16 – 18 August 2019
After more than 25 years, Sydney is set to host its own folk music festival. The weekend 16 to 18 August, 2019, will see the best of New South Wales folk performers converge on Sydney, creatively using four destination venues across Pitt Street, in a variety of performances from theatrical to world beats. The theme for The Sydney Folk Festival is ‘The next generation of folk music’ and its diverse programming will showcase the new interpreters of the many musical genres under the folk music banner.
With an emphasis on youth the performers will range from ten-year old Allegra Dunning and early twenties Cowra musician Josh Maynard, winners of the 2019 Young Folk Award, to legends like internationally recognised Australian songwriter, Eric Bogle. There will also be Afro Funk, Bluegrass, Singer Songwriters, Acapella, Old Timey, Celtic, World Music, Blues, Ballads, Bush Bands and even some high-kicking Celtic Punk and rousing young shanty singers. As a special treat, 2019 being the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock Festival, the festival will go a little mellow with a musical hippy tribute.
Produced by the Folk Federation of New South Wales, a not-for-profit organisation charged with coordinating and promoting folk music in the State, the festival has veteran music producer, Warren Fahey AM, as its Artistic Director. Fahey. As a cultural historian and performer, Warren Fahey, has a strong link with Australian music, having established the Folkways Music and Larrikin Record label in the 1970s. In 2010 he was presented with Australia’s highest award for lifetime achievement in music, the Australia Council’s prestigious Don Bank’s Music Award.
Brian Jonathon, President of the Folk Federation, comments: “This festival is long overdue. There are more than seventy folk festivals staged annually across Australia, ranging from the big guns of Woodford and Canberra’s National Folk Festival, through to regional festivals in all states and territories. These festivals have proven vital to the community’s understanding and appreciation of folk music and they also contribute massively to community wellbeing, the local economy and, most importantly, to the creative development of artists.”
Warren Fahey comments, “As Artistic Director I want this festival to break down misconceptions about folk music. We want Sydneysiders to experience the magic of live music, to hear new and adventurous artists and, wherever possible, join in on the music-making. The program will be extremely diverse, have an emphasis on youth but, at the same time, salute the legends of folk music. One of the most exciting aspects of the festival will be its use of creative venues. Our main venues will be the City Tattersall’s Club; the historic 750 seat Pitt Street Uniting Church, a John Bibb designed ‘fire and brimstone’ church built in 1841; the Edinburgh Castle Hotel (1885), and venues within the Sydney Mechanics School of Arts (SMSA established 1833) including the Mitchell theatre and meeting rooms. Weekend or day ticket holders will be able to explore the musical offerings with several performances programmed at any one time. The Sydney Folk Festival will be a unique musical adventure.”
It is certainly unique to place a festival in existing buildings over two blocks of our city – with a 5 minute walk between them – and we have done it. Hopefully the Sydney Folk Festival can shake up Sydney’s ‘nanny state’ hiatus and breathe some musical life into the city.
Over 60 bands plus solo artists including Eric Bogle, Mara!, Chaika, Shelley’s Murder Boys, The Willing Ponies, The Bottlers, The last Aurochs, Kejafi, Firrin, 40 Degrees South, The Redfern Shanty Singers, Señor Cabales, Wang Yue Chinese Ensemble, The Mutual Acquaintances, The Button Collective, Moussa Diakite & Wassado, Keith Potger, Dead Men Talking, and The Roweth Band. To showcase NSW creativity the majority of artists are from our state and represent some of the finest music creators in Australia.Over 225 individual performers will be involved over the three day festival. There will also be a dance program from world to the bush.
The Folk Federation of New South Wales acknowledges the financial support of The Vine Foundation, NSW Teacher’s Federation, Sydney Mechanics School of Arts and City Tattersall’s Club.
The festival is actively looking for volunteers. They will be able to experience the festival in various ways and, of course, feel part of the festival team.
For more information visit: www.sydneyfolkfestival.com.au
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