2025 Lineup

2025’s list of now/soon to be famous performers. Social media links, more photos and website info coming soon!

Alanna & Alicia

Twin sisters Alanna and Alicia captivate audiences with their original folky jazz songs, their quality quirky lyrics, sweet harmonies and twin banter.
Catch them launching their beautiful fifth album, ‘Heart Song Listen,’ produced with support from Creative Victoria, and also singing from their stunning back catalogue, accompanied by brilliant guitarist, Damien Neil.

Andrea Kirwan and Claire Evelynn

What do you get when you combine an Australian/Fijian singer-songwriter with a Celtic Folk Harpist? Truly a match made in heaven with Andrea Kirwin’s rich, soulful vocals set to acoustic guitar, ukulele, cigar box guitar, harmonica, stompbox and the ethereal resonant tones of Claire Evelynn on Celtic Harp.

Ben Chan

Originally hailing from Tamworth, Ben now calls the Indigo Valley home and is often found playing at local establishments. Entertaining the crowds, Ben brings a lively Americana/Folk performance to the stage, incorporating looping and pedal effects into his acoustic guitar playing during performances. As a songwriter, Ben draws inspiration from his time on the road, telling stories and capturing emotion using a plethora of sounds to amplify each song he plays.

Broken Creek

Broken Creek weave compelling musical reimaginings of Australiana for banjo, guitar, fiddle and voice that tell stories from Australia’s past and present. They perform original songs about small-town Australia. Tunes inspired by the land and subversive interpretations of post-colonial bush ballads. 

Cat Magic

With a relaxed folk style this duo embraces audiences with their storytelling of life, love and the future.
From the small country town of Tallangatta , the multi instrumental Cat Magic draw inspiration for their songwriting from the roads they have each travelled and the lives they now lead. 

Clare Sands

A 6th generation fiddler & bilingual singer, Sands has been wowing audiences around the world with her groundbreaking style and infinite warrior energy. Electrifying live performances see Clare on fiddle, guitar, percussion, vocals & cassette recordings. An unmissable raw performer, she takes her audience on an exhilarating journey of celebration, resilience and hope. Channeling the music of her ancestors, Clare Sands is a unique force in Irish music. Weaving traditional roots with contemporary sounds and influences, Sands sings for the young and the old, the brave and the bold.

Clean Coil

Clean Coil are long term friends Will and Peter who’ve been playing music together since they were 14. They won our Yackoustica competition at last year’s YFF and it will be great to have these two gregarious Euroa natives here again, sharing their catchy tunes and stories with a wider audience in 2025. Keep an ear out for new music dropping from them soon.

David Francey

David Francey, a Scottish-born Canadian songwriter, is “one of Canada’s most revered folk poets and singers”, Toronto Star. Originally from Ayrshire, Scotland, he relocated to Canada at a young age, later becoming a carpenter by trade. Francey quietly composed poetry, weaving melodies in his mind, and singing to himself while on the job. Francey is a storyteller of the common worker. His debut album, “Torn Screen Door” released in 1999, marked the start of a distinguished journey that garnered four Juno Awards and covers by esteemed artists like The Del McCoury Band and The Rankin Family. Francey’s trio brings to the stage a gorgeous mix of banjo, bazouki, acoustic guitar, fiddle, and Francey’s Scottish humour, storytelling, and vocals.

Dean Owens and the Sinners

Dean Owens, occupies the unlikely common ground between post-industrial Scotland and the USA’s desert states and fertile ground it is too! From his highly acclaimed “Sinner’s Shrine” album (recorded with musicians from Calexico), to his upcoming release “Spirit Ridge” (recorded in the Italian hills with Don Antonio), Dean’s spellbinding delivery transports his audiences to a dusty, half-imagined hinterland of panoramic vistas, tumbleweeds and cacti. Songs of love and lust, sinners and saints, the displaced, the wanderers and the border ghosts. His Sinners band is a tight 4 piece who make a glorious, brass infused, driving sound that perfectly delivers on the vision of Dean’s original songs. UK Artist Of The Year 2021, 2022, 2023 (UK Album Of The Year 2022) – Americana UK Readers’ Poll Album of the Year #2 – Heaven Magazine (Netherlands) Readers Poll (2022).

