As only 2023 dates had been published, last newsletter we reported that the Illawarra Folk Festival was not proceeding in 2022. We are pleased to advise that organisers of the event have now revealed that the 2022 will take place in a different part of the year than normal. Put 13 to 15 May in your calendars!
FULL LIST OF 2022 AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FESTIVALS at our partner website Listening Through The Lens.
In 2023 the Illawarra Folk Festival dates are 19 to 22 January.
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Artist registrations for The Great Escape 2022 are now officially open.
The Great Escape welcomes artists from every genre across the globe to apply for a chance to play at the world’s most renowned festival for breaking new talent. You could be performing with the beautiful seaside backdrop of Brighton, where 450+ acts will be filling 35 venues, over 11-14 May 2022.
Applications close 13 February 2022.
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As part of Sounds Australia‘s commitment to Folk Alliance International, it will be hosting ‘CLOSE UP’, a two-hour virtual spotlight showcase featuring pre-recorded live performances from twelve Australian artists looking to connect with the international folk music industry.
If you would like to apply for one of the limited showcasing spots, please complete the application and submit it by 5pm AEDT Wednesday 8 December 2021.
Please note that priority will be given to artists from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
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Folk Alliance International has announced the Official Showcase performers for its Conference in Kansas City, Missouri to be held February 23 to 27, 2022 (both as a live and on-line event).
We are excited to reveal many Australian artists have been selected for the prestigious event which represents a highly valuable opportunity to show their talents in front of many important global music industry representatives.
The Australian artists are:
Georgia Mooney (NSW)
Xani (VIC) – Finalist Australian Folk Music Awards 2021
The Heart Collectors (NSW)
Anna Smyrk (VIC)
Nigel Wearne (VIC)
Charm Of Finches (VIC) – Winner Australian Folk Music Awards 2021
Colin Lillie (NT)
Congratulations to all!!
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The leader of one of the major influential Irish music bands The Chieftains has passed away.
Paddy Moloney, who guided the band that keep the flame of traditional Irish jigs and ballads for almost sixty years, died October 11 in Dublin at the age of 83.
READ THE WASHINGTON POST OBITUARY
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Winner of the 2021 Alistair Hullett Award / Songs for Social Justice
The second single “Busking on the Road” from Snez’s album Fisher on the Sea is out now with a music clip in tow.
Sadly most of her tours for Sep-Oct this year were cancelled, like most musicians, but Snez is hopeful about getting out on the road from 2022.
“Busking on the Road” is a thank you song to all venue hosts and fans who continue to support musicians
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The Victorian Live Music Census 2021 has been released by Music Victoria.
The census is designed to shape the Victorian Government’s future investment into the State’s live music scene.
If you’re a musician or DJ who performed at gigs/events in Victoria in 2019-2021, complete the Victorian Live Music Performer Survey.
If you attended live music events in Victoria between 2019 and 2021, complete the Victorian Live Music Attendee Survey.
If you performed AND attended gigs as a punter, you are encouraged to fill out both.
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Amanda MacLean is trying to find news of Colin Douglas, known as the Ceilidh Singer, originally Scottish but lived in Sydney for many years.
She would like to contact him about a paper she is writing for the Folk Music Journal that uses some quotes from him. She can no longer find him on Facebook and his website has disappeared too, and his email is discontinued.
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A new festival is on the horizon!
Cresfest will be held April 1 – 3 2022 in Creswick in the beautiful goldfields region of Victoria.
Live performances will include:
Emma Donovan and the Putbacks;
Eric Bogle Trio;
The Royal High Jinx;
Fools;
Parvyn Singh and Josh Bennett;
Evan and Mischa;
Zourouna;
Melbourne Scottish Fiddlers
and more to come.
To keep informed on Cresfest news JOIN THE MAILING LIST HERE
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FAA’s partner organisation music website Listening Through The Lens has recently published the first iteration of a list of Australian music festivals for next year (a range of music genres).
The article includes around 400 festivals in all. As of October 2021, just over 110 of those events have published dates for 2022, representing just below 30% of the total. Given that many events occur in the second half of the year, there will be a delay in 2022 dates being announced. Overall, it seems to be a positive sign that live events will be returning in significant numbers next year (given no other public health (impacts).
State-by-State, events with announced dates are Victoria (41), NSW (29), Queensland (19), Tasmania (10), SA (6), WA (4), NT (2) and ACT (1).
At the time of its publication, only two events have definitively advised that they will not be proceeding in 2022 – Ten Days On The Island (Tas) and Illawarra Folk Festival (NSW).
Details of these events are updated monthly.
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