Lillian McVeity is a brilliant young singer/songwriter/guitarist. She delivers with sophistication that is well beyond her years. Lillian writes captivating lyrics and accompanies her vocals with exquisite guitar. Lillian also plays an eclectic mix of covers that she reinvents with tantalising style and splendor. She performs regularly on stages around the Sapphire Coast and local music festivals, enchanting audiences at every gig.
Brothers Brían and Diarmuid Mac Gloinn grew up playing music together around their hometown of Carlow, a small town in the southeast of Ireland. After moving to Dublin in 2012, they quickly became a staple of the live music and session scene in Ireland, playing their own original songs as well as folk songs from Ireland, Scotland, England. Their new album, the Hare’s Lament is being compared to the exquisite harmonies and musical intricacies of the legendary Planxty.
Equally at home with folk, gospel and rock music, Will Kimbrough is an Alabama native living in Nashville, he zig zags the world singing songs and playing guitars, often solo, but also in many other collaborations, including with Emmy Lou Harris, Rodney Crowell and Jimmy Buffett. When not touring Will spends his days writing songs, producing artists, recording music in a studio, being creative with band members and spending time with his family.
Élisabeth Moquin, Thierry Clouette and Élisabeth Giroux offer a very dynamic and modern vision of Québec traditional music. The musical arrangements are shaded with influences of folk, progressive rock and classical music interpreted on fiddle, Irish bouzouki and cello. Élisabeth Moquin adds special colour through her masterful step dancing. Their original compositions and unusual arrangements of traditional tunes combine with rich vocal harmonies, musical drive, instrumental virtuosity and remarkable on-stage complicity. É.T.É transforms the traditional kitchen party into an entertaining and lively performance. É.T.É won Émergence of the Grands prix Desjardins de la culture de Lanaudière 2017 in 2017.
And another Cobargo favourite, Mike Martin is perhaps best known for his passion for traditional Australian bush music its’ roots and history. So for many, the release of his debut album will come as a revelation… The Strelley Project is a finely crafted set of Mike’s songs performed by a bunch of consummate musicians …. Individually they are superb .. collectively they take the songs to a new level.
The Sweet Valentinos create music inspired by the beautiful songs of Michael Hanlon. Their music is an exciting fusion of melodies and rhythms inspired by the eclectic and diverse musical influences of the individual band members. Melodies seasoned with percussion, double bass, melodica, violin, guitars and the jangle of a piano. Ragged rural rhythms and dreamy beatnik undertones. Their music is a wide open field on a summer afternoon.
Master Australian musician Lindsay Martin brings sensitive strings and velvet vocals, while New Zealand’s songstress Victoria Vigenser delivers driving rhythms and lyric with a truly magnificent voice. Musical twins and mavericks besides, their hooky originals and crazy stories will have you enthralled.
Canadian Roots powerhouse duo The Small Glories are Cara Luft (Wailin’ Jennys) and JD Edwards. With soaring, interwoven vocals on various combinations of stomping clawhammer banjo, guitar and harmonica, and a stage banter striking a unique balance between slapstick and sermon, these veteran singer-songwriters have a way of making time disappear, rooms shrink, and audiences feel as they are right there on the stage with the band. Singing along is encouraged
Winner of the 2019 Folk Victoria Graham Squance Memorial Award for her contribution to Folk Music, Suzette Herft has a sublime voice, heartfelt, soulful, original songs, a joyful sunny countenance and natural charm and grace to touch your soul. “Suzette owns the essence of the Baez repertoire with a poise, charm, confidence and ease that carries hapless listeners away on that dreaming trip when music transcends time and place. This is the gift of a very skilled folk singer.” Jamie McKew (Former Festival Director, Port Fairy Folk Festival)
All the way from Co. Clare, Ireland, the prodigiously gifted Susan O’Neill’s soulful & husky-voiced performances are truly something to behold. With a striking attitude, guitar, harmonica, trumpet and a loop pedal, Susan delivers a timeless and powerful blend of the old soul with a new edge.
Taiko means drum in Japanese. Stonewave Taiko means Bega Valley’s own taiko group. Experience the explosive, high energy, earthy rhythms of Stonewave Taiko in this special performance featuring local Cobargo Stonewave Taiko players.
STARTIJENN (energy in Breton) draws the necessary energy out of its roots to create a powerful, efficient, and contemporary sound. Since its creation in 1997, when the founding members were only 13 years old, the group gave itself a mission: To shake-up festivals and concerts in Brittany, France, and worldwide. The five-piece band fuses traditional instruments with a rhythm section offering very lively Breton music through original compositions. The band feeds of the excitement and enthusiasm of their audiences. Bring your dancing shoes.
