27/05/2026
Well, 2017 to 2026 was decade for the senses! In 2016, the Folkie welcomed Caroline Moore as its second ever Program Director and in the same year, Festival favourite Danny Spooner passed away leaving behind 39 consecutive years (and memorable moments) of performing at the Folkie – a record for any artist.
The decade introduced the community-based Find Your Voice Collective, beginning a new partnership that continues to inspire many each year. It was also the decade that was interrupted by the global pandemic, with the 2020 Folkie the last major event to occur in Australia before the world shut down. In 2021, we had to try some new ways to inspire and share songs and stories - we went super local and even shared concerts online.
When the world cautiously re-opened in 2022, new Program Director Justin Rudge brought the Festival back to life with a full program of local and international artists as well as introducing the Archie Roach Foundation Stage, putting Port Fairy Folk Festival back on the map as both a destination for music lovers and an event celebrating community and culture.
The last decade saw international stars Neko Case, Mary Coughlan, Gaby Moreno, Gregory Alan Isakov, Wallis Bird, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Grace Petrie, Harry Shearer, Patty Griffin, Rhiannon Giddens, The East Pointers, Cedric Burnside, Graham Nash, Billy Bragg, Eilen Jewell, Judy Collins, Bonny Light Horseman, Todd Rundgren, Iron & Wine, Bess Atwell, Beoga and more play across the Arena stages.
Local artists Emma Donovan, Paul Dempsey, Kasey Chambers, Missy Higgins, Leah Senior, F***y Lumsden, Kate Miller-Heidke, Liz Stringer, Folk Bitch Trio, CW Stoneking, Kee’ahn, Kutcha Edwards, John Butler and more joined in the Folkie fun entertaining fans from near and far.
And now here we are, on the cusp of a huge Folkie in 2027 where we get to gather once again in Port Fairy to celebrate 50 years of this magnificent festival.
Sign up to our e-news for early access to Subscriber Tickets to secure your place at the 50th celebration of
this iconic Festival ➡️ https://portfairyfolkfestival.com/subscribe/
📸 Port Fairy Folk Festival Archives, 2017-2026