Doc Halibut

“Doc Halibut are a mainstay of the Melbourne rock n’ roll roots scene and regulars on the Australian music festival circuit of Woodford, Caloundra, Queenscliff, Echuca Blues, Bendigo Blues and many more. Doc Halibut’s rock n’ roll and pop exhibits an authentic heart and irrepressible energy that carries any audience along for the ride through raucous sections of interpretation and improvisation to precise craftsmanship. Doc’s live shows recreate and reinterpret their songbook with energy, passion and more often than not, a large dose of larrikin humour.

Fiona Boyes

“Fiona Boyes mixes Delta slide guitar, single chord Mississippi Hills grooves, intricate country blues, and refined guitar finger picking… There are very few blues players who put out the explosive mix of superb guitar instrumentation – fingerpicking or slide – a great voice, and top tier songwriting like Boyes.” – Living Blues Magazine USA, Nov/Dec 2023

Forgotten Land

Forgotten Land are a 4 piece local band from Yackandandah and surrounds. Gem King (vocals/guitar), sings from the heart about her life experiences. She is backed up by her husband Dave with his rhythmic beats & legendary friends Deb & Rowan, who play beautiful melodic tunes on the double bass, cello and flute.

Gabby Steel

Gabby Steel is a singer-songwriter with a gift for crafting soulful and memorable folk/indie pop songs. Gabby’s powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics are the centrepiece of her music, and she’s gained a dedicated following thanks to her honest and authentic approach to songwriting. Gabby blends elements of soul, pop and blues to create a style that is both familiar and original. A seasoned live performer, Gabby has played at some of Australia’s most prestigious music festivals including the main stage of Port Fairy’s iconic Folk Festival and the Queenscliff Music Festival. She has also shared the stage with well-known Australian artists such as Owen Campbell, Tex Perkins, Karen Lee Andrews and Kate Ceberano, gaining her reputation as a rising star to listen out for. Gabby is heading back to the studio and will be releasing her new EP in 2025.

Grassy Strings

Grassy Strings brings the energy of bluegrass music to the world stage. Their sound is predominantly bluegrass, but they weave in the essence of American folk, swing and different forms as well.  Souvik Hazra on guitar and vocals and Subhankar Dhar on mandolin weave together traditional tunes and bluegrass standards, even incorporating Indian songs in different languages for a truly unique sound. Their talent isn’t just captivating audiences in India – Grassy Strings has been making waves internationally, performing at several prestigious music festivals across the globe. Their dedication to sharing their music and passion for bluegrass has made them ambassadors for both Indian culture and this vibrant musical genre.

Gusto Gusto

Finalists for the 2023 Australian Folk Music Awards’ Artist of the Year, Gusto Gusto are dance floor favourites. Hailing from West Preston, a tiny pocket in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, the last two years have seen them headlining stages from Glastonbury Festival to Woodford Folk Festival.

Jack Gregory

Jack Gregory is a country music artist living life on the land. The born story teller takes his audiences through a journey of emotions through his songwriting and performances. The 14 year old was the inaugural recipient of the Robyn Johnson Memorial scholarship and graduated from the 2024 Jnr Academy Of Country Music.

Jo Jo Smith & Dean Haitani

Jo Jo Smith is one of australia’s greatest treasures. An inspirational performer who takes her audiences on a lyrical, musically diverse journey of blues, soul, funk, R&B, latin and jazz. Her own songs are a tour de force and along with a unique interpretation of a small, select group of covers, JoJo’s status as one of australia’s finest singer/ songwriters is confirmed. She will be joined by musician, Dean Haitani

Matt Sier

Matt Sier is a songwriter and performer based in Bright, Victoria. He sings and performs with his acoustic guitar, harmonica and banjo. Over the last few years, Matt has been performing for audiences in some interesting locations, such as East Arnhem Land, North East Victoria, Ireland and Edinburgh. Matt’s music draws heavily on places and people he has met while travelling and working in remote Australia and overseas. In 2024, Matt released his debut CD ‘Left Road Right Road’. Tracks from this album have been played on various Australian radio programs (e.g. The Folk Show, Radio Adelaide).