Skorba presents the magnificence of the history of the Maltentese Islands in beautifully composed and played songs and thrilling visual images. Lutes, cello, voices, wind instruments and percussion combine in a glorious mosaic of music inspired by the Renaissance period, the Mediterranean and the Ottoman Empire.
Hot festival favourites, Shortis and Simpson are a Canberra-based cabaret act that specialise in shows related to history and politics. Their shows are noted for their humour and poignancy, deep research, vocal versatility, brilliant songwriting, and surprising information.
The Passionate Fools (Wendy Jackson and Peter Hisco), who have made Cobargo their home, have recently been having too much musical fun with the ‘Executive Team’ of Zena Armstrong and Peter Logue. Peter’s keyboard / accordion and Zena’s percussion / whistles added to the already dynamic mix of Wendy and Peter’s soaring vocals and multitude of acoustic instruments has created an exciting 4 piece band that is sure to have you swinging… and smiling. Add to this, our special guest, Dave O’Neill, and you have a magical combination of like-minded musicians ready to give you a special treat!
O’Neill’s Folly are late musical bloomers, singing and playing Celtic and Americana music on guitar, mandolin, fiddle and banjo. They sing songs of love, death and history in multi-textured arrangements that lift both the band and the listener. Come be entertained, surprised and even inspired by their infectious enthusiasm and shared joy of life and music.
Narrownecks are an old time string band with unique style that incorporates contemporary virtuosity and arrangements.
Winner of 2018 Folk and Roots Album of the Year (The Age Music Victoria Awards) and named for one of the top 10 Songs of 2018 (The Australian Newspaper), Michael Waugh gives a profound new voice to the Australian experience. His insightful storytelling cuts to the heart of everyday life. It is honest, emotionally brave and compelling in its beauty. He has been likened to the iconic Australian singer songwriters Mick Thomas, Paul Kelly and John Williamson. Michael performs with Rich Davis and Craig Kelly (of Rich Davis and the Low Road). Tight three piece, double bass, guitars and three-part harmony.
Mica Lynnah is a locally based dance teacher, artist, and performer. She has trained in many styles of dance and movement within Australia and abroad, and her work is informed and influenced by various forms of contemporary and world dance. Mica has been teaching for over 10 years, and continues to enjoy collaborating on various dance and theatre projects in the ACT and NSW. She is well known on the South Coast for roving performance troupe The Haniyami and her Kate Bush tribute group Great Bush.
Maypole with Molly interactive dance sessions encourage children and adults to dance around the maypole or play percussion. Dancers will learn how to make a Barber’s Pole, a colourful Weaving Pattern and a Spider’s Web with maypole ribbons. Formed in 2009, they have provided kids’ dance sessions at folk festivals at the National, Kangaroo Valley, Major’s Creek, Cobargo, Numeralla, Illawarra, Port Fairy, St Albans and Tilba. Founder and accordionist, Erika Cleaver (Molly) has been an accompanist and leader of several folk dance groups and is an experienced early childhood teacher who loves sharing music and dance with kids.
Martin is renowned as not only a marvellous satirist but also as a wonderful poet, musician, singer and author. He regularly performs at every major folk music festival and folk venue in the country. His appearances and performances at the prestigious National Folk Festival are legendary and he always fills the largest venues of that huge festival to overflowing. A wonderful night of sparkling comedy and great entertainment
House of Song is a one-woman show which charts Marcia Howard’s 30 years as a singer/songwriter including her years as a member of the iconic Australian band, Goanna. Over the 90-minute performance, Marcia will share the inspirations that have consistently informed her song writing and performing – her Irish roots and her love and respect for the Indigenous Australian perspectives on life and place. The songs that Marcia has written for House of Song are melodic and captivating. They explore our relationships with politics, family and place. Marcia’s story is compelling. She grew up in a house of musicians; a large, multi-talented family who provided music for their community.Marcia Howard is an original, compelling and charismatic songwriter and performer. She hopes that by sharing her deep love of song, she will help people embrace their own unique sound and voice.
Maggie Carty, banjo player and singer from the West of Ireland moved to Australia in 2017 and has been performing widely here at festivals including Port Fairy Folk Festival, National Folk Festival, National Celtic Festival, Illawarra Folk Festival and venues across VIC and NSW. Now Melbourne based she has joined forces with Máirtín Staunton (Flute/Vocals), Ado Barker (Fiddle), Gerry McKeague (Guitar, Vocals) and Thomas Botting (Double Bass) to form the Maggie Carty band. The group perform a mix of traditional Irish tunes and folk song with three-part harmonies and jazz undertones. On stage the group have a natural ease with each other, and their enjoyment and sense of fun is palpable and infectious!
