Performers
Please return in 2012 to view info on the next Tablelands Folk Festival. Below are details of the 2011 event.
Checkout our fantastic 2011 Festival Artists.
Alanna & Alicia
Twin sisters who blend folk, jazz and roots in their original acoustic songs, Bendigo’s Alanna & Alicia produce sweet sibling harmonies and lyrics that sparkle with personality, charm and wit. They have already won awards at several national festivals. Myspace
Andrew Winton
Award-winning player from WA who specialises in a range of lap-slide guitars. Andrew Winton’s musical skill and on-stage warmth and humour guarantee an engaging performance. Website
Ashleigh Mannix
With a carefree nature and a combination of folk and popular genres, singer-songwriter Ashleigh Mannix creates an appealing blend of music that is attracting both local and global attention. Website
Astrid Elika
Mesmerising audiences with her sweet melodies, deep meditative lyrics and soothingly angelic voice
Astrid Elika’s diverse musical history, mingled with the traditional sound of the harp and her quirky song writing style, provides audiences with a truly unique performance.
Beat Lehmann
Focusing on the rich musical heritage of cultures around the globe, delving into the incredible variety and depth of a cappella world music and the cultures it represents, one of Australia’s leading choir conductors, Beat Lehmann will provide you with an enriching and moving experience.
Belladonna
Angelic three-part harmonies and a diverse range of instruments played in folk, choral and contemporary styles interweave to create the magic that is Belladonna. Amelia, Briony and Gabriella have grown up amongst the coloured tents, intimate jam sessions and amazing musical moments of the Tablelands Folk Festival. Now they are living their dream as performers there. Come share in the magic.
Bob Elliston
Finger picking on both six and twelve string guitars, Bob varies his style to suit songs ranging from ballads to hard driving, foot tapping tunes. Drawing on more than fifty years experience in the Australian folk scene along with his self penned songs, his stories and puns are legendary ingredients of his entertaining performance.
Damien Neil
With influences of the calibre of Chet Atkins, Leo Kottke and Tommy Emmanual Damien weaves a rich tapestry of styles. Adding violin to his repertoire is the latest feat of this multi-talented musician who has also just recorded his first solo CD.
Danny Simony
Pantomime, juggling, unicycle, magic, mime and comedy all jumble together in the magical characters played by Danny Simony. See it again and again and you laugh til your belly hurts every time.
Doyle Family Fun Show
Dress up, grab an instrument and join the show. What a great invitation to have a ball! One of the most popular children’s interactive entertainment troupes in Australia, The Doyle Family Fun Show always puts a smile on the dials of everyone who sees it and especially those who participate.
Far Northern Soul Collective
They’re on a mission – a mission to funk up your life. Fusing their love of roots, reggae, soul and funk, the FNSC infuse the soul, stimulate the senses and find your inner dancer! Chunky bass, wailing guitars, awesome keyboards, thumping drums and sexy brass will move your groove.
Grimick
A folk-rocking duo of singer-songwriters that never stray far from the essential ingredients — compelling rhythm, contagious melody, and meaningful lyrics. With seemingly no upward limit to their vocal range, they are capable of power and tenderness, humour and passion. Grimick have captivated audiences at premier music venues all over the country. Website
Holycow
Bittersweet views about today’s earthly concerns see this band of multi-talented, seasoned musicians show their funky side on a variety of instruments. Sometimes rocky folk, sometimes reggae with the mandolin setting the rhythm, their songs often make a statement that makes sweet listening.
Jasmin Chapman
A sweet voice from a big heart sees Jasmin’s story telling through song touch the ears as well as the soul. Accompanied by guitar and keyboard we witness another young talent who has grown up through the ranks of Yungaburra performers to shine in her own right.
Jeremiah Johnson
“Painting invisible pictures using sound” are Jeremiah Johnson’s own words describing his musical performances. His charming, witty and insightful stage presence allow this fine, provocative and powerfully contemplative Australian singer songwriter to speak to us through his compositions.
Joon Graham
Forever enchanting, FNQ’s own veteran balladeer Joon Graham employs her rich husky voice, singing stories of days gone by as she lulls you and embraces you with swoony jazz blues.
Juju Moon
Dancing under a JuJu Moon is a magical thing. Four horns, guitar, percussion, some sassy vocals and zany humour make for an original, tropical, fun filled experience. Get a taste of the JuJu into you for a crazy dance mania.
Kamerunga
With a funky, multi-hued interpretation of colonial standards, mind blowing musical dexterity and a big stick of funk, jazz, reggae and rock, this band shifts the material from whisky-soaked shanty swagger to bush ballad to lounge jazz, sometimes all within the same song. Brandishing a brand new album, Kamerunga will take you on an exhilarating journey you’d better buckle up for.
Katie Richards
“One to watch” is how one reviewer rated Katie Richards on the Triple J unearthed website. Appearing solo and joined by the other members of the 6 piece band, the Swirling, Katie’s gorgeous voice and excellent composition will woo audiences.
