Alec Randles is an Australian fingerstyle guitarist and singer-songwriter, infusing backgrounds in Celtic, Roots & Blues guitar with contemporary folk music and thought-provoking lyricism. This diverse influence has seen Randles share his soulful melodies all across Australia, the United States and New Zealand.

Website

Charles Maimarosia is a Solomon Islands musician blending traditional Are’Are panpipe music with contemporary sounds. Raised in Pipisu village, Malaita, he is a singer of custom knowledge, creating deeply rhythmic and melodic songs. He has toured globally and is now performing songs from his 2025 album Hote’ Hote’.

Website 

The Roweths have been presenting the living tradition of Australian music for over thirty years, forging unique combinations of music, poetry and folklore.  They bring you powerful and delicate songs, room stopping recitations, seamless combinations of original, new and old Australian material, with the easy warmth of old-style bush entertainment.

Darren Coggan is one of Australia’s most exciting and diverse artists, a masterful storyteller with a knack of weaving fascinating and perceptive tales through his songs. With a swag of Golden Guitars, Independent Country Music Awards and the coveted Toyota Star Maker under his belt, Darren has carved an impressive career in the Australian country music industry. His touring productions celebrating the songbooks of Glen Campbell, John Denver, James Taylor and his critically acclaimed portrait of Cat Stevens have inspired audiences in the grandest theatres across the globe including sell out seasons at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Liverpool Philharmonic. Darren is currently presenting the lifestyle TV program Sydney Weekender for network Seven.

Website

Lisa Brennan and Lizzie Flynn come together to sing harmonies that emulate riding on the wings of a strong-willed bird. Heading on a flight path of beautiful harmonic arrangements, their eclectic repertoire and commentary will take you on a journey from fragility to hope. Fly Little Sparrow debuted at the 2019 Illawarra Folk Festival, with a five piece line-up which included double bass, violin, and drums. Songwriters in their own right, Lisa and Lizzie have performed in various bands and projects.

Grace Barr is a Gadigal/Sydney based songwriter originally from Northwest UK. Her music blends influences from Appalachian Traditional music and pop, crafting songs that explore her travels, loves and friendships. Grace has performed at notable events such as The Bearded Tit, Alleghany Jubilee (NC), Sydney World Pride, Powerhouse Museum, The Huxleys Bloodlines Exhibition at Carriageworks, Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival, Tropical Fruits Festival and the Low 302.

Website

Graeme “The Scotsman” is a Scottish musician, ceilidh dance caller and event planner who traded Glasgow’s drizzle for Sydney’s sunshine in 2021, launching himself into Australia’s folk scene.

With his guitar and 8-string ukulele in hand, he blends evocative vocals with everything from 200 year old Burns tales to modern upbeat folk tunes, captivating audiences nationwide.

Website

Friends, Toby & Jim are the duo behind Hand Over Hammer. Heavily inspired by John Prine and Townes Van Zandt, being deeply relatable and amusing lyrics with traditional folk styling and vocal harmonies. Toby plays mandolin and guitar and vocals and Jim plays guitar and vocals.

Armed with the strings of Folk Music and tight harmonies with impeccable song writing and story telling, the Humbuckin' Pickups create an energetic, dynamic and heart warming show that'll have you coming back for more.

Jessie Lloyd’s Sing on Country is a family-friendly music show featuring songs from her new Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Songbook. The show invites audiences of all ages to learn, sing and dance along, while exploring stories, culture, with a unified Australian voice in an engaging, educational and culturally respectful way.

Website

Kane Calcite is a singer, songwriter from the NSW South Coast, Australia.  With his smooth earthy sounds fused seamlessly with captivating acoustic melodies, Kane’s music embodies the emotive world of storytelling and the authentic essence of Indie-Folk.

Facebook

Karen Law is a songwriter, meditator, mother, tea-drinker and optimist. For over 30 years she'd been writing story songs about things that matter. These songs leave you feeling a little more hopeful than you were before.  Equally at home on a festival stage or singing round the kitchen table, she is joined by her son Murray on guitar and backing vocals producing those trademark family harmonies. An uplifting combination.

Website

We are an informal group of ukulele enthusiasts based in Kiama who enjoy weekly sing-alongs that include open microphone sessions .

Join in the fun and sing along.

Kiama Pipe Band plays traditional pipe band music with celtic origins from Scotland and Ireland. The band regularly performs at community events including the Bundanoon and Berry Celtic festivals.

Ahoy ye folky blaggards!! For your doe of rollicking rousing renditions of songs of the sea come and see Kiama Sea Shanty Club in full swing. Join in or walk the plank!!

