Austral

Austral are a fully-charged, four-piece Australian tunes band combining didgeridoo, Irish pipes, high energy fiddling, journeying songs and energetic foot percussion, which features multi-instrumental powerhouses Angus Barbary, Caity Brennan, Rhys Crimmin and Connor Hoy. Their music is infectiously danceable and you may find it hard to resist the urge to get up and join the folkie mosh pit yourself. They have developed their own high-energy live stage sound and continue to receive critical acclaim for their 2022 debut album ‘Thylacine’. Winners in the 2022 Australian Folk Music Awards (AFMA), Austral are shaping a new face for music from Celtic roots (and branches) at festivals at home and abroad and are a rising band not to be missed.

ANGE sings JONI

Ange Boxall is a highly acclaimed Singer Songwriter , living on Tasmania'a East Coast. Ange is The Director of Echo Festival. We are delighted to welcome Ange as she presents her beautiful show on Joni.

Joni Mitchell has long left an imprint on the lives of countless admirers.

2021 marked the 50th Anniversary of Joni’s seminal album, ‘Blue’, a coming-of-age travelogue. It’s is an album that has been a trusted and wise companion to many devoted fans over the years, and for those still discovering her genius.
Tasmanian songstress Ange Boxall, accompanied by pianist Tony Fox, will bring some of the songs of Blue, along with other Joni favourites to you in intimate settings throughout Tasmania this October and November.

From A Case of You, to Both Sides Now, to Big Yellow Taxi, this is a show to be loved in itself and remembered.

The Weeping Willows

3 x CMAA ‘Golden Guitar’ and 2021 Australian Folk Music and Music Victoria Award winners, The Weeping Willows (Laura Coates and Andrew Wrigglesworth) are a couple of old souls, steeped in Bluegrass tradition and draped in Gothic Americana imagery. They regale their audiences with stories of sunshine and romance, God and The Devil, murder and decay. That kind of description might make them sound like some carefully contrived concept-act but there’s something truly different about The Weeping Willows: they really mean it…

2017-2022 saw The Weeping Willows nominated for 10 x CMAA ‘Golden Guitar’ awards, 5 x Australian Folk Music Awards (AFMAs), 4 x Country Music Channel (CMC) awards, Live Act of the Year (Country) in the National Live Music Awards (NLMAs), performing an Official Showcase at AmericanaFest (USA), Folk Alliance International (USA), Maverick Festival (UK), Port Fairy Folk Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Out On The Weekend and the Australian Americana Music Honours. In recent years they have supported Lukas Nelson & POTR (USA), Hayes Carll (USA), Iris DeMent (USA), Eilen Jewell (USA) and Willie Watson (USA) and completed national and international tours in support of their sophomore album, Before Darkness Comes A-Callin’, which received four-star reviews in Rolling Stone, The Australian and The Music. A Weeping Willows performance, whether live on location or caught on tape will always delight.

Steve Turner

Our International Act for 2023

Visiting from the UK, Steve Turner is universally acclaimed as one of Britain's finest Folk singers. Critics and audiences are also effusive about his fine concertina playing. Steve Turner will draw you in with his powerful renditions of English Folk songs. This is a deeply traditional vocal art form delivered by a recognised master. Steve's cd, 'The Whirligig of Time', has been widely hailed in the U.K. press as one of the year best traditional recordings.

Suzette Herft

Suzette Herft is an exotic contemporary troubadour, born in Sri Lanka, but a true Melbournian at heart.  Raised on the British pop coming through Radio Ceylon, the country music from her father's record collection, to the American troubadour singer-songwriters that influenced her teens, she finally found her place in the burgeoning Victorian Folk Scene in the 90's. Suzette has a wealth of songs and a mixes these genres with 'rich, smooth chocolatey' voice, heartfelt and soulful lyrics, a joyful sunny countenance with a natural charm and grace that engages her audience. Don't miss this musical medicine woman whose music will heal your heart!

Suzette will lead the Festival Choir in 2023

Daniel J Townsend

A story- singing Poet

The first Artist in the world to release an Album as a podcast. The record “A tale of Two Cities”was composed and recorded when this sixth generation Tasmanian was living in N.T.

Many of us enjoyed the wonderful Midland Highway songs Daniel performed on ABC radio. Stories and songs of his journeys between Hobart and Launceston.

Stan Gottschalk

Stan is a multi-instrumentalist, who has been playing and singing traditional American music for over sixty years. He emigrated to Australia from the US in 1970, and worked as a solo performer at folk clubs and festivals from his arrival to 1988, when he organised the New Holland Honey Eaters string band, which continues to perform to this day. He is a Life Member of community theatre company Three River Theatre; and in 2021 he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Theatre Council of Tasmania. Most recently, he has been a guest performer at the 50th Top Half Folk Festival in the Northern Territory, and performed with the Honey Eaters on stage as part of the “Greek Chorus” he devised as a part of his own production of Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men.

