Music Festival (AUS), Doolin Folk Festival (IRE), Tribal Gathering (CZ), Magpies Nest (UK) and an Official Showcase at Folk Alliance International (US). They continue to uplift both national and international audiences through their unifying performances and a warmth that fills small halls and overflows from large festival stages.
Bread and Drink and Painted Rooms (Trad folk)
Mandy Connell returns to her love of traditional and contemporary folk songs, combining themes of social justice and love with the heady harmonies of Anglo and Celtic inspired melodies. The former Stray Hens frontwoman is beloved for her intent and commanding stage presence and draws on a long tradition of folk from the Festivals in Brunswick to Darwin. David Francey (Canada) calls her one of his favorite trad voices ever, and Eric Bogle named her among the next generation of folk singers and Tony McManus hails her as a fine singer of Scots ballads. In Bread, Drink and Painted Rooms, Connell weaves her ballads amongst the notes of excellent players Craig Kelly and Stirling Gill Chambers (Rich Davies and the Low Road) Carmen O’Brien (Stray Hens / Rapskallion) and Vinny Russell (Humbuckin Pickups).
Mast Gully Fellers (Vic)
Renowned for a unique, but familiar ‘Australiana Bar-Room Folk’ sound which meanders through alt-country and blues, to bush ballads, and Celtic punk. Mast Gully Fellers’ songs are filled with distinctly Australian yarns of country pubs, bush life, love, traveling adventures, and local history. The band released their first full-length album in 2023
‘The Great Divide’, is a 10-song album featuring cameo appearances from Sarah Carroll, Kerryn Tolhurst, and Bruce Haymes, who compliment an already full and eclectic sound coming from the lineup of fiddle, banjo, double bass, acoustic guitar, percussion, harmonica, a little ukulele, and the four-part harmonies.
Reiltin Collective – Celtic Reflections Australia (Vic)
Réiltín Collective (Irish for little star) present celtic music classics, storytelling dance and original songs from the heart. Comprising of popular and acclaimed folk artists, Maria Forde, (Vocal, Guitar), Greg Hunt (Violin, Mandolin) and Jules Vines (Vocal, Keyboard, Accordion & Whistle). Together with members of the Victorian Irish Dance Academy, they bring musical warmth and joy to the stage blended with a good dose of wit and humour. This promises to be a delightful session. The Irish, Scottish and Welsh have kept their rich cultural heritage alive in many pockets of the world and we are excited to share with you, their stories. Capturing the musical traditions unfolding ‘Down Under’, Celtic Reflections Australia is told from both local and ex-pat performers’ perspectives.
Lament, love and laugh. Come along with us on a heart-warming enchanted journey.
Reiltin bring a warmth and depth to Maldon with many years of enthralling audiences at home and abroad.
The Duck Downpickers (Vic)
The Duck Downpickers is a foot stompin’ 3 piece acoustic string band playing a mix of home-cooked mountain music of the Appalachians with a taste of Gospel, Jug and Country Blues. They play acoustic zyda-jug-holy-billy-blues, a little tongue in beak!
Kaylah Thomas (Vic)
Dive into the world of Kaylah Thomas, a 22-year-old indie-pop artist hailing from the heart of country Victoria. She’s not just a singer-songwriter; she’s a storyteller, baring her soul through lyric and melody. Kaylah’s musical journey has been marked by several singles including ‘Darwin’ and ‘Try’. In 2023, Kaylah released her debut EP, ‘Tiny World.’ Drawing inspiration from the depths of her emotions, Kaylah’s songs are more than just tunes – they are windows into her world, where loss, love, nostalgia, and introspection intertwine. Through her music, she aspires to initiate change and immerse you in a world of story-telling.
Fiona Ross (Vic)
www.fionaross.com.auAlchemy Crystal Sound Bath: Unwind and reconnect heart, mind and body as you bathe in the pure, vibrational sounds of the crystal singing bowls. What to expect: A deep listening experience centred on a stunning array of alchemy crystal singing bowls together with other sound healing instruments such as voice, drum and chimes. A guided meditation to foster stillness, self-awareness and well-being.
Freya and Tom McGowan
Freya and Tom are a daughter/dad duo from Ballarat. Freya (14) has been singing since she could string two words together and Tom is a long-time guitar player. As a duo they draw from a deep family connection and a mutual love of music (particularly from the 1960s and 70s). Influences include Dolly, Patsy, Joni and Aretha. They have performed at many festivals including Maldon Folk Festival, Cresfest, Castlemaine Fringe Festival, Newstead Live and Ballarat Begonia Festival, live to air on ABC radio and on many an early morning at markets throughout Victoria.
