AFTER 35 years, compiling the line-up for the Port Fairy Folk Festival is as hard as it ever was.
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"It's always a huge challenge and I don't find it gets any easier," festival director Jamie McKew said.
"It's like being an athlete - every time the grand final comes along it doesn't matter if you've done it before.
"Fortunately, Port Fairy is one of the festival that's getting more applications and more interest from agents, particularly from overseas. We had at least 100 from overseas and we could have booked half of them quite easily. It's a good sign.
"The Port Fairy name is well and truly out there and, if anything, it's getting stronger."
While the line-up is far from complete, the Folkie unveiled the first taste of its 2012 event today at a launch in Melbourne.
"It seems ridiculous (releasing part of the line-up) five months out from the festival but it's almost the peak time for planning ahead," McKew said.
"Most people are planning a long way ahead (which festivals they're going to) these days."
And with so many festivals out there, McKew said it's important that the Folkie doesn't fall behind.
"I think it makes it harder for all festivals. There definitely are more around and there's only a limited number of people that want to tickets.
"There's more choice. I think the fact there are so many festivals around - there's a bit of a festival frenzy - it attracts more people (to the idea). It makes people think 'maybe I should got to a festival'.
"There definitely comes a time when you do have too many. But if you're an established festival and as long as you keep producing a good program and facilities, I think you're going to have the advantage, as opposed to the new ones jumping on the bandwagon - they're the ones that are going to struggle.
He said the line-up was a mix of old favourite and acts set to become people's new favourites.
The international artists already named include Abigail Washburn (USA), Ahab (UK), Ben Sollee (USA), Boega (Ireland), Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen (UK), Chris While & Julie Matthews (UK), Eric Bibb & Staffa Astner (USA/Sweden), Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson (Australia/Ireland), Frigg (Finland), Harry Manx (Canada), Judy Collins (USA), Kristina Olsen (USA), Madison Violet (Canada), Passenger (UK), Peter Rowan Band (USA), Pierre Bensusan (French-Algeria), Pieta Brown (USA), and the Sharon Shannon Big Band (Ireland).
Australian acts in the line-up include Ami Williamson, Clare Bowditch, The Davidson Brothers, Flap!, Lanie Lane, My Friend The Chocolate Cake, Stringmansassy, Tripod, Watussi, and Woohoo Review.
Many more acts are yet to be announced.
The Port Fairy Folk Festival is on March 9-12, 2012. Tickets are on sale now via the festival's website or by calling 5568 2227.
