Folkie pays homage to ‘mother of all festivals’

HEADED SOUTH: Southend-raised Kasey Chambers will head south from her Central Coast home to appear at one of the broader region's key events, the 2019 Port Fairy Folk Festival.

HEADED SOUTH: Southend-raised Kasey Chambers will head south from her Central Coast home to appear at one of the broader region’s key events, the 2019 Port Fairy Folk Festival.

THE 2019 Port Fairy Folk Festival on the March long weekend is shaping up to be bigger than ever, luring South East music lovers over the border for the diverse showcase of entertainment.

STILL SINGING: Melanie performed at Woodstock and will be part of an anniversary concert 50 years later at the 2019 Port Fairy Folk Festival.

Australia’s Tim Rogers, Ash Grunwald, the Blackeyed Susans, Daniel Champagne, Didirri and the South East’s own Kasey Chambers will appear as part of a line-up of artists representing folk music from across the globe.
Ireland’s Luka Bloom and Sharon Shannon, along with American Woodstock-era star Melanie and United Kingdom artist Ralph McTell, writer of Streets of London, are among the international artists making the journey to the coastal hamlet.

Port Fairy will also put its own spin on the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, paying homage to the mother of all festivals, when three days of peace and music reigned supreme, with a Saturday night showcase concert narrated by radio personality and festival ambassador Derek Guille.

BACK ON THE BILL: Ash Grunwald will return to the Port Fairy Folk Festival in 2019.

The festival kicks off with a special opening night event on International Women’s Day with performances from the leading ladies of folk, including Marcia Howard, Wallis Bird, Basia Bulat, Leanne Tennant and Z Star, among many other music greats.

Following on from success at Dark Mofo comes The Vandemonian Lags, a historical musical journey that weaves a live concert performance together with the dramatic, true stories from Australia’s convict past.

An outstanding group of musicians, including Ben Salter, Van Walker and Liz Stringer link songs with spoken word pieces from narrators Brian Nankervis and Tim Rogers, with music composed by roots music icon Mick Thomas.

Program director Caroline Moore said this year’s festival draws from the roots of folk music.

“Folk music from all cultures is steeped in history and this year our signature special and collaborative events draw on traditional and contemporary histories, from the Vandemonian Lags’ cry for freedom and Woodstock’s call for peace … folk music has the ability to connect us all,” she said.

“From our own diverse Australian stories to the rich folk traditions of Canada, the USA, England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, South Africa, Greece and Italy, we celebrate the music and the icons of folk, acknowledge our historical past and welcome the musicians making their festival debut.”

The festival will be held from March 8 to 11.