Woodford unveils first 160 artists, pushes for fewer cars, strikes ABC deal
John Butler, Kate Miller-Heidke, Jeff Lang, The Beautiful Girls, Mama Kin Spender, Husky, Montaigne, Holy Holy, Timberwolf Vaudeville Smash, Sampa The Great, Dubmarine, POW! Negro, Lior, Caravãna Sun, Paul Grabowsky, Lloyd Spiegel and Tinpan Orange are just some of the Australian names announced in the first round of music acts for the 32nd Woodford Folk Festival.
Others include Yirrmal and the Miliyawutj, Baker Boy, Liz Stringer, Afro Dizzi Act, Bearfoot, Blues Arcadia, Cheap Fakes, Golden Sound, Kooii, Robbie Miller, The Babe Rainbow and The New Buzz waiting to be further discovered by the tens of thousands who attend looking for new sounds.
International visitors include Canada’s The East Pointers, Digging Roots and Alysha Brilla; Ireland’s Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill, Breaking Trad and Eleanor McEvoy; USA acts Molsky’s Mountain Drifters and The Railsplitters; Sweden/Iceland’s My Bubba, and Japan’s Kenta Hayashi.
“While Woodford has always featured recognisable names, these artists are more than outnumbered by terrifically talented artists either on the rise or making their first appearances in Australia,” says Head of Programming Chloe Goodyear.
Altogether 300 acts will perform, with a record number playing the festival for the first time. The 35 venues range from the 25,000-capacity amphitheatre to small clubs.
Woodford Folk is held at its 500-acre Woodfordia site in Queensland between December 27 and January 1.
The 2016/7 edition drew 132,000 over six days, a 5% jump from the previous edition.
This has caused an issue with organisers who said that growing numbers put a serious stress on its infrastructure and environmental sustainability.
It’s led to a cap on patrons through the gate, the introduction of car restrictions and parking fees.
This year it’s promoting its One Less Car and Cycle To Woodford campaigns, urging attendees to take the train/bus option.
A deal with the ABC will see presenters from radio shows and podcasts take to the stage “to impart knowledge, wisdom and amusing insights into the human experience.”
Some of the events will be broadcast on the national broadcaster.
Woodford Speakers Programme Producer Mandi McIntyre says both organisations are similarly aligned in their respective missions.
“It’s a natural fit for Woodford and ABC to work together on this kind of future-forward programming,” she said.
“The Woodford Folk Festival has always pushed beyond where we think popular culture sits, and the ABC is leading the way in Australia with digital radio and podcasting.
“We’ve been watching the evolution in digital radio, and very pleased to be a part of it.”
Photo by Leanne McKnoulty