General News
26 June, 2026
First artists announced for 2027 Folkie
ORGANISERS of the 50th Port Fairy Folk Festival, to be held next year, have announced the first line-up of artists for the event.
The festival’s golden year is expected to be even bigger and better before, with organisers already working hard to secure artists.
Among the first to commit for the March 2027 event were The Milk Carton Kids and Tim Easton from the United States of America; Ireland’s Daoirf Farrell, Eleanor McEvoy and Joshua Burnside, and Scotland’s Dlu and Skerryvore.
Also included in last week’s release of artists were:
Alosa, The Burning Hell (Canada), Grace Petrie (England), John Butler and band, Kate Rusby (England), Kutcha Edwards, Mia Dyson, Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission, The Settlement, and We Mavericks.
The first artist announcement marks just the beginning of artists for 2027 and the start of celebrations of the festival’s rich history with more artists, more special anniversary events, more family programs and opportunities to revisit iconic moments from the festival’s archives to be revealed in the months ahead.
Next year marks five decades of music, community and shared memories in Port Fairy.
From its humble beginnings in 1977, the festival has grown into one of the world’s most respected celebrations of folk music.
It continues to draw artists and audiences from across the globe while remaining firmly anchored in the values that have defined it from the start; community, connection and love of music.
For the not-for-profit festival, led by a volunteer committee from the community and a small army of passionate volunteers, the excitement and pride to bring the festival to such a historic milestone is palpable.
Today, many of the children who once danced barefoot in their faded denims to music performed on the back of a truck, are returning with children and grandchildren of their own.
The festival has become a multi-generational event with families, friends and music lovers heading to Port Fairy year after year, decade after decade.
The appetite for the folkie’s 50th anniversary event has already proved extraordinary with a record-breaking number of tickets sold within the first week of release.
Port Fairy Folk Festival program director Justin Rudge said the 50th anniversary represented an opportunity to celebrate the people who have shaped the festival across five remarkable decades.
“Together with the volunteer committee and team, it’s such an honour to be the custodians of an event so loved by so many,” Mr Rudge said.
“This first artist lineup is the folkie at its best – artists of the year, international stars, and the cream of local artists.
“Some are coming back for their 10th visit, others on their first voyage to Port Fairy and Australia. And it’s just the beginning.
“We have so much more in store for our amazing audience. It’s a wonderful chance to reflect on the past and nurture the Port Fairy experience for generations to come; this celebration will truly have something for everyone.”
The 50th Port Fairy Folk Festival will take place in the town, again over the Labour Day long weekend, March 5-8, 2027.
For further information visit portfairyfolkfestival.com