Luke Plumb and Kate Burke share a love for 1970s Irish folk revival music, having obsessively absorbed the music of the era – in particular Planxty’s revolutionary treatments of traditional songs. Luke spent many years playing with Scottish acid croft pioneers Shooglenifty, and Kate has long collaborated with Ruth Hazleton and Trouble in the Kitchen. Since then they have each toured with legendary Irish musician Andy Irvine.
New to Cobargo and with a ‘strong yet gentle voice, an art for weaving beauty and truth into the words of each song, Khristian Mizzi reaches the hearts of audiences. His songs elegantly articulate many contemporary issues Australia are facing today. His award winning songs leave listeners feeling they have experienced something truly special. Poetic lyrics, meandering melodies and ‘a voice like a warm hug’, along with a unique picking style, Mizzi is a complete artist and is renowned for his intimate performances and thoughtful songs throughout Australia. .
Kerryn Fields’ thoughtful and powerful songs, baritone brilliance and unassuming string-plucking virtuosity leave audiences transfixed, crying, hysterically laughing and dipping their fingers into all the layers of the universe – after which they lick them in public, because this life is kind of delicious.
Now based in sunny Scotland, indie folk & blues songsmith, Jenny Biddle, returns to Australia to launch her 7th album! Feisty guitarist, poignant lyricist and recovering chocoholic, catch this seasoned performer and her witty stage banter while she’s back in Oz!
Scottish duo, The Jellyman’s Daughter, lands squarely in the middle of an intriguing crossroads between Bluegrass, Post- Rock, Folk and Soul.Mixing their unique vocal harmonies with wild and visceral cello, driving guitar and sweet mandolin, Emily & Graham write their songs together with a focus on something new. Our Festival is a proud supporter of the 2020 “Year of Scotland” in Australia.
Jan ‘Yarn’ Wositzky was a Scots-Czech emigrant kid who came in 1956 and finished up discovering Australia, its songs and stories. Beginning in 1971 as a Bushwackers founder, Jan combines career with adventures and brings the fruits of his travels to audiences in shows that segue from music and song to storytelling and theatre, accompanying himself with 5-string banjo, harmonica, bodhran, bones and spoons. Always coming up with something new and surprising to add the national story, he conveys it all with a laid back style, loads of laughs and subtle politics – all strung together with a good yarn (pun intended).
Jackson State are a fast emerging Far South Coast band that play an eclectic farm-fresh blend of soul infused R&B and funky roots music with generous overtones of folky Hickster. The musings of Steve Jackson on guitar supported by legendary Cobargo icon Damon Davies on double bass and the amazing Jon “Trapper’ Trevena on percussion. With 30 years playing behind him Steve Jackson is the new boy on the ‘Candelo music scene block’ but is supported by two of Australia’s finest musicians, another musical gem from the deep south, not to be missed.
Ivy Lucille is a wild, theatrical songstress based in Melbourne. Drawing from the depths of the Great Mother Earth to the Spiritual Sky, Ivy has cultivated her own distinct sound through exploring the human psyche, spirituality and a broad spectrum of musical styles. Ivy has captivated audiences far and wide with her crazy cabaret and through her powerful, emotive compositions. Her songs tell stories of other worlds, weaving ethereal, operatic vocals and old worldly piano. Join Ivy as she takes you on a heart felt journey through the valleys and peaks of theatrical mystique, unleashing the powers that be.
Making another welcome return to our festival are Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse. Winner; Best Indigenous Act – 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 – West Australian Music Industry (WAMi) Awards, as well as WA of the year for 2017 and 2018 WA Women’s hall of fame. This is a rare act that connects deeply with audiences through guitar brilliance and breathtaking voice. You know when it happens, that magical moment when a hush falls over the room; and it’s even more special when it’s in a rare language. Gina is one of less than 400 speakers left of Noongar language. With the blessings of elders and community, Gina and Guy will take you on an incredible, unforgettable journey you will not get anywhere else.
Fran’s passion is to share her enthusiasm for dance so that others can feel the joy that it brings to mind, body and soul. She’s been a long term supporter of our festival, co-organises our dance program and also plays a key role in organising the annual Numeralla Folk Festival.
Great to see young artists graduate from our Crossing Youth Stage onto the main Festival program. Felicity Dowd is a Singer Songwriter from Bega, NSW. In 2018, she was accepted into and graduated from the Junior CMAA Academy of Country Music. In the 2019 Tamworth Songwriters Salute Awards, two of her originals, “Road Called Life” and “Never Going Home” were recognised among the top 5 finalists in the youth category. Felicity is a storyteller, who loves to play with words and inspire emotion in other people through her music.