Steven Whiteside (Vic) – Book Launch – SNOW, FIRE AND GOLD – The story of Bill Spargo and Evelyn Piper’s life in the Australian mountains
Stephen Whiteside knew that Spargo’s Hut in the Australian mountains near Mt Hotham had been abandoned for many years. However, when he first visited it in 1982, he got a shock. It looked like it was still inhabited. Could he have been mistaken? Closer inspection revealed that it was, indeed, abandoned. However, its remoteness had allowed it to remain crammed full of all the items necessary for everyday living. There was a bed and pillow, a table and chairs, a Coolgardie safe, pots and pans, crockery and cutlery, a cheese grater, a fly spray pump, an
oven mitt, a golf putter, books and magazines, and much, much more. It looked to him as though a woman had lived there as well as a man. Who were these people who had lived in this one room hut above the snow line, and why? He resolved to find out…
Eric Purdie Glasgow Comedian and Storyteller (Vic)
Eric Purdie has been sharing, formally and informally, at folk festivals, folk clubs and pubs for over thirty years. He has a direct performing style, which lies within the ‘stand up’ school of comedy. in 2020, Eric Purdie won The Port Fairy Folk Festival Pat Glover Memorial Storytelling Award. Through his humorous stories and anecdotes about his early years in Glasgow, he imparts a unique oral view of a life and culture.
Geoffrey W Graham (Vic)
Geoffrey specialises in Dinkum Oz Entertainment combining bush poetry, comedy and music. His passion is to inspire audiences to appreciate the humour, depth and historical integrity of our heritage through Australian verse and music.
A Tex Morton Show – (Geoffrey & friends!!!)
Shearing, Strikes & Scabs……Phil & Geoffrey will regale you with verse & song from those good old days where men were men, and women were bloody hard workers and sheep were ….well sheep!
The way to handle hard work was to sing, yarn and partake with the occasional beverage.
The Rhymer from Ryde (NSW)
“The Rhymer from Ryde” just can’t get enough of Bush Poetry and rhyming verse. When he’s not writing it, learning it or performing it he’s organising poetry events like the Victorian Bush Poetry Championships (2024) or the 10th Anniversary of his “Rhymers Roundup” shows (held at the Tamworth Country Music Festival). Other than that he likes to extend a helping hand to his fellow poets by presenting workshops to help them develop their skills. On stage he’s a dynamic ‘dynamo’ of activity as he brings modern, classical and original verse to life through his theatrical and engaging performances. A real ‘live-wire’ act, make sure you don’t miss the “Rhymer” at this year’s event..
Kyneton Street Band (Vic)
The Kyneton Street Band provides a vibrant outdoor band experience, featuring marimbas, wind, brass and percussion instruments in a unique mobile format. Led by Andy Rigby who brings his varied repertoire of Latin and African inspired music to the streets of Maldon.
Lorraine McCrimmon (Vic)
A performance poet of many years with a large repertoire of traditional, contemporary poems, some to make you laugh and others to reflect on festivals I’ve performed at include, Cobargo, Majors Creek, National FF.
Margaret Crichton (Vic)
Festival Choir – Always wondered what it feels like to be onstage? Join the Festival choir and find out! you just need to enjoy singing to have a go. Your groupies can come and watch as we sing two songs in harmony at one of the main venues. Come and have some fun. No experience necessary. Shower singers welcome!
Bush Sessions (ACT)
Bush Sessions recreate the music of Australian Bush gatherings from the 19th and early 20th century. Music played on verandas, in lounges and in memorial halls. The music has been collected from traditional players, the men and women who made music in the bush. Tunes handed down through families, learnt from neighbours, friends and broadsheets. These are participation sessions. We provide printed music, welcome ear players also and play at a pace which encourages joining in. Please bring your instrument and play through some great toe tapping tunes in traditional dance style.
A Bit of English (ACT)
A Bit of English are members of Blighties Revenge; a Canberra based band lead by Jackie Luke and Greg Wilson. Blighties Revenge specialise in modern and traditional, session and dance music from England. The Blighties meet regularly with friends to play an eclectic tune mix, ranging from the Playford era through to modern compositions. Discovered during lockdown zoom sessions, 3/2 hornpipes add interest and fun to their repertoire. Join in and share the music.
Campbell the Swaggie
The only fair dinkum reciter of Aussie Bush Poetry who doubles as the last Australian swagman. Everyone knows Campbell, from govt house in Darwin, right down the east coast to the Sunday market in leafy Camberwell, and every festival and market in between. Keeping the Spirit of Waltzing Matilda (carrying the swag) and mate ship policy alive. By raising Funds towards helping premature and chronically ill children via financing the Royal Flying doctors and emergency relief appeals. Verses recited are kaleidoscope of my travels and experiences, Aboriginal Dreamtime stories and tales of the Land. The poems reflect the heritage pillars of Australia. Check out The Legend of Campbell the Swaggie by Kevin McCarthy’s Crocodile Country and an interview while he was staying in Maldon during most of 2020 until after Easter 2021.
Michael the Balloonologist (Vic)
Michael the Balloonologist has been a fixture at festivals, fetes, fairs and functions for over twenty- five years. From single balloon animals to multi-balloon creations Michael manages to enthral his audience whether they are 2 or 102. Dogs, bears, flowers and fancy hats flow freely from his fingers. Come and claim a colourful creation – and yes, he does parties.
