In the lead up to the return of the Port Fairy Folk Festival in March 2022, the major music event today announced acclaimed Mutti Mutti man, singer and songwriter Kutcha Edwards as its Artist of the Year, the festival’s greatest honour in partnership with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and Maton Guitars.
Kutcha Edwards said he was honoured to be the Port Fairy Folk Festival Artist of the Year.
‘I have had the privilege to perform at Port Fairy Folk Festival over the years and have met many incredible artists and performers who have become great friends within this beautiful landscape of music.
‘Music has become somewhat one of my closest friends, apart from my loved ones. It comforts me in my darkest moments and protects me when needed; it creates great joy and brings people together.
‘I have a lot of family on Country down in South West Victoria and treasure my time visiting as much as I can. We have all missed sharing and performing our music together. This year is going to be extra special and I can’t wait to perform my new album Circling Time for all at this year’s Port Fairy Folk Festival,’ said Kutcha.
The Port Fairy Folk Festival also announced lo-fi folk-soul star Kee’ahn as its Emerging Artist of the Year, supported by Just Guitars.
In accepting the award, Kee’ahn said: “I have been excitedly waiting to experience the magic of Port Fairy Folk festival and am so thrilled to be able do so this year. To perform next month at the Festival on Gunditjmara country, and to be honoured with the 2022 Emerging Artist of the Year is so incredibly wonderful.
‘I am very grateful and privileged for the support and recognition. Koeyma esso, thank you so much to everyone involved. I feel so blessed.’
Celebrating its 45th anniversary across the March long weekend in 2022, the Port Fairy Folk Festival sees the township of Port Fairy come alive with music, arts and culture. Kutcha Edwards and Kee’ahn will both perform at the Festival on the March long weekend, bringing audiences closer to their musical storytelling and folk-style.
The Artist of the Year is proudly supported by TAC – the Festival’s road safety partner and Maton Guitars. TAC will be encouraging festival-goers to pull over and recharge on their journey to and from the event to help curb driver fatigue. The Emerging Artist of the Year is proudly supported by Just Guitars.
The Port Fairy Folk Festival will celebrate its 45th event this March long weekend with beloved national music icon and Maar Nation elder, Uncle Archie Roach AM announcing recently the inaugural Archie Roach Foundation Stage.
Taking place on Peek Whurrong country in southwest Victoria, this special partnership between the Archie Roach Foundation and the Port Fairy Folk Festival welcomes all to share local Maar Nation culture through traditional dance, art and song writing workshops, conversations, and a yarning circle.
The Archie Roach Foundation Stage will also shine a massive spotlight on both emerging and established First Nations artists from across Australia.
Among the artists performing on the Archie Roach Foundation Stage alongside Port Fairy Folk Festival’s huge line-up are Kutcha Edwards, Emma Donovan, Shellie Morris, The Merindas, Amos Roach, Kee’ahn, Lee Morgan, Nola Lauch, MRLN X RK, the Singing Our Futures collective, NT rapper J-MILLA and remote West Arnhem Land up-and-comers, Black Rock Band plus an on stage ‘Kitchen Table Yarn’ with Archie and some very special guests.
Launching the stage at the Port Fairy Folk Festival site, Uncle Archie said that it is very important and culturally significant that the Maar Nation community in southwest Victoria can share culture which has existed for well over sixty thousand years with Port Fairy Folk Festival audiences.
‘For me personally, it’s huge! I was taken away as a child from my mother’s country when I was just two years old. To return to my community and be able to present our culture on the Archie Roach Foundation Stage would not have happened if I had not found my way back to my people.
‘The local Maar Nation community have programmed the stage and we can’t wait to present this exceptional moment. I am very grateful to both RISE and Port Fairy Folk Festival for getting behind this initiative,’ said Uncle Archie.
Port Fairy Folk Festival Program Director Justin Rudge said he was looking forward to presenting this incredible program with the local community and seeing the Port Fairy Folk Festival return to the seaside village.
‘I’m so proud for my first festival as program director to partner with the Archie Roach Foundation on this project to deliver a record amount of First Nations content to our festival. I have loved meeting and working with the local community to provide our audience with the wonderful music, art and stories to our March 2022 event,’ said Justin.
The Port Fairy Folk Festival will take place from 11-14 March 2022. For tickets, to view the full line-up and for further information visit www.portfairyfolkfestival.com
Port Fairy is just under 4 hours from Melbourne, 30 minutes from Warrnambool and is located on the great South West Coast of Victoria, along the mighty Southern Ocean.
In one month, the annual Port Fairy Folk Festival will take over the charming seaside village, in the country’s largest celebration of folk music by the sea.
With a family-friendly atmosphere and plenty of local activities, eateries, and adventures to see and do, Port Fairy is a destination for everyone – especially over the March long weekend when the village comes alive to the sounds of the Port Fairy Folk Festival.
Limited tickets remain. Children aged 12 years and under can attend for free under the supervision of a parent or guardian.