Martin & Eliza Carthy (UK)
“Few performers have been so influential and attracted so many accolades as Martin Carthy. Described as “incredible” by Bob Dylan, and hailed as “arguably the greatest English folk song performer, writer, collector and editor of them all” by Q Magazine, Martin was awarded an MBE for services to English music in 1998.
Bohemian Nights (Australia)
Violinist Ernie Gruner and accordionist/singer Phil Carroll play Gypsy, Klezmer, Middle-Eastern, French, Italian, Russian, jazz and tango music which range from soulful to wild.
The Windy City Strugglers (NZ)
The Windy City Strugglers have been playing together since they formed in Wellington in 1968. With founders Bill Lake, Geoff Rashbrooke and Rick Bryant still at the helm, and mid-70s additions Andrew Delahunty and Nick Bollinger completing the five-piece line-up, they have released a series of albums and performed throughout New Zealand and in Europe.
The Federal String Band (NZ)
The Federal String Band (Frank John, Erin Manu, Cameron ‘Dusty’ Burnell and Andrew Bicknell) feature tight three part harmonies and sing a unique range of styles, from railroad hollers and gravelly delta blues to country, gospel and the high lonesome sound typical of bluegrass music.
10dd (NZ)
10dd, the acapella 10cc Tribute group, perform a variety of 10cc songs, with humour and a little bit of reverence… just a touch..
Millennium Hippies (NZ)
Millennium Hippies are Mark Laurent and Brenda Liddiard.
‘Chinook’ is the Canadian name for a hot, summery breeze in midwinter bringing warmth and perhaps a touch of madness, just as the fiery, exciting music of Québec does to all who hear it.
Jade are David Chadwick, Peter Conway and Mike Dew. They got together as a band in the mid-1970s in Wellington, starting out with a regular spot at the Settlement restaurant. Later they held down weekly gigs at the Royal Tiger and the Cambridge. Jade soon moved from playing Bob Dylan and Neil Young covers into traditional British folk music (although they were never precious – they played anything and everything they liked).
Joseph Balfe is a self-taught 15yr old fingerstyle guitarist from Oamaru NZ, inspired by the likes of Tommy Emmanuel, Michael Fix & Adam Rafferty
Into the East. If you haven’t heard this sparkling duo already you are in for a treat at Wellyfest. Since busting onto the scene as a pair of Southern unknowns in 2013, Graeme Woller & Liv McBride have gathered a strong following
Flix Rose is a Wellington based singer/songwriter whose alternative Indie Folk style combines angelic vocals with both ukulele and guitar.
AL YOUNG is an elder statesman of New Zealand blues and folk. He’s played every major folk festival in the country – and some in Australia – he’s been a featured artist on the annual “Beale St Mess Around” in Memphis, Tennessee three times, he won a Tui Award before they were called Tuis … he’s even played acoustic blues on New Zealand television and radio.
MIKE HARDING a musical storyteller at ease with his instrument, his audience and his mission to sing the songs of the present and the past, taking us from our folk roots to where we are now.
Bear Cat are one of the most joyful, strange, funny and charming bands of the new folk movement.
The Madillionaires, Peter Madill, Jean Barkman, Jude Madill, Jenny Kilpatrick and Tony Ricketts, are a trifusion of sorts – three separate acts, two generations and something else entirely.
Although they have diverse musical interests there is considerable common ground among them and that is what they bring to you here.
The People’s Choice – Parryphonalia
People’s Choice winners Parryphonalia: a four piece folk group, individually all accomplished musicians, when they get together, something magic happens.