Maggie Rigby

Maggie Rigby is a singer-songwriter from Castlemaine, Central Victoria who is most known for her work with internationally renowned, iconic Melbourne folk band, The Maes. Her 2024 debut solo EP, Best Love in the Universe, showcases Maggie’s world-class songwriting, subtle instrumentation and spine-tingling vocals. In the first year of her solo project, Maggie has appeared at Woodford Folk festival, Celtic Connections Festival in Scotland and opened for Kate Ceberano and Rachel Sermanni.

Mal Webb & Kylie Morrigan

Vocal adventurer, multi-instrumentalist and looping, beatboxing songwriter Mal, sings his brain-provoking songs with guitar, mbira, slide trumpet, trombone and loopers. Kylie (who’s played with Orchestra Victoria, Stevie Wonder and Barry White!) provides violin and voice in perfect balance to Mal’s nutsiness. Imagine Einstein, Dr Seuss and Paganini making pancakes?

Niamh Bury

Niamh Bury is one of the most exciting new voices on the Irish folk scene. Her debut album, Yellow Roses, was released in March 2024, quickly stirring hearts and receiving wide critical acclaim. Niamh’s richly-textured folk sound and singular vocals has lead her to share the stage with acts such as Ye Vagabonds, Flyte, Maddison Cunningham, Dermot Kennedy and Martin Hayes.

Obisun

Obisun isn’t just a band, it’s a family affair. Comprising a mum, dad and son trio, Obisun brings a unique dynamic to the stage that is as harmonious as it is electrifying. With a blend of World Beat, ska, roots, and tribal influences, their music is a celebration of unity and rhythm that transcends boundaries…Obisun = Fun!!

Old Man Leudecke

Old Man Luedecke, is one of Canada’s best loved and most intriguing roots singer-songwriters. Known for his masterful banjo playing and storyteller’s heart, his narrative-driven songs are playful, coy and soul-warming. On his 2024 album, ‘She Told Me Where to Go’ Luedecke let go of the chains and abandoned his signature old-time Appalachian-based sound… and he went electric! A born entertainer so make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to see him live.

Out of Abingdon

Warwick and Tina’s stripped back guitar, double bass, vocal blend is a grooving, soothing, sonic
elixir in a bustling soundscape. The couple’s onstage chemistry, has charmed audiences worldwide for over 15 years.
Known for their original bluesy, lounge tunes and unexpected, reimagined contemporary tunes, Out of
Abingdon are a crowd favourite.

Phil Coyne and the Wayward Aces

Phil Coyne and The Wayward Aces – The tone and fury of classic blues meets rockabilly swing and garage surf drive. The band’s dynamic performances and debut EP have assailed Melbourne’s live music scene, winning fans and earning accolades. With a new album released in August, 2024 is looking mighty.

Pirritu

Pirritu’s music is a gentle, honest, and melodic personal journey that entices you into the depths of sadness, love, and shimmering hope. With two album releases under his belt, This songman’s work, honours a cultural journey to connect back to land, language, and family with a continual thirst for deeper understanding of his people and country. Pirritu’s music, features folk instrumentation weaving amongst his unique vocals like the gentle wind and waters that the Ngiyampaa man sings of.

Rufous Whistler

Rufous Whistler’s contemporary folk seamlessly blends tradition with innovation, traversing diverse musical landscapes to craft wiry narratives through a tapestry of melodies and stories. Rufous Whistler, is the stage moniker of folkster and songwriter Vinny Russell, who has roots in Northeast Victoria (Wiradjuri Country). Known for his campfire-glow voice and multi-instrumental skills, Russell (guitar, bouzouki, mandolin) steps into the limelight and finds his own sound with Rufous Whistler. Accompanied by a cast of talented friends, Rufous Whistler is taking his debut album on tour in 2025. The lineup features Steven Hornby (double bass), Lucy McKenzie-McHarg (fiddle, mandolin), and Dylan Knur (mandolin, fiddle, banjo).

