Fresh off the plane from the Canadian leg of his new album’s international tour, Rudd will bring his let-your-hair-down musical medley to Port Fairy in March. 

The multi-talented musician performed at the festival at the beginning of his career but will return with a dozen years of international touring experience, wowing audiences with his collection of free-spirited tunes that have shown the world how pulses can start racing using sounds from the oldest instrument in Australia.

Other new acts adding to the already popular line-up are Sean Taylor (UK), London Klezmer Quartet (UK), Buke & Gase (USA), Baby et Lulu, Cactus Channel, The Ramshackle Army, Riogh, Andy Alberts & The Walkabouts, Mustered Courage, Matthew Fagan and The Stillsons.

First and second round tickets have been snatched up at a rate exceeding expectations of event organisers, giving the third and final round of tickets an added urgency for those keen to enter the festival grounds.

For everyone else, however, there will be plenty happening as part of the Folkie’s frINge festival line-up.

The 2013 artist bill also includes Arlo Guthrie (USA), Gurrumul, Kate Miller-Heidke, Ruthie Foster (USA), Sara Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion (USA), Christine Anu, Glen Hansard (Ireland), Lisa Hannigan (Ireland), The Popes (Ireland) and Shane Howard.

n See The Standard’s interview with Xavier Rudd in Offbeat on Thursday.

j.pech@fairfaxmedia.com.au