The Heart Collectors

Merging the inspiration of the 60s and 70s inspired folk and roots music, their latest sound has grown to include delicately played piano, atmospheric  electric  guitar, melodic banjo, bowed mandolin and haunting cello. These instruments combine to create intimate acoustic harmony driven songs, catchy folk  /pop themes, upbeat "epic anthems" and the cosmic tonalities heard in their current work.

The Royal Highjinx

Melbourne's mesmerising contemporary world music band ‘The Royal High Jinx’ have burst onto Australian festival stages with originality, virtuosity & theatricality. Their songs & tunes are inspired by European traditions, peppered with Gypsy Jazz, Balkan & Swing grooves, with a pinch of Folk Cabaret. The Royal High Jinx have performed at major festivals across Australia and internationally. Having released 3 exciting albums, The Royal High Jinx have been described as the "Balkan Abba" for their catchy songs and glamorous show. Join a world of celebration and thrills as you sing along to and dance to Melbourne's most colourful festival band at this year’s festival.

Forte

Forté's music is a heartfelt journey of love and hope. Through his personal development quest, he found balance between ego and expression, inspiring authentic compositions. With gusto, he performs to brighten people's days, spreading joy and compassion. Let his music put a smile on your face and uplift your spirit.

Emily Sanzaro

Emily is an innovative contemporary harpist, vocalist, violinist & electronic loop artist based in Launceston, Tasmania.

Emily specialises in creating original compositions, contemporary covers, improvisations and experimentation. She also  enjoys playing a wide range of musical genres on the harp, harnessing the versatility of the instrument. Emily relishes any  opportunity to depart from the type of music audiences expect to hear from a harp. Emily combines harp, vocals, violin,  percussion and pedal effects into her solo performance creating a complex, multi-layered sound.

Emily is a versatile performer, with experience in numerous solo and collaborative performance contexts within Tasmania  and beyond. Emily released her debut solo album of original music ‘AWAKEN’ in 2021, performed for TEDx Hobart in 2022 and has recently completed a solo residency at MONA.

The Bad Dad Orchestra

A simple idea born of fatherhood, friendship and music has flourished and taken shape. THE BAD DAD ORCHESTRA, formed in mid-2015 from a concept devised by the bands late guitarist Liam Guthrie, evolved quickly into a powerhouse combination of some of Tasmania's premiere contemporary musicians.

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.

Play it Martha

Play It Martha is the original music project of Patrick Evans and Cora Browne. Their debut album Flying Dream is launching in early 2024. If you love soaring voice, lush harmony and skilful musicianship, a session with Play It Martha should set you right up!

Suzette Herft

Soulful, sublime and shining! Three words sum up this Melbourne based, exotic singer-songwriter from Sri Lanka.

Suzette Herft is a contemporary troubadour and award winning songwriter with a sublime voice. She shines with a natural grace and presence that lights up any stage. Her live performances captivate the audience and she has been described as  'charismatic... with her heart in tune with her world' (The Australian Songwriter - Australian Songwriters' Association).

Suzette has won wide acclaim for her brilliant tribute show to her hero - Joan Baez for being the ‘voice for the voiceless’ at numerous festivals around Australia, including standing ovations at recent Port Fairy Folk Festivals.  With her band, she has recently breathed life into the songs and the story of Emmylou Harris - another performer she admires.

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.

Phil will be joined by Colin Smiley, Sean Roche and  Shaymie Roche in a themed concert this year .

Scott Haigh

Scott was born and raised in George Town .

A singer Songwriter , performing his own music and favourites . Scott works as a professional musician and has been working on the Spirit of Tasmania this year.   We look forward to welcoming him back in 2024.

Randal Morrsison

Poet and Author, Randal Morrison lives and works on Tasmania's West Coast.  In 2024, Randal will be our Festival Poet and also interviewed in the Writers Circle by Tony Newport. An interview not to be missed.

Joy Coates & Michael Kay

Joy Has been a regular performer at Tamar.  This year Joy will run a Children's singing  workshop.

Joy will perform with Michael Kay at a concert on Saturday.

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. 

Shimmania Dance

Shimmania World Dancers are a community dance troupe which has been performing for 18 years. We have performed for events such as the Bridport Scallop Fiesta, the Scottsdale Show and Harmony Day concerts.

We perform to traditional middle eastern, Bachata, Bollywood and modern music. Dances are based on bellydance or Bollywood and choreographed. We can perform from 15 minutes to an hour and like to finish by inviting the audience members to join us for some circle dances.

We can colour co-ordinate to a number of themes.

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

Tony will present a themed concert in 2024

The West Coast Songbook

“ I arrived in Rosebery as the headmaster’s eight year old son. I never belonged to the place in the way that Tony did but I know enough to understand that when he sings “there’s grit and grace in the West Coast creed”, the words are coming from a lode deep within him.” Martin Flanagan in the intro to Tony Newport’s West Coast Songbook. Tony will perform a concert of stories that preface songs played on The Bradshaw Harp – an instrument made of fiddle back blackwood, king billy and huon pine with a resonance that embodies the sound and soul of its spiritual home.

David Brannigan & Alison Petersfield

Known throughout the land, David is a fine performer and has a love of Australian ballads.  David and Alison will be on the Verandah of the Pier on Saturday and Sunday for a Singing Session at 1pm. All welcome.  

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.

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.

Michael Manhire

KERNOW CORNWALL The Forgotten Celtic Kingdom

Tales Tunes and Songs from Cornwall where my father's family came from and where the original Launceston and Tamar River are found.

We may also visit our cousins in Brittany.

Performers will be Michael Manhire, Hetty Binns and Sue Barker.

Debbie Searle

Debbie will present her play reading at the Writers Circle.

Debbie is a keen bushwalker, naturalist, playwright, poet and bellydancer who lives at Jetsonville and regularly volunteers with her husband Craig for Parks and Wildlife at remote locations such as Deal Island and Melaleuca.

She is loving retirement but previously worked as a High School Science Teacher and as an Environmental Scientist assessing river health across Northern Tasmania

The Bell Buoy Teabags was largely written during a 6 month stint as volunteer caretakers at windswept Maatsuyker Island. ie Searle

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.

Rose Haden's Under the Radar

"Rosie possesses an incredible voice and, together with Greg's rhythmic grooves and Linda's empathic harmonies, her songs are executed with an edginess that really sets them apart." (Dom McAlinden - Mountain Mojo, Mt Roland Folk Festival)

"Beautifully crafted songs delivered with integrity, finesse and power." (Matt Fell, award-winning producer - Fanny Lumsden, Sara Storer)and Greg moved to Tasmania in the covid spring of 2020. Their pathos driven, dark bluesy folk and intense rhythmic grooves accompany melodies inspired by TV noir, poets of old and observations on modern life. Linda Pittard joined the duo in April 2022 adding her unique talents on vocals, percussion and ukelele - thus Under the Radar was born.

The Poet & The One Man Band