Australia’s favourite festival duo. Top shelf entertainers with three decades of songwriting and the best of accompaniment. Superb new album Kitchen Ballads released in 2019.
Eleanor McEvoy is one of Ireland’s most revered singer-songwriters and is making her first visit to our Festival. Originally a session musician, Eleanor has been a staple of contemporary Irish folk music since the release of the ‘A Woman’s Heart’ compilation album in 1992, which featured her title track ‘Only A Woman’s Heart’. The album is the most successful Irish album of all time.
Members of our program team spotted these guys doing a blackboard gig at the National Folk Festival last year. Doc & The Delegates are a street music string band from Newcastle Australia. In the band’s short life, their virtuosic and energetic live performances have brought joy to raucous audiences, at festivals, bars, and on street corners up and down the coast. Their first release ‘Real To Reel’ is a live session album that captures the intangible joy of skilled musicians together in the same room, around a mic, straight to tape, recording how it used to be done. Everything from straight ahead bluegrass to Cuban son, classical and punk.
Of interest to all musicians and others, Dave teaches the Alexander Technique and has performed as guitarist and banjo player in many bands, including Lolo Lovina, and Tapestries of Sound. Constant playing led to discomfort in his arms, It wasn’t until he discovered the Alexander Technique realised he’d been the cause of his own problems. He loves to help others discover how to move with ease and avoid injury.
Ahoy me hearties! Canberra Shanty Club is a community singing group that runs traditional singing sessions in Canberra. They love a good sea shanty, but will sing almost anything with a chorus. All singing levels welcome. We’ll teach you everything you need to know to chant up a storm. If you can stamp and shout and show some passion we want YOU for shanty club!
There’s nothing CJ Shaw can’t do! The folk all rounder, award winner and ABC Radio regular is the can-do performer of any event. With incredible word play, intricate finger picking, soulful harmonica and a regular does of Australian humour, CJ Shaw’s performances stay with the audience for years to come.
Lead by the indefatigable Ray Mulligan, these morning sessions are hugely popular. Bring along your instrument to play tunes at a reasonable pace. The session is intended for people who can play an instrument in the company of others. Written music is supplied for those who want it. The handout will be used for these sessions as well as for the Slow Sessions run earlier in the day.
Dance the night away to the hottest band this side of the Murrumbidgee. The Burnt Roast Band are a fine collection of seasoned musicians arising from the ashes of the Canberra chapter of British Masterchef. (AKA the Old Empire Band) They strive to present their English dance music ”well done” or perhaps even with some crackling tunes.The band loves to session and regularly gathers around the Pot Belly Stove in Belconnen (which means they have some great English tunes to share).
World renowned guitar virtuoso Bruce Mathiske captivates with his musically evocative celebration of this vibrant and diverse instrument. Mathiske has travelled the world and those travels have influenced his music significantly, as he is inspired by global styles and flavours, rhythms and sounds.
You will be taken on a journey with infectious rhythms and fiery fretwork to delicate melodies that blend beautifully with the orchestral tones of percussionist Adam Manning.
Long time Cobargo favourites, it is fitting to have this duo back for our 25 th anniversary. Well-known as Stringfiddle in Heritage and Scottish dance circles, Bob and Jane enjoy extending their repertoire into other aspects of traditional music, from reflective beauty to wild excitement, they bring empathy and rapport to the interplay of fiddle and piano.
Formerly singer with Opera Australia, Ami Williamson has earned herself an enviable reputation as one of Australia’s leading Folk Singer/Songwriters impressing none other than Judy Collins who nominated her her favourite Australian act. “Forceful, funny, powerful and poetic, Ami Williamson is a Folk Singer/Songwriter like none other! I cried, I laughed, then both at the same time; one woman show at its best” – (SMH). Ami is the daughter of True Blue John Williamson.
A powerful show of stunning contemporary Māori music, dance, instruments, language, stories and costumes. The queen of live loops is back in force after a break from touring and this new show is her best yet”. Songlines Magazine 2019. A fierce all-female Māori world-roots production showcasing the virtues of Indigenous feminine power and inspiring cultural identity. Ancient chants, intricate harmonies, traditional & contemporary instruments, beats & bass, by internationally renowned “Queen of Loops”, Mihirangi. Lyrics celebrating Indigenous values, lore and customs. Featuring contemporary Māori dancers, women’s haka, Māori weaponry and martial arts, an inclusive, informative and inspiring cultural performance.
