Castlemaine’s highly anticipated second annual Town Folk Festival returns Saturday February 11.
Bringing together 16 of the best contemporary artists from around Victoria and beyond to Castlemaine, Town Folk Festival celebrates diverse, compelling and exciting music under the ever-widening umbrella of folk.
The one-day festival will take place on Dja Dja Wurrung Country across four stages in three venues, The Bridge Hotel, Shedshaker Brewing and Boomtown Winery, all a short walking distance from each other and packed with an afternoon-into-evening of musical greatness, food, drinks and company.
Town Folk Festival founder, Bridge Hotel owner and Applejack Music promoter Jeremy Furze said Town Folk Festival began as an idea to get some of his favourite contemporary folk bands and musicians together in one place and celebrate music of a slower, softer persuasion.
“This kind of music is often overlooked by mainstream media and events but there’s a wonderful community around it,” Jeremy said.
“The 2023 Town Folk is shaping up to be a superb day for music lovers of Castlemaine. The sun will be out and the line-up is looking hot!” he said.
Those to feature will include local acts such as Big Scary, Felicity Cripps Band and The Maes.
Castlemaine’s Jo Syme from Big Scary looks forward to being part of Saturday’s event.
“I went along to the first one in 2022 as a punter and I look forward to performing this time around on the outdoor stage alongside the Bridge Hotel with my Melbourne bandmate Tom Iansek,” Jo said.
The Theatre Royal’s own Felicity Cripps and her band will also feature. Cripps’ unique song-writing style evokes dream-scapes and celestial imagery, yet isn’t afraid to get gritty and dark. Duelling guitars, bass and drums support colourful vocal melodies andclose-knit harmonies. The result is uplifting and joyous, especially when witnessed live.
The Maes (sisters Maggie and Elsie Rigby) grew up the children of folk musicians, immersed in folk festivals, choir rehearsals and campfire sessions and look forward to playing this newly created local festival.
The sisters have been touring the world since 2014, playing some of the world’s most prestigious roots music festivals, including the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in the USA, Edmonton Folk Festival in Canada and the Woodford Folk Festival and WOMADelaide in Australia. Don’t miss the chance to see them right here!
In addition to our local artists visiting artists will include Phoebe Go, Folk Bitch Trio, Jade Imagine, Maple Glider, The Rechords and Workhorse just to name a few. Tickets are selling fast so grab yours today!
For the full line-up and tickets visit www.townfolkfestival.com
