The 41st Port Fairy Folk Festival is on this weekend with 30,000 people expected to flock to the seaside village for the iconic event. We take a look at some of the fun that lies ahead.
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BLOODLINES
THE music industry is one big, happy family and at the Folkie, family ties are strong. Last year one of the headline acts was Irish superstar Mary Black. This year Black's niece, Aoife Scott, is part of the international contingent.
IT;S BEEN A LONG TIME
Singer-songwriter Paul Kelly will play a show alongside Charlie Owen on Stage 3 on Saturday night. A huge crowd is expected to gather to see what will be Kelly's first appearance in Port Fairy since he played with his band The Stormwater Boys back in 2006.
BIRD LIFE
Victorian five-piece band Featherhead leads a number of acts that have drawn inspiration for their names from the humble bird. The Drowsy Maggies, the Dead Maggies and the Giant Seagulls are all part of the bill.
COLOURFUL
The Folkie is about much more than just the music. The excitement and energy of the festival is also driven by some memorable theatrics, among those are some colourful costumes and props. Leading the way in this field for 2017 looks like it could be Melbourne band 8 Foot Felix. Dressed like a crew of an 18th century vessel, 8 Foot Felix promise to deliver a set as diverse as their outfits, mixing funk, hip-hop and blues to create a unique sound.
CLOSE TO HOME
Rising star Nancie Schipper will not have to travel far for the biggest moment in her music career to date. The Killarney teenager has four shows over the course of the weekend, highlighted by a show on the Lighthouse Stage on Saturday afternoon.
LUCK OF THE IRISH
The earliest Port Fairy Folk Festival's were heavily influenced by Irish/Celtic links. While the festival has broadened to embrace music from all corners of the planet, those early influences remain strong. Irish stars Mundy, the Seamus Begley Trio and the Young Folk are among the international performers in Port Fairy this weekend.