Slipstream

Slipstream, is a group of village dwellers, brought together by a shared love of harmony. Using nothing other than the human voice, Slipstream make acoustic venues reverberate with clever arrangements of folks songs, pop tunes, and contemporary art songs, in four, six, or sometimes eight parts! Slipstream’s 2025 repertoire, is a celebration of song and demonstrates what is possible when ordinary people share a vision, commit to an outcome, and work tirelessly towards achieving natural, acoustic beauty.

Si`ohma

Síomha’s songs in English and Irish, dance the line between folk, jazz and neo-soul, with the rugged landscape of the West of Ireland as her muse. Her voice, full of heart-felt experience, soars over her gypsy jazz and latin influenced guitar playing, taking audiences on an unforgettable cosmic journey.

That Gold Street Sound

Melbourne soul band, That Gold Street Sound, are a party-making machine. Known for an action packed live show, they thrive on audience participation and know how to get a rise from even the shyest punter. There’s a party down on Gold Street and everyone’s invited. Fresh off the plane from their debut international tour of Europe, having played huge shows in France, Italy and Spain, they are set to hit the studio to record a third full length album, before heading back to Europe in 2024 for an even bigger tour. That Gold Street Sound are fiercely independent, 100-per cent self-managed and dedicated to putting on one hell of a live show, jam-packed with original material. This is 100% Independent Melbourne Soul.

The Brothers Brothers

“With fingerpicked arpeggios, a splash of funky electric keyboard, and some close harmonies that suggest Simon & Garfunkel over Willie Nelson, the Brother Brothers offer a bittersweet ode to the touring life and days that seem long past.”
— Rolling Stone Country. The warm harmonies and silky melodies of identical twins David and Adam Moss evoke the kind of ’60s-era folk tunes that reverberated through dark, wood-paneled bars in the Village… “If these brothers aren’t among the Americana Music Association’s nominees for Emerging Artist or Duo-Group, I want a recount.”- No Depression.

The Hardrive Bluegrass Band

The Hardrive Bluegrass Band is Australia’s most traditional bluegrass band, playing Australian original songs and tunes in a traditional bluegrass style. The band has again opened new territory by winning the Victorian and National Country Music Awards Bluegrass and Traditional Country Music Award for their fourth album – Lightning. The timing and hard-driving rhythm, which is the basis of their sound, is an art form which takes years of dedication and work to develop, to capably demonstrate an authentic bluegrass sound. Nick Dear – Mandolin and vocals, Lachlan Dear – Guitar and vocals, Matt Ryan – Double Bass, Dave Hellens – Banjo!

This Way North

This Way North has an appreciation for open space and adventure. Full of rapturous nostalgia, This Way North’s music takes you from moody, tremolo-tinged heart-tuggers to pounding driving alt-psych rock through a sonic landscape of reverb-soaked guitars and rolling rhythms. With odes to 90’s rock sitting on air-tight grooves and full, cinematic spaciousness, This Way North’s music is a portal to summer festivals, their love affair with the road, and an open invitation to turn up the volume and let loose. 

The Tuckshop Ladies

The triceps ain’t what they used to be, but the funny bone has only gotten sharper. Armed with a pair of ukuleles and the sharpest of wits, Australian folk music darlings Sam Lohs and Rosie Burgess share their hilarious, harmonious songs. Renowned for the joy they bring, the Tuck Shop Ladies do not disappoint. 

We Mavericks

Masters in the art of connection, they interweave soulful vocals, effortless strings and driving rhythms into originals with roots in folk and alt-country. Currently performing their new album “Heart of Silver” across Australia, the UK and Europe, prepare for soul-stirring songs with a worldly appeal. 

Zamponistas

Zamponistas: Australia’s premier Bolivian Roving Panpipe Band (not much competition!). Their act is unique. The haunting tones of the Andean panpipes and a heartbeat of percussion create a swirling, syncopated, high energy chorus of sound, the sounds of the Inca realm. Dressed in bright ponchos, they weave in and out of crowds, twisting, turning, spinning – totally engaging audiences and bystanders alike! Some call it guerrilla music, some call it pop-up music. They bring joy and delight wherever they play.