PROGRAM director Caroline Moore has announced another batch of performers for the 2018 Port Fairy Folk Festival.
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Heading the latest announcement is Melbourne Ska Orchestra.
With a line-up of at least 25, the orchestra will play two shows at the festival across the weekend of March 9-12.
Ms Moore said she is thrilled to have the orchestra coming to the festival.
She said they will bring exceptional musical artistry, a truckload of energy and a unique style of ska.
“Folk music is music of the world and of the people,” Ms Moore said.
“Ska music has its roots in Jamaica and is known for its critical social commentary and we are so thrilled to be presenting Australia’s finest exponents of ska, The Melbourne Ska Orchestra.
“Their live performances are explosive and infectious. Their unique take on the genre of ska has wowed audiences and reggae and ska pioneers such as Stranger Cole, Owen Gray, Carlos Malcolm, Ranking Roger, and Neville Staples to name a few.
“From Montreal to New York, Istanbul to London, the Melbourne Ska Orchestra is resonating with audiences worldwide, both young and old, and in 2018 they will take to the stages of our much loved festival.”
Scottish band Breabach will also make the trip to Port Fairy in 2018.
The Celtic feel will be further enhanced by the appearance of Brisbane Irish band Sásta, a band that plays contemporary Irish trad music at a high-energy level.
Sásta has toured nationally and internationally and supported acts such as Aslan, Mundy, Damien Dempsey, Sharon Shannon, and Shane McGowan’s band The Popes.
SugaTree, a Celtic-folk trio that combines a mix of guitar riffs with catchy tunes are also coming to the festival, as is south-west singer-songwriter Fiona Kershaw.
These acts join the earlier performer announcements for the 42nd Port Fairy Folk Festival, which included Jack Broadbent, Andy Irvine & Luke Plumb, The Topp Twins, The Teskey Brothers, YolanDa Brown, Steve Poltz, Harry Manx, Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse, Faith I Branko, The Mexicans, Sophie Koh & Her Lady Choir, The Ahern Brothers, Mental As Anything, Rebecca Barnard, Declan O’Rourke, Alan Kelly Gang, The Brothers Comatose, John Spillane, Pauline Scanlon, Chris While & Julie Matthews, Troy Cassar-Daley, Gordie Mackeeman & His Rhythm Boys, Nano Stern, The Band Who Knew Too Much, Amistat, Ben Waters Band with Derek Nash, Black Sorrows, Blair Dunlop, Davidson Brothers, Frank Burkitt Band, Lily & King, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Rory Ellis Trio, Ted Egan, and Victoriana Gaye.
