Australian folk rock band Weddings, Parties, Anything will be heading to the south-west for the music festival next March. They will be joined by Indigenous singer-songwriter Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, rising star Kee'Ahn and chanteuse duo Baby et Lulu.

Hoping the international border restrictions have fallen will be Eric Bibb, Courtney Marie Andrews, Eilen Jewell and Mandolin Orange from the United States, Scotland's Elephant Sessions and the United Kingdom's Jon Boden, who round out the first line-up announcement.

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The 2021 festival was postponed amid the coronavirus pandemic but a small concert series will take place on the March long-weekend.

Program director Justin Rudge said the calibre of artists announced was high with three of the 10 acts nominated for Grammys including most recently Courtney Marie Andrews for Best Americana Album in the 2020 awards.

"At this stage we're working towards a business as usual festival in 2022," he said. "We're working towards a full festival with a similar amount of international acts but we're mindful of booking duos and solo instead of 20-piece bands amid the uncertainty.

"I was keen to show through the lineup that I wasn't going to turn the festival into something it's not. I hope these 10 artists are reflective of what audiences want in 2022.

"Some of these conversations with acts started the day I got the job in June and we're excited to have back some familiar and new faces to the festival."

Mr Rudge said the pandemic allowed the festival committee to reset and reflect on the event and he hoped the new lineup would add excitement to the loyal attendees and newcomers.

"I think Kee'ahn will be massive by the time 2022 comes around, the star is rising very quickly there," he said. "Mandolin Orange is a big get in terms of world renowned acts and they'll blow people away.

"Elephant Sessions are a high-energy dance band with Celtic traditions, they're modern yet have traditional roots. It's their first time at the Folk Festival and I'm excited to see what audiences think or if I'll be run out of town with my bold choice."

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The Port Fairy Folk Festival's March concert series sold out within the first day of ticket sales and Mr Rudge said the 2022 festival would build on the history of the festival and close-connection to the township.

''We were ecstatic when the series sold out within hours," he said. "It shows the thirst to experience live music in Port Fairy, with its extraordinary history, and the desire for audiences to return to our glorious seaside location to experience the best in music from around the world in the safest possible way.

''We can't wait to welcome artists from around Australia and the world to Port Fairy in 2022 as things continue to improve with the pandemic. Announcing the festival, a full 12 months in advance will provide audiences with plenty of time to plan their Port Fairy experience.

"We're looking forward to working with businesses in town and making it a better weekend for them. We know people are coming to Port Fairy over the regular weekend and we want them to be excited for what's coming."

The 45th Port Fairy Folk Festival will take place from March 11-14, 2022.

Subscriber tickets go on sale from March 1 and all tickets are available from March 4. For further information visit portfairyfolkfestival.com

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