National Folk Festival Major Line-up Announcement

The National Folk Festival celebrates the diversity of folk with a major announcement of artists for 2018.

Audiences will be treated to some of the very best exponents of their craft from Australia and the world when the 52nd edition of this iconic event hits the Nation's capital next Easter. Headlining a stellar list of acts is Scottish super group Breabach, Nashville darling Lindsay Lou, the 'unhinged genius' of Steve Poltz, Celtic songstresses Cara, wildly entertaining and brilliantly named Ten Strings and A Goat Skin, and Indigenous performer Gina Williams, who returns to the Festival with her full band.

Today's announcement also features a mix established and much-loved artists alongside new and emerging performers of uncommon talent and virtuosity who have yet to become household names. The National presents a superb opportunity for audiences to hear these acts on stages from the intimate through to the capacious, all within a lively village environment.

With music and entertainment to capture every age and taste, from young indie duo Amistat (twin brothers Jan and Josef Prasil) to the 'rebellious beauty' of Bush Gothic or The Western Flyers' with their electrifying Texas swing, there will be plenty on the table to whet the appetite for good music.

The National is renowned for presenting the very best of folk. Old-timey and trad acts rub shoulders with the contemporary and new. Audiences will relish the gritty hill-style gospel blues duo Hat Fitz and Cara, virtuoso folk-blues guitarist Daniel Champagne, sublime UK duo Chris While and Julie Matthews, Canadian trio The Good Lovelies and glam-folk sirens-of-satire Sparrow-Folk. Add the lyrical bluegrass songs of the John Flanagan Trio, glorious tunes and vocals from Marcia Howard, diplomat-turned-musician Fred Smith and the sensual, theatrical performances of Chaika, and you'll be spoilt for choice.

The list goes on: old time fiddle and banjo duo Cat and Clint; Charm of Finches (teen sisters Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes); The Chordwainers playing instruments crafted by world-renowned leather sculptor, Garry Greenwood, and the 'infectiously fun' Coconut Kids with French-influenced world folk using ukulele, brass, bass, keys, violin, mandolin and percussion.

In a treat for dancers, Australia's leading Scottish Country Dance musicians, Chris Duncan with Catherine and Jennifer Strutt, will blow the party shoes off everyone on the dance floor! Ace fiddle player Gordie 'Crazy Legs' MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys will thrill with their exuberance and unstoppable roots music force, while Gippsland-born troubadour Harry Hookey, performing with Lucky Oceans and David Hyams, will wow audiences with their rousing sing-along stomp.

Families and children will delight in Australia's favourite family puppet show, the Amazing Drumming Monkeys, blending puppetry, live music and comedy while lovers of circus will be enchanted by the glitter and laughter of Madhouse Circus and the nautical nonsense and sea shanty shenanigans of Pirateman Michael.

The line-up so far (more acts to be announced):

Amazing Drumming Monkeys (SA)

Amistat (VIC)

Belshazzar's Feast (UK)

Breabach (Scotland)

Bush Gothic (VIC)

Cara (Scotland)

Cat and Clint (VIC)

Chaika (NSW)

Charm of Finches (VIC)

Chordwainers (TAS)

Chris Duncan, Catherine and Jennifer Strutt (NSW)

Chris While and Julie Matthews (UK)

The Coconut Kids (SA)

Daniel Champagne (NSW)

Faustus (UK)

Fred Smith Band (ACT)

Frumious (TAS)

Gina Williams (WA)

The Good Lovelies (Canada)

Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys (Canada)

Hat Fitz and Cara (QLD)

John Flanagan Trio (VIC)

Katey Brooks (UK)

Lindsay Lou (US)

Madhouse Circus (VIC)

Marcia Howard Quartet (VIC)

Mick Thomas and The Roving Commission (VIC)

19-Twenty (NSW)

Pirateman Michael (WA)

Ryan Garth and Emily Wolfe (TAS)

Sparrow-Folk (ACT)

Steve Poltz (US / Canada)

The Tassie Devil's Own Band (TAS)

Ten Strings and A Goat Skin (Canada)

The Western Flyers (US)

Promising 'five days in a perfect world', Canberra's award-winning National Folk Festival is one of the country's longest-running, family-friendly and widely loved music festivals. The five-day celebration of music, song, dance, circus, spoken word and film features more than 200 international and national acts and attracts more than 40,000 visitors. Hundreds of volunteers transform Exhibition Park (EPIC) into a fantastical village, complete with roving entertainers, street circus, stages of all sizes, market stalls, food vans, shopping precincts, cafes, themed bars and arts and craft activities.

The 52nd National Folk Festival runs throughout Easter, 29 March-2 April 2018 at Exhibition Park, corner Flemington Road and Northbourne Avenue, Mitchell, ACT. Tickets on sale now: discounted Early Bird Tickets available.

w: folkfestival.org.au @natfolkfest

t: (02) 6262 4792 e: info@folkfestival.org.au