Website 

Louzco Fouzco, founded by three Galaico-Portuguese musicians, teamed up with Sydney-based performers passionate about Celtic music, bringing Galician music to Australia. They fuse traditional melodies with modern, danceable rhythms, creating a fresh take on their heritage. Regularly performing in Sydney, they’ve brought their captivating Galician sound to audiences worldwide

Website

Mark Ballesi (Marco) and Russell Churcher (Rusty) are long-time folk musicians who share a love of the singer/songwriter tradition. Their rich vocal harmonies and down-to-earth instrumentation on guitar, banjo and dobro bring to life songs, both classic and original, that will engage, amuse and uplift your heart.

Noel Gardner’s award-winning lyrics resonate with emotion, his songs touch both our hearts and our social conscience. Along with his accomplished finger picking guitar, Noel’s emotive voice blends beautifully with Alex’s smooth harmonies and her sensitive bass. Together they deliver to us ‘powerful messages in a velvet glove of music’.

Originally from regional Western Australia, now based in Melbourne, twin sisters Maddy and Jess of Oceanique create music that blends heartfelt storytelling with seamless harmonies.  Port Fairy Folk Festivals ‘Emerging Artist of the Year’(2024) and Folk Alliance Australia’s Youth Artist of the Year (2022).

Poet and reciter Oliver Roweth (he/it) has been a regular on festival stages since he was six years old. His original free verse poetry covers themes of neurodivergence, queerness, and the unique ways in which the two intersect.

Robyn Sykes is a multi-awarded spoken word artist who writes and performs original poetry. This dynamic performer entertains audiences around Australia, including Woodford FF(Qld), National FF (ACT) and Illawarra (NSW). Robyn runs workshops for adults and children, mentors emerging performers/public speakers, and organisers poetry events in regional NSW.

Website

Rhys Crimmin and his travelling one man band multi-instrumentalist show has been amazing crowds around the world every day, with his unique style that he likes to call ‘Aussie Country Roots Folk Reggae & Dirty Foot Stompin’ Blues’.

Website

A tormenter of accordion players and a lover of tripe, the cuddly president of the Illawarra Folk Club, aka Sir BigRuss will be spotted at spoken word gigs all over the place.

Sam Fletcher is a musical story teller, weaving timeless melodies of folk and country. Through skilful acoustic guitar, banjo and smooth vocals, Sam’s performance creates a rich tapestry of storytelling and emotion. With band, performing as the Sam Fletcher Trio.

Scupriri means 'to discover' in the Sicilian language. Scupriri  is a rediscovery of musical heritage and story telling; a chance for all to share in a rich cultural tradition. Combining violin, double bass, guitar, accordion and percussion, Scupriri members perform in traditional dress and sing traditional songs in Sicilian language.

Website

Raised from the thick, dank waters of the bayou, Slippery "John" Sausage has emerged to share "the swamp" with the outside world. Whether it's sing-alongs or stories, it's all swamp and nothing but the swamp! Very interactive fictional southern American swamp themed band with unique instrumentation, playing originals and classics.

Youtube

Southern Cross Bush Band will be bringing their energetic dance music to the festival for some fun dancing experiences.  Joining the band will be musicians from the Illawarra area who will help to swell the sound and the energy.  No experience is necessary as all the dances will be taught and called and a fun time is guaranteed.

Now Allan Stone is a poetry bloke otherwise known as Stonybroke  He’ll make you laugh and make you cry. Or spin you yarns about pie in the sky
Raising awareness of global pollution. And how we all must be part of the solution Three young lads fresh out of luck. Towed through the Bush by a big Mack truck A driver chap who gets into fights. First Nation people with sacred sites There’s even a bloke who had a lamb. And Mulligan who blew out a lamp So come along, get on yer bike. When Stonybroke is on the mike.

The Butter Trackers are musicians who play traditional Irish sessions at various venues in the Illawarra and Southern Highlands - land of the Dharawal & Gundungurra people.  We welcome any musicians who'd like to come along and join in with us.

Facebook

Fun and irreverent, The Con Artists are a carnival of percussion, wind, brass, accordions, and fiddles. This all-ages community band combines young up-and-coming WollCon students, adult community musicians, and some of the region’s most prominent folk musicians, playing dissident and celebratory folk music from around the world.

Website

The Lofty Mountain Band are an exhilarating conference of things with strings playing a breakneck fusion of pop, country and folk. With an intoxicating blend of tight vocal harmonies, virtuosic playing, yearning, wit and melancholy, their music is ethereal and grounded, often devastating and occasionally transcendent.

Website

3 x CMAA ‘Golden Guitar’, 2 x Australian Folk Music and Music Victoria Award winners, The Weeping Willows (Laura Coates and Andrew Wrigglesworth) are a couple of old souls, steeped in Bluegrass tradition and draped in Gothic Americana imagery.  They regale their audiences with stories of sunshine and romance, God and The Devil, murder and decay.  Real music

Website

David De Santi has been accumulating 'good' tunes for over 30 years and wants to share them.Be ready for a musical tour around Australia, Italy Quebec, Scotland, Scandinavia, Spain, France, Ireland, England and beyond! Sheet music available or use your ear to join in.

Website | Listen