Missy Higgins

Port Fairy Folk Festival is a portal into the future of folk music

If you want to keep a finger on the pulse of the future of folk music, look no further than Port Fairy Folk Festival.

As it approaches its 49th year as a culturally significant event in the south-west of Victoria, Port Fairy Folk Festival continues its forecasting of the next big thing in the fabrics of the folk genre. 

Spearheading the direction of the festival program and the dynamic scope of artistry is Port Fairy Folk Festival Program Director, Justin Rudge. A music explorer, enthusiast, and champion, Rudge continually puts his best foot forward when it comes to bringing Australian audiences the most eclectic, boundary-pushing, and masterful makers of folk music.

Port Fairy Folk Festival

WHEN: 6 – 9 MARCH 2026

WHERE: PORT FAIRY TOWNSHIP

Keep connected to your live music scene here.

 

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Setting himself up as a global responder, Rudge has been able to tap into the raw, underground roots of the European, UK, USA and local scene, uncovering talented tastemakers and bringing them to a dedicated market in Australia.

“I spend six months in Madrid / the northern hemisphere. Certainly the advantage of being over here during the European summer is the breadth and width of festivals that I get to go to. I can fly to London like it’s Sydney to attend a festival. But the real advantage for the Folk Festival is just being ahead of the curve more on the emerging end of artist things,” explains Rudge.

“Historically I’ve managed to find and secure some really great acts that have made their first trip to Australia that have kind of become a thing. I certainly remember booking Gangar, a Norwegian folk metal band – I always said I wouldn’t book metal and then I booked this crazy metal band from Norway – that was quite a lovely side of the circle. I guess the European summer means that I have the opportunity to see the more boutique but hugely significant acts.”

 

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The festival has thrived from his cross-continental presence, securing both emerging to-be-stars alongside major folk players. Years past has seen the onboarding of once-in-a-generational talents like Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Cat Power, Bonny Light Horseman, and Graeme Nash who all carry the folk flame, forming the foundations of the genre. 

“I saw Graeme Nash from Crosby, Stills and Nash at a festival, August ‘23 and booked it for the following year and was probably the only Australian that had seen that show at that time. Then he came out and had an amazingly successful tour and one of those shows that people say is the best of the Folkie ever. It allows me to work a little bit out of the box and ensure that the Port Fairy Folk Festival is a little different to every other festival in the country. That’s something I work really hard on.”

This method of discovery along with an ear to the ground approach has allowed Rudge to curate unconventional lineups with a uniquely mixed bag of performers. But he’s only afforded that freedom because of the willing crowds within the Port Fairy Folk Festival community. 

 

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“Along the lines of me being able to book really interesting esoteric new fresh music is that of all of the folk festivals I go to around the world, which is a lot, the audience in Port Fairy is genuinely and truly unique in how up for it they are for experiencing and listening and learning about something new. I’m constantly surprised at how well quite esoteric acts that no one has ever heard of go. I book the act and the audience goes and they listen to the songs. There’s acts that nobody else in Australia has ever heard of who have a fanbase of 1000 people in Port Fairy before they even arrive on the door step,” he explains. 

It’s both a matter of Rudge moulding the listener but also leaning into the existing openness that has been cultivated from day dot of the festival.

“We’re heading towards our 49th festival so it’s something I’m very honoured to inherit, obviously through my role at the festival that I’ve been in since 2020 now. I guess what I continually try to do is push the boundaries and see how weird and wonderful music can be before the audience will go, “you know Justin, you’ve gone too far here”. I think the folk festival has a lot of key strengths but the audience is one the biggest strengths we have.”

The lineup for the impending 2026 festivities is a consideration of all of these aspects as Rudge thrives in the hunt for bringing the best and most consciously curated program to the Port Fairy Folk Festival regulars. Led by Iron & Wine, Kasey Chambers, and a returning Mary Coughlan, this year Rudge has earmarked a couple of standout acts to check out.

“I’m really excited about a few things this year – Robbie Cavanagh is one that I’m really excited to see how he goes. I’ve been following him for a few years now. Robbie very much comes from a soul roots background ala the Teskey Brothers. He is still a relatively young performer based in Manchester but I just reckon he has something and I reckon he is going to be a star,” he notes.

“Another act that I’m really curious to see how they go as much as I think it will be a superstar hit is Rainbow Girls from America who were one of those artists that built a huge following online during the period where we weren’t able to leave the house. It’s their first time to Australia.”

 

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In addition he recommends checking out the The Future Folk Program, a launchpad for the ones-to-watch on a local level. A personal mission for Rudge to see is Jeffrey Martin. The booking process for Martin was unconventional for Rudge, who is yet to see the artist in action though not without having tried.

Rudge explains, “I was at a festival in Denmark last summer 2024 and it was the final night of the festival. I was there with my wife and thirteen year old daughter. I went to see something and they went to see something and we were going to meet back at the Jeffrey Martin show. I was at the other side of the festival site and as I was walking across a huge storm rolled over.” Rudge sought shelter in a portaloo, remaining huddled in the facility for 45 minutes, ultimately missing the show.

“They both reported that it was the best show of the festival that I didn’t see. So yeah, I really want to see his show because I haven’t yet, because I was sitting in a portaloo in the middle of Denmark,” he laughs.

Rudge also predicts that the magic of this years’ festival will come in the form of collaboration, from artists jumping up with each other on stage together.

“My gut says that Folk Festival’s are always a collaborative event. Looking at the list of artists now, I expect it will be a huge collaborative event. There will be a lot of magic on stage.”

Tickets are available to attend Port Fairy Folk Festival 2026. It’s one you won’t want to miss.

Head here to secure your ticket.