Emu Creek Bush Band and Friends – Gay Charmers and Friends (Vic)
Long time stalwarts of the Maldon Folk Festival, the Emu Creek Bush Band, will once again be providing the toe tapping opening dance of this year’s festival as they have done for many years. Despite the passing of their leader Peter Ellis OAM the band he nurtured over thirty or more years will continue to provide the best of bush dancing. Bring the kids and be prepared for a fun filled evening. You won’t be disappointed. The Bush Concert commences with entertainment from the band but incorporates items from the floor and so the audience end up entertaining the band!
Harpers Bizarre (Vic)
A long-time favourite of the Maldon Folk Festival, this group meets monthly to play beautiful music and of course, to share epicurean delights. Their music includes tunes from the Celtic countries as well as an exciting Latin based repertoire and individual compositions. Festive hand-crafted felt hats, and harps made from unique Australian timbers, are well known signatures of the group. Each year, in the winter months, Harpers Bizarre runs a music camp at Cave Hill Creek Recreation Centre, near Beaufort central Victoria, promoting and encouraging interest in Harp Culture. Harp maestro Andy Rigby is the group’s Musical Director and fashions many of the harps in his Workshop, just down the road in Malmsbury. Check out some of Andy’s exquisite instruments at the Maldon Folk Festival ‘Instrument Makers Exhibition’ on Saturday and Sunday of the Festival.
Jeanette Gillespie & Duncan Brown (Vic)
Jeanette and Duncan will lead the concert as they have in previous years, and involve other festival artists and friends. Possible participants may include any agreeable festival guests who may be “shanghaied” during the festival!
O’Shea Ryan Academy Of Irish Dancing (Vic)
O’Shea-Ryan Irish Dancers have been coming to the Maldon Festival for years and will perform a selection of jigs, reels and lively hard shoe dances.
Vale….Geraldine Ryan Snr. – She was the leader of our group for over 80 years and passed away in November 2023. She was 93 years old and was still travelling and teaching up until 6 weeks before her death. She came to Maldon each year with a group of dancers who performed in the streets as part of the Festival. (May She Rest In Peace).
Her daughter, also Geraldine Ryan, jnr, now leads the dance school and is here with a group of dancers, performing on Saturday, in the streets.
The dancers come from many regions in Victoria in the southern part of Australia. They are well known at Folk Festivals and major events, presenting their Irish Dance Folk Culture which has survived for hundreds of years and has been fostered and passed down to the present generation for their enjoyment. Many of these Dancers are experienced international performers, having presented their Irish Dance Culture throughout Europe and Asia at events to which their teacher, Geraldine Ryan, is regularly invited to bring her group. Geraldine’s dancers have, to date, had successful performances in thirty three different countries throughout Europe and Asia. Geraldine is a well known authority on Irish Dancing around the world, and is recognised as the senior, longest registered teacher, still actively teaching in the World…
The Britannia Morris (Vic)
Surely you know us already? The dancers in the streets? With the wavy hankies and clashing sticks? The white uniforms and live melodeon music? The ones who have been engaging audiences at Maldon for over 20 years?
Well, if you don’t know us by now, you just haven’t been paying attention!
The Connected Circus (Vic)
This colourful and family friendly Circus Space will be runn
ing from 11am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. There is a Circus Space for participants to explore a range of props with assistance from instructors. These props include Hula hoops, Pois, Spinning plates, Rolla Bollas and Flowerstix. Also in the grassy outdoor space there will also be games like Finska, Bocce and Giant Jenga. Undercover in the Rotunda there is an Art Space for children to draw, sketch and do origami and a Games Space with all sorts of fun board games for all ages.
The Connected Circus runs their mobile entertainment space at festivals and events all over Victoria. We also facilitate a wide range of school programs and workshops in Central Victoria, helping to improve the wellbeing of children and adults using creativity and movement.
Rudy the Music Man (Vic)
In past Maldon Folk Festival appearances Rudy the One Man Band has wandered along main street and entertained audiences where he’s found them. For over 30 years Rudy has trudged many miles carrying around his 25kg one man band rig of drum, monkeys, gorillas and numerous musical instruments. Unfortunately, Rudy’s roving days are over. This septuagenarian is less ambulant but no less entertaining singing and playing his Harmonica, Pan Pipes, Flex-A-Tone, Trombone, Concertina, Didgeridoo, Banjo, Mandolin, Guitar, Accordion, Djembe & Hi Hat. Rudy entertains from the wealth of songs and instrumentals he has acquired from years of busking at markets and festivals, playing in bush bands and appearing on Red Faces and Australia’s Got Talent. Regaling Pre-School children to adults in Aged Care Facilities and Hospices, Rudy is happiest bringing a smile to the faces of everyone he encounters
The Woodend Warblers
The Woodend Warblers is a 50+ person non-auditioned community choir that began in 2018 and has gone from strength to strength, attracting a growing number of members from all over the Macedon Ranges. We are completely a cappella and sing a wide variety of music with a focus on inclusiveness, enjoyment and wonderful harmony. They will be a roving choir on Sunday around the streets and at the Railway Station to see regular (not folky) the steam train off.