AMERICAN singer-songwriter Steve Poltz is among the first batch of performers announced for the 2018 Port Fairy Folk Festival.
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Poltz has been among the festival favourites in recent years, including some huge shows at the 2016 event.
He is among a star-studded list of international and Australian performers unveiled by festival program director Caroline Moore.
Veteran Australian pop-rock band Mental As Anything will make its first appearance in Port Fairy while The Teskey Brothers, The Band Who Knew Too Much and New Zealand trio The Twin Topps will return.
The festival’s reputation as a world music event has again been confirmed with Faith I Branko (Croatia) and Nano Stern (Chile) set to add to the melting pot of musical cultures.
Irish music will again play a big part with Killarney’s Shane Howard leading the Exile: Songs and Tales of Irish Australia, collaboration.
He will be joined by fellow Australian performers Leah Flanagan, Lynelle Moran and Troy Cassar-Daley, as well as Irish musicians Andy Irvine, Declan O’Rourke, Pauline Scanlon and John Spillane.
Canadian guitar and sitar player Harry Manx will team with the Warrnambool Symphony Orchestra (WSO) Nonet, a combination that has Caroline Moore excited.
“At the heart of the festival is the joie de vivre of music and its ability to inspire and support culture and community,” Ms Moore said.
“This collaboration will showcase the extraordinary talents of both Harry Manx and the WSO Nonet.”
Other acts to sign on include Jack Broadbent, YolanDa Brown, Chris While & Julie Matthews (UK) Luke Plumb, Alan Kelly Gang (Ireland), The Brothers Comatose (USA), Gordie Mackeeman & His Rhythm Boys (Canada), Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse, The Mexicans, Sophie Koh & Her Lady Choir, The Ahern Brothers, and Rebecca Barnard.
“I feel extremely privileged and excited to be working with these artists who come to Port Fairy to share the glories of music and the role it plays in our lives,” Ms Moore said.
“From language and culture to the protest song and, dare I say, dancing, folk music is alive and well and is part of our history and our future.”
Tickets to the festival go on sale to subscribers on September 8.
Anyone wishing to become a subscriber and be eligible to receive the first special subscribers price must sign up by 5pm, September 7. Limited subscriber tickets are available.
