WA’s longest running music festival is back for its 27th year with a handcrafted program of over 100 acts featuring the best in folk, world, and roots music alongside dance acts, workshops, stalls and activities for all-ages.
Happening from 26-28 April in the magical setting of Fairbridge Village, Pinjarra - one-hour south of the Perth CBD, expect three days of unique entertainment with music spilling from marquees and historical buildings, colourful markets including dozens of amazing food and drink stalls, and idyllic car-free camping grounds.
Fairbridge Festival’s Artistic Director, Rod Vervest says the Festival is accessible to everyone with the triumphant return of some festival favourites and new acts that you'll hear for the first time.
“This year’s program is bursting at the seams with some of the very finest of American new acoustic masters like Kittel & Co.; some of the UK’s busiest live bands including Mànran (Scotland), Jigjam (Ireland) and Edgelarks (England); and a delightful Italian focus starring international world music superstars, Riccardo Tesi & Banditaliana, and SONU and I Viaggiatori featuring Kavisha Mazzella – both Austro-Italian folk bands with poignant migrant stories,” he says.
“Coupled with comedy, children's events and a creative splash of new site decorations, Fairbridge Festival 2019 will be another unmissable event featuring acts you’ll fall in love with”.
Other musical highlights include the return of high-energy bluegrass band Flats and Sharps (UK) – a resounding crowd favourite at Fairbridge Festival in 2017; the incomparable Rory McLeod (UK) - a one-man soul band, poet and story-teller; and the most renowned shanty group in the world, Kimber's Men (UK).
The Little Stevies (VIC) sisters are bringing two shows - their own set of endearing songs and a kids show called Teeny Tiny Stevies, which has been regularly aired on ABC KIDS; award-winning Aussie folk sisters The Maes (VIC); audience favourite Mick Thomas and the Roving Commission (VIC) who makes his welcome return to Fairbridge; as well as the hugely popular dance act Hot Potato Band (NSW) – an energetic 10-piece brass band who close shows at Woodford – Australia's biggest folk music festival.
In addition to the music, Fairbridge Festival has an incredible dance program curated by dance artist and creative producer, Annette Carmichael, to ensure you’re entertained all weekend long. Highlights include the return of Jesse Teichelman with his upbeat hip hop workshop and Taonga Maori – a workshop of traditional Haka performance and learning.
The full program is now online. See you under the trees and stars at Fairbridge Festival 2019!
TICKETS
On sale now through Moshtix
· Three-day festival with family camping from $485 for two adults, two children
· Three-day festival without camping from $160 for adults
· Single day tickets from $93 for adults and $56 for evening tickets
ABOUT FAIRBRIDGE FESTIVAL
Fairbridge Festival is Western Australia’s most popular family camping festival. This friendly celebration of folk, roots, blues, acoustic, Celtic, a capella and world music takes place annually in April, in the traffic-free, self-contained bushland site of Fairbridge Village on the South West Highway, 5km north of Pinjarra and 100km south of Perth’s outlying south-eastern suburbs.
Fairbridge Village makes a wonderful festival site. Graceful, mature bushland and sweeping views over the Darling Escarpment provide a picturesque and peaceful background to the festival.
Presented by the not-for-profit organisation, FolkWorld Inc., the festival is a major event on the WA cultural calendar with a devoted audience base, a strong pool of volunteers, a strong organising committee, and a dedicated and committed Board. Its reputation has spread to the point where each year it receives well over 500 applications from acts, Australia-wide, wanting to play; and many internationals strive to make it a part of their touring schedule. It has stayed true to the original vision of catering to a family audience, and presents probably the largest children and youth programs, in proportion to the festival as a whole, of any such event in the country.