Rosie Haden & Greg Hoepner

Originally from Melbourne, Rosie and Greg arrived in Tasmania late 2020 in the covid spring to set up home under the majestic and magical Mt Roland.
Their pathos driven, dark, bluesy folk and intense rhythmic grooves, accompany melodic tales inspired by TV noir, poets of old and observations on modern life.
Rosie (vocals, guitar) and Greg (bass, guitar, vocals) are accompanied by special guest Linda Pittard on ukulele and harmonies.

"Great voice and great songwriting" - Kristina Olsen
"Beautifully crafted songs" - Mescalito Records
"Hugely popular"- Maldon Folk Festival
"The sounds are all beautifully woody and sultry with those slinky rhythmic vocals" - Julitha Ryan

Phil Beck

English - Australian Singer songwriter

Great to have PHil back this year, all the way from W.A

Phil is a regular at Tamar Valley Folk Festival and we look forward to his performance this year.

Hetty Binns

Hetty Binns was a part of the early Launceston folk scene in the mid-1960s originally with Alex Myers. She performed at Tasmanian folk clubs and festivals as a solo artist, in the duo Joe & Hetty (1967-89) and as a member of The Shoestring Band (1976-89). In the early 1990s Hetty started studying classical singing and, as a member of Launceston’s Kepler Ensemble from 2000-2021, performed songs and arias from the late Renaissance through to the 20th century.

Joan Baez and Bob Dylan were a big part of Hetty’s repertoire through the years, and in 2023 Hetty is looking forward to presenting a themed concert “Diamonds and Rust – Joan Baez and Bob Dylan” which will look into the on-off relationship between these two iconic artists, and the influence it had on them and their music.

Martin Flanagan

Author of 20 books, two film treatments, a play and a book of poems.

Martin was a writer with the Age for many years.

Martin will give a talk on the history of Australian Football.

Keep an eye on the programme for more detail.

Joy Coates

Joy has been a regular at Tamar for many years and ran a singing workshop in 22. This year Joy will run a Ukulele workshop.

If you are an absolute beginner, of whatever age, this is the ukulele work- shop for you! Joy is a long- time fan of the festival and a music teacher from across the Tamar. She specialises in making music- playing, accessible to all. Some ukuleles will be available for use, but bring your own if you can. You will leave knowing at least two chords and we’ll even sing a song or three.

Jack and Molly

Vince and Margie Brophy are Jack and Molly. Celebrating 25 years of touring with their Educational Children's shows, Jack and Molly will perform for us in 2023. An interactive show for children. Tell your friends , this performance is free, Saturday morning.

Jacob Boote

Jacob is a blues, swing, jazz and folk resonator guitarist and banjo player covering the 1920's and 30's eras.

Well known in Tasmania for his eclectic and very entertaining performances somewhat in the style of Leon Redbone.

Amy Pegg

Amy Pegg is a singer-guitar-songwriter, from Tasmania, Australia. Influenced by a wide range of artists, Amy crafts songs that blend elements of Pop, Country, Blues and Folk. Her sweet vocal tone, hand in hand with her relatable songs, ranging from warm soulful tunes to anthems, with heartfelt lyrics, portraying stories of personal hardship and triumphs.

Tony Newport and Craig Dixon

This original show is based on a decade of letters sent to the Editor of the Examiner by regular festival performer and singer/songwriter Tony Newport. With bass singer Steve Trimen and shantyman Craig Dixon performing alongside. Irreverent, poignant but never preachy. Not to be missed.

Vince Brophy

Singer Songwriter Vince Brophy is a regular at Tamar Valley Folk Festival . Now living in the Tamar Valley, where many of his songs have been inspired by the people and the surrounds. We are delighted to have Vince back on stage in 23.

Sean Roche

Internationally renowned artist, not just ‘another’ Irish singer. Sean has a voice you won’t forget. Born in Cork Ireland, Sean has lived in Perth for 40 years, he returned to live in Ireland for a spell and performed all over Ireland, England and Scotland during that time. Sean is an original member of the Settlers band in WA who have 3 very successful recordings to their credit. Sean also has several solo recordings to his name.

Michael Kay

Michael played at the first Tamar Valley Folk festival in 1992 and has appeared in many guises over the years playing banjo, fiddle and mandolin. Over the last 6 years Michael has been fascinated by Persian and middle eastern instruments particularly the Kamancha, Oud, Tar and Setar, performing at concerts to support the Hazara community in Launceston.
Michael will give a workshop demonstrating these instruments and talk about some of the differences between middle eastern and western music.

No gigs will be performed during this workshop.

Miazma Belly Bancers

Join in the fun on Saturday in the street and market as these wonderful ladies perform for our festival. A Belly dance workshop will be held on Saturday.

Sands Family Circus

Fun for all the family with the amazing Sands Family. Opportunities to join in. Bring your friends and children.

Please tell your friends and bring the children

This is a Free Event.

Scott Haigh

Scott was born and raised in George Town .

A singer Songwriter , performing his own music and favourites . We look forward to welcoming him back in 2023.