Laique
Featuring songstress Kylie Southwell and guitar maestro Gerard Mapstone, Brisbane band Laique draw on influences as diverse as 1930s’ Paris jazz and Spanish flamenco. Their quirky songs of love, lust, murder and revenge have mesmerized audiences at the Brisbane Cabaret Festival and the Woodford Folk Festival. Website
LJ Hill
Narrating the stories of a well lived colourful past, the world weary voice of LJ Hill mixes indigenous roots with part-Irish heritage to evoke a connection to ancient times with a hope for the future. Slide guitar and haunting melodies make you feel like you are right there, under the gum tree or in the shadow of the high rise. Playing through your head like a moving picture, his descriptions of the characters and places are some of the best kind of conversations to be had.
Marisa Quigley
With an eclectic blend of blues/roots, country/folk, a nudge and a wink, a tickle and a poke, Marisa Quigley is potent and endearing. Her songs run the gamut, from heartfelt to haunting to hilarious. Her rich, soulful voice leaves listeners breathless. Website
Nigel Wearne
An alt.country singer-songwriter whose music has an intimate and poignant narrative. Equipped with personally handcrafted guitars, Nigel Wearne’s music melds finger-style guitar, slide dobro, country twang and honest storytelling. His influences include Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, Tom Waits, Gillian Welch and Woody Guthrie. MySpace
Noam Blat
Noam Blat’s music has been shaped by Israel, where he was born and raised, and years of travelling the world. As a result, his original songs, sung in both English and Hebrew, echo traditional sounds of India, the Middle East and Spain. He has worked with the likes of Lior, Nano Stern and Old Man River since settling in NSW. YouTube vid
Paul Chantrill
Like weaving a tapestry of different threads, colours and textures, guitar and voice are the tools that Paul utilizes to make a complete musical statement. Sometimes sparse and ethereal in texture but always melodic, his original compositions arise from influences spanning the world from Mexico to Vietnam, from gypsy to Celtic.
S Sorrensen
When S Sorrensen expresses his horror about climate change, war for oil and brush cutters, others laugh. Audiences all over this wide, coal-rich land have laughed at S’s view of the world. S regularly leaves the safety of his shack near Nimbin in northern NSW, swapping his sarong for jeans, and spreads his message at festivals, clubs and kitchen tables, leaving a trail of mirth.
Shells
Capturing audiences with their excitement then moving them with their creative depth, Shells uses a punchy back line of drums and bass guitar to infuse their folk rock, blues and roots style with enough high energy to get you going.
Snake Gully
Resurrecting some of the hilarious songs and sketches that established the ensemble and made them not only a crowd favourite in North Queensland but as far away as Finland, the Snakes are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year at Yungaburra. Accompanying the core trio will be some illustrious and infamous former band members and together they will revive the spirit that has made them one of FNQ’s most loved acts.
Steady Eddy
Nationally known comedian, who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy when he was nine months old. Humour has always been a huge part of his life — it was a coping mechanism to tackle life’s little hurdles. Since the early ‘90s, he has appeared on high-rating TV shows hosted by Ray Martin and Steve Vizard, toured with the Melbourne Comedy Festival and featured on series such as A Country Practice and State Coroner and MC’d for Midnight Oil.
Sunbird
What do you get when you combine a little wit, a little sass and gorgeous harmonies?
A contemporary vocal quartet of different genres coming together in one voice, that’s what.
The Barons of Tang
Lashing Latin and Romany music together with hard-hitting guitar riffs, double kick blast beats and massive horn arrangements, Melbourne-based national festival favourites The Barons of Tang serve up their Molotov cocktail, ‘gypsy deathcore’. The catchy tunes and punk ethos combine to mean one thing … dancing is inevitable! Website
The Derringers – Ryo as Solo
Emerging young instrumental whizz-kids who will give up anything to play a gig cut their teeth in the shadow of the legendary Jono and his Blues band. Jaw droppingly good The Derringers are hot. Catch duo member Ryo in his solo spot for a special treat.
The HillbillyGoats
Knee-slapping, toe-tapping, high tempo fiddle accompanied by bones, spoons and banjo – and the double bass! That’s what you can expect when the Goats hit town. Leaving no stone unturned by their unique fast-paced tunes, whether in concert or at the Bush dance, audiences will be left breathless jumping around to the wild mix of their special brand of “mountain grass” styles.
The McMenamins
Live chemistry and a shared musicality brought about by their sibling status drives the passion in this duo’s performance. Enhancing and complimenting each other sister Fleur’s vocals and brother Simon’s instrumentals combine to produce exquisite timing and interesting dynamics.
The Miles To Go Trio
Miles To Go’s music adds country-blues tinges to a Celtic infused mix that explores places and stories from Australia’s vast landscape. Bolstered by their appearance at the International Folk Alliance Convention in Memphis last year, the guitar/mandolin/vocals, cello and violin trio led by WA whiz David Hyams has been making waves at festivals around the country.
Tobias Moldenhauer
Putting an original footprint onto the sands of contemporary acoustic music with an intensity of performance that is captivating, Tobias draws material from a wide variety of influences. Coupling stomp box with soulful haunting vocals and melodic finger picking in open tunings on acoustic, bottleneck slide resonator and Hawaiian lap steel guitars he explores different genres with deep roots in the blues. Website