For over three decades, Chris While and Julie Matthews have been a powerhouse in the British folk and roots scene — performing more than 3,000 shows, appearing on over 100 albums, and writing hundreds of unforgettable songs. Their seamless harmonies, heartfelt songwriting, and undeniable chemistry on stage have earned them BBC Folk Award wins, devoted fans around the world, and a lasting place at the heart of contemporary folk music. Australian audiences hold a special place in their story. From their award-winning appearance at the Port Fairy Folk Festival (Artists of the Year, 2018) to countless tours that have built a loyal following down under, Chris and Julie’s bond with Australia runs deep. Now celebrating 30 years together with their latest album Days Like These, they return sounding as vibrant and inspired as ever. Don’t miss this rare chance to experience two of the most respected voices in modern folk music — live, in full harmony.

Join us for a warm, intimate afternoon of song and story as Jenny Mitchell, New Zealand-born and Melbourne-based, takes the mic on our Storytellers stage. Jenny has built a reputation for heartfelt songwriting that blends folk, Americana and country roots with rich emotion. From her early beginnings in Gore — New Zealand’s country music heartland — singing alongside her dad and sisters, Jenny’s journey has led to four acclaimed albums. Her latest, Forest House, recorded in a remote rural home-studio and produced with award-winning producer Matt Fell, explores what happens within the walls we call home: the good, the pivot, the quiet, the storm. Expect songs of grit and grace, melodies that stay with you, and a storyteller voice that commands attention without losing touch. Whether you’re already a longtime fan or discovering her for the first time, this is one show you won’t want to miss.

Broken Creek are the award-winning duo of Erin (fiddle, vocals) and Lachlan Haycox (guitar, banjo, vocals) who together weave Australian folk traditions with contemporary storytelling, blending fiddle, guitar and banjo into something both timeless and fresh. Drawing inspiration from old field recordings and the rural landscapes they call home, their music carries the warmth of campfire sessions and the spirit of old dance halls. With rich harmonies, engaging tales and a deep love for the songs and tunes of the past, Broken Creek offer an intimate and captivating live experience that celebrates Australia’s folk heritage in all its earthy beauty.

Ruth Hazleton has been a vibrant presence in the Australian folk and roots music scene for over two decades. From her early days performing with Canberra’s Closet Klezmer to forming a celebrated duo with Kate Burke, Ruth has consistently captivated audiences with her haunting vocals, masterful guitar and banjo work, and deep connection to traditional and contemporary storytelling. throughout the 2000s, Ruth toured extensively, performing widely and collaborating with numerous folk ensembles, showcasing her versatility and deep understanding of Americana, old-time, and world music traditions. Launching her solo career in 2019, Ruth’s artistry received widespread recognition, earning critical acclaim. Since then, she has continued to evolve, blending traditional folk storytelling with inventive arrangements in her recent projects, exploring themes of distance, perspective, and personal transformation. After a celebrated partnership with Kate Burke and a solo debut with Daisywheel, Ruth’s latest album, Heronbones, blends traditional folk with inventive arrangements, creating a rich, atmospheric soundscape that’s uniquely hers. A performer, folklorist, and storyteller, Ruth brings history and emotion to every song she shares.

Van Walker has long been one of Tasmania’s most quietly influential exports — a songwriter who moves easily between folk, country and rock, and who has become something of a cult favourite in his adopted city of Melbourne. Known for his sharp, story-rich writing, he’s built a deep catalogue that ranges from intimate reflections to broader social observations. His early solo years are captured across releases such as Underneath the Radar 2008–2012 (Fuse Music), while his work with Swedish Magazines — including the Rolling Stone–praised I Wish Life Could Be… — and the acclaimed outfit The Livingstone Daisies (PBS Album of the Year 2013; 4.5 Stars in The Age in 2014) cemented his reputation further. He was also a key contributor to the celebrated stage project Vandemonian Lags, performing alongside the likes of Mick Thomas, Tim Rogers and Brian Nankervis. His most recent solo release, Healing Descent, was recorded in Canada with multi-instrumentalist and producer Chris Altmann — the same creative partner behind The Celestial Railroad (2008) and Bush League Bard (2010). The record has already drawn glowing praise from peers

Dave Steel is a singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer with an extensive history in the roots music scene in Australia. He was a founding member of Weddings Parties Anything and contributed songs and instrumental skills to their first two albums. He has made nine solo albums, received several ARIA nominations and has worked as a sideman and session musician with many of Australia’s finest performers, including Archie Roach, for whom he worked for seven years as an instrumentalist, and Rose Bygrave and Marcia Howard, amongst many others.Dave has extensive studio experience as an artist, a session instrumentalist, and as a producer/engineer. He has toured extensively in Australia, North America, Europe and Asia. For the past twenty years he has been instrumentalist and co-producer for Tiffany Eckhardt, and continues to work as a solo act, on the festival circuit and in the folk /roots scene, as well as recording and mixing in his home studio for various artists. Dave has recently completed a rewarding four year stint as a tutor in the songwriting stream of the degree course at UTAS, and he has relocated to Victoria, where he is performing with The Kitchen Table Tour (Bill Jackson, Frank Jones, Dave Steel) and with Heart Songs (Rose Bygrave, Wayne Jury, Dave Steel) as well as solo shows and some studio work. Dave’s new album is called Wooden Music. It was made in the Huon Valley in Lutruwita (Tasmania) with Ross Smithard playing fiddle and Louis Gill playing double bass. Live in the studio with minimal overdubs, Wooden Music is a raw collection of new material from a veteran of the Australian music scene.

Australia has long celebrated Fred Smith on the festival circuit, but now audiences across the country are finally catching up with this extraordinary singer-songwriter. Praised by the Sydney Morning Herald as “a remarkable artist… keeping company with Paul Kelly, Lou Reed, Loudon Wainwright III and Leonard Cohen,” Fred has spent decades winning hearts with his gentle wit, masterful storytelling, and unforgettable melodies. Beloved for his collaborations with Liz Frencham and The Spooky Men’s Chorale, Fred has released ten acclaimed studio albums, including Dust of Uruzgan—whose title track has even been covered by Lee Kernaghan. A multiple NFSA National Folk Recording Award winner, Fred is renowned for his festival sets where no two performances are ever the same. His extraordinary career was recently featured on ABC’s Australian Story, highlighting his work in Afghanistan and the South Pacific, and Allen & Unwin have published The Dust of Uruzgan, a fascinating exploration of the stories behind his acclaimed songs. This is your chance to experience a true national treasure live—an intimate, one-of-a-kind performance from one of Australia’s most accomplished and beloved artists.