The Victorian Labour Day long weekend saw the running of the 48th annual Port Fairy Folk Festival. This eclectic festival covered an amazing range of genres from traditional folk, bluegrass, blues, Americana, Australian country, singer-writer, world music, rock, jazz, sea shanties & swing, including some fantastic emerging and established First Nations artists.
Over 80 different artists and bands performed across the weekend in both the gigantic marquees on the Festival Arena site and a range of venues in the Festival Village. Here is a snapshot of some of the acts I enjoyed over the weekend.
Friday night favourites included Canadian singer-songwriter Old Man Luedecke, bush balladeer gone electric Watty Thompson & his Total Fire Band, the Aussie-Americana of Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits blending country, blues and rock, and the indigenous songman Kutcha Edwards singing up country with heartfelt songs reflecting on his experience of being part of the Stolen Generation. Troy Cassar-Daley’s performance featured many tunes from his latest album “Between The Fires” recorded at the family home after the passing of his mother – very personal songs reflecting on life delivered through a powerful performance. Missy Higgins, named Port Fairy Artist of the Year, closed the night with a rousing performance to an enthusiastic crowd filling the Shebeen marquee.
Saturday kicked off with the traditional guitarists panel. Hosted by Nick Charles we were treated to conversations and performances from Jeff Lang, Jimi Hocking, Grassy Strings, John Smith & Katie Spencer. Next up was a great performance of songs celebrating First Nations stories and traditions from Gunditjmara / Kokatha Songman Dave Arden and band. Checkerboard Lounge blew the crowd away with Carl Pannuzzo’s powerful soul/blues voice complimented by Shannon Bourne guitar, Tim Neal hammond organ and Zoe Frater bass – what a band! Charles Jenkins won the crowd over with his quirky songs and good humour and Meghan Maike & the Cactus Flowers played a great set of tunes which reflected her journey from her upbringing in Canada via Mississippi to her new home in Melbourne.
Saturday evening began with a spellbinding performance from recent Grammy winning singer-guitarist Ruthie Foster – a fantastic mix of soul, blues and Americana. Jordie Lane, on a quick trip back from his new home in Nashville, entertained the crowd with his personal songs reflecting on the journey he has embarked on. Skerryvore thrilled the crowd with their upbeat performance combining rock with traditional Scottish instruments, then Peter Garrett & the Alter Egos hit the stage with a powerful performance combining songs from “The True North” with a few Midnight Oil classics.
Sunday began with another Port Fairy tradition – Women Out Loud. Hosted by the inimitable Sarah Carroll we enjoyed stories and songs from Bess Atwell (UK), Jenny Mitchell (NZ), Ruthie Foster (US), Namh Bury (Ire), and Kee’ahn (Aust) – what a wonderful collection of talented singer-songwriters. Hannah Aldridge, from the muddy banks of Muscle Shoals, delivered a powerful burst of Americana backed by an all Australian band featuring Riley Catherall on guitar (The Wildes) and Katie Bates on bass. Jenny Mitchell played a great set of original tunes reflecting her journey from Gore, New Zealand’s capital of country music. Cat Power, visibly affected by the searing afternoon heat and humidity, put on a brave performance of Bob Dylan’s 1966 Royal Albert Hall concert in front of an appreciative overflowing crowd in the River Stage Marquee. Jimi Hocking got the crowd going in another Port Fairy tradition in the Shebeen with his over the top sing-a-long session – everyone was doing the Time Warp! The afternoon rounded out with the high energy folk music of local favourites Gusto Gusto.
Sunday evening began with the fabulous Todd Rundgren treating us to a great set covering his long and illustrious career, backed up by a great band put together by You Am I’s Davey Lane. Mick Thomas’ Roving Commission entertained with a rousing performance of many of his classic songs, ending the set with a fantastic rendition of Steve Earle’s “Jerusalem”. Closing the night was the wonderful harmonies of Vika & Linda with a great set of soulful tunes.
The festival finished on Monday morning with the energetic bluegrass of the High Street Drifters, the Scottish-Americana of Dean Owens & the Sinners, and the truly iconic songwriting storytelling of Don Walker, featuring Shannon Bourne on guitar.
The Port Fairy Folk Festival is truly one of Australia’s great music festivals and planning is already underway to make the next one even bigger and better – mark the 6th to the 9th March 2026 on your calendar now!
Andrew Smith is the presenter of the long running all Australian music show “Krome Plated Yabby” on Sunbury Radio 99.3fm www.sunburyradio.com.au every Wednesday night 6 – 8pm. He facilitates regular live music sessions in Sunbury and can be found enjoying many live gigs around Melbourne, as well as being an avid collector of anything music related!