Albi (Auckland, NZ)
His intriguing appearance may gain your attention but his musical abilities will certainly keep it. Albi’s often soft sound is reminiscent of the late Jeff Buckley with a reserved element of fierceness that you can’t help but anticipate eagerly.

His stand out voice has been characterized as a smooth rasp that is unhindered no matter the pitch. His songwriting is soaked with passion and emotion from conception through to production.

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Bruce Watson (Australia)
“……a wordsmith, a teller of tales, a spinner of yarns he tells with passion and integrity. An Australian folk hero”  Bruce’s performances are joyful, hilarious and thoroughly engaging, with witty lyrics and energetic presentation.

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David Barnes (Wellington, NZ)
Stalwart of many a singing session and a seasoned performer of unaccompanied material, David enjoys singing with rather than to an audience. He hosted a regular singing session and has appeared at clubs and festivals around NZ and at Cygnet Folk Festival in Tasmania. With a repertoire including plenty of opportunities to join in, he presents both traditional and newer songs.

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Enda Kenny & Lindsay Martin (Australia)
Australia’s favourite festival duo have been delighting audiences for over two decades. Thoughtful and incisive lyrics and the best fiddle and mandolin accompaniment going round. Frequent pond crossers and a new album recorded early this year.

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John the Baptist (Wellington, NZ)
John the Baptist is an energetic four-piece band from Wellington. Their music blends elements of folk, rock, country, and pop into a distinctively natural voice. In a John the Baptist show there is an exciting and diverse range of demographics represented and united with a common energetic release. It’s the ability to access human commonality that truly makes this folk music.

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Mark Mazengarb and Loren Barrigar (NZ & USA)
Loren Barrigar and Mark Mazengarb share a unique musical chemistry seldom found among musicians. Original and arranged music including stunning guitar duets as well as songs influenced by Bluegrass, Jazz and Americana;. Loren and Mark have toured extensively throughout Europe and the USA.

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Paddy Burgin and the Wooden Box Band (Wellington, NZ)
Paddy Burgin is a Wellington musician and guitar maker. Together with the Wooden Box Band he has made two CDs of original songs and instrumentals inspired by the history and landscape of this country in a style he calls “unofficial kiwi folk”.

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Penman McNeill Alley (NZ)
Chris Penman has been a major part of the Folk Scene in NZ for over 30 years, consistently wowing audiences with her incredibly strong, clear vocals and repertoire. Since teaming up with multiple TUI AWARD winner, Bob McNeill and Dave Alley, they have become a force to reckoned with – performing Bobs originals and songs from Chris and Bob’s native Scotland.

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RavenMavens (Wellington, NZ)
Cindy Muggeridge and Marian Carter are two slinky songbirds. They have a love for the evergreen, bright and breezy, jazzy songs 
that take you places and put a twinkle in your eye.

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RIOGH (Australia)
Six-piece band Riogh is steeped in the lively musical traditions of Ireland. Passionate, transcendent, physical and sublime. Audiences are swept along on an undercurrent of energy; a vocal and musical tour-de force which is joyful and compelling, subtle, and original.

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Roaring Forties (Australia)
The Roaring Forties is a four piece Australian “spirited pre-acapellan group” performing English traditional-style songs. They also sing finely crafted original songs – many accompanied. Robust choruses, harmonies and wit abound. Topics include working life (especially maritime), history and protest songs.