Billy Bragg, The Waifs and gin: 15+ things not to miss at the National Folk Festival 2023

Posted on 29 March, 2023

The year seems to be flying by. But as the days get shorter the list of things happening in Canberra continues to get longer—and one we’re especially excited for is the return of the National Folk Festival this Easter.

Over five days from 6–10 April, over 15,000 visitors people from Canberra and across the globe will revel and rejoice in the wonder that is folk music and culture at Exhibition Park in Canberra as the beloved ‘Folkie’ returns once more.

Whether you choose to head on out to EPIC and camp over the long weekend or catch the light rail out each day (which is free for ticket holders!) there will be festivities for the whole family and so much to look forward to.

From long-time festival lovers to little dreamers, the team at the Folkie have made sure there is something for everyone this Easter long weekend.

MUSIC

With over 145 artists and seven stages across five days there is always someone (or many someones!) to captivate you on-stage; and while it is nearly impossible to single out who to make sure you see, here are five artists to get the inspiration flowing.

Billy Bragg

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Billy Bragg (@billybraggofficial)

Headlining the 2023 Folkie is Billy Bragg—and he’s up there for a reason. This English singer-songwriter has been on the folk scene since the ‘70s and has no intention of stopping yet. Billy creates music with a message, often taking inspiration from protests when creating his songs full of folk, punk rock and messages for change.

Saturday 8 April 8pm-9:10pm and Sunday 1pm-2:10pm at Bundawang Stage.

The Waifs

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Waifs (@thewaifsband)

From bustling cities to the farthest regional and coastal towns, The Waifs have spent the past 30 years reuniting with old friends and gathering new fans, thanks to their enchanting live shows and affable nature as they share their folk-infused, feel-good sounds.

Friday 7 April 7:30pm – 8:50pm and Saturday 8 April 2:30pm at Budawang stage.

Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gina Williams (@ginawilliamsguyghouse)

Using music to highlight a beautiful and ancient language, the Noongar language of the southern corner of Western Australia, Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse act as conduits of a fractured past and agitators for a hopeful future.

Friday 7 April 3pm-4pm at Budawang stage, Saturday 8 April 12:20pm-1:10pm at Flute & Fiddle stage and  Sunday 9 April 9:30pm-10:30pm Marquee Stage.

The Weeping Willows

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by TheWeepingWillows (@theweepingwillows)

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, and murder and decay. Hold onto your hats, Canberra.

Friday 7 April 1:30pm- 2:20pm at Scrumpy stage, Saturday 8 April 10am-10:50am at Marquee Stage, Sunday 9 April 3:50pm-4:30pm at Flute and Fiddle Stage and Monday 10 April 11am-11:20am at Budawang Stage.

Austral

A rising band not to be missed. Austral is a four-piece Australian tunes band combining didgeridoo, Irish pipes, high-energy fiddling, journeying songs, and energetic foot percussion. 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.

Thursday 6 April 7:30pm-9:40 pm at Budawang stage and Friday 7 April 1:10pm-2pm at Marquee Stage.

FOR THE KIDS

With the Kids Festival and Carnival Stage, there is always something going on to keep little ones engaged and help them fall in love with Folk as we did.

• Learn something new at the Ngunnawal Language Children Sessions.
• Create a goodie perfectly matched to the Easter weekend with an Egg Shaker masterclass.
• Join the Funky Fairy for a class in percussion and singing.
• Be entertained by the hilarious ‘Gobsmacked! Dragons, Monsters & Missing Bedsocks’.
• Tag along to Woody’s Bush Cabaret with Hercules the Alley Cat.

WORKSHOPS

It’s not just the young’uns who get to learn something new over the long weekend. Make sure you set aside some time from listening to the music to learn how to create it yourself.

The Canberra Shanty Club will have you up and bustling as you attend their Shanty Workshop and delve into a world of sea shanties, chorus songs, and all manner of malarkey.

Perhaps singing isn’t quite your tune — have no fear! The Rhythm Hunters will teach you how your own two hands and body can become an instrument with their Body Percussion workshop.

The infectious and uplifting Samba music of Brazil is destined to rouse you from your seat and Raio De Sol is here to share the secrets. This one is perfect for beginners.

Apodimi Compania is bringing a slice of Greece to Canberra with their Greek Music workshop. Dating back to the Byzantine you can’t go wrong tagging along to this one or join James Mackintosh as he takes you through the basics of drumming for Celtic Music.

Check out the 2023 Line-up to make sure you don’t miss a moment of the magic.

THIRST-QUENCHERS

The Folkie sure knows how to create a good time and the team this year have paired up with Antipodes Gin, Bentspoke Brewery and Lerida Wines.

From Antipodes, get excited for a carbon-neutral gin that is easy to mix and infused with native Aussie botanicals including Kakadu Plum, Lemon Myrtle, Strawberry Gum, aniseed myrtle and Tasmanian pepperberry. Yum.

Bentspoke’s famous Braddon brews will be on tap as the team celebrate becoming an official partner of the folkie and Lerida Wines from Lake George will be ready and waiting for you as the official wine partners for 2023.

No matter if you attend for one day or five there is something happening at every stage of the National Folk Festival, and we couldn’t imagine a better way to soak in the extra-long Easter weekend.