The twentieth Blue Mountains Music Festival of Folk, Roots and Blues will present an amazing spectrum of styles and talents in 2015; from one of the original sixties folk boom legends, Buffy Sainte-Marie, to some of the brightest new players in the business. Sainte-Marie, the ageless veteran in her sixth decade will perform beside acts like the Bearded Gypsy Band, The Perch Creek Family Jug Band and Daniel Champagne, all of whom launched themselves into the music scene in the twenty-first century.
Headlining the festival with Buffy Sainte-Marie is Australia’s most successful independent artist John Butler who will perform in an intimate solo setting, reminiscent of the earthy, bluesy, guitar-centred gigs of his early years.
It will be a bumper year for songwriters, with our headliners being joined by much loved Californian Steve Poltz, Dan Sultan in solo mode, the award winning David Bridie, Frank Yamma, Leah Flanagan, festival favourites While & Matthews from the UK, Dewayne Everettsmith, The Jordie Lane Duo, Gina Williams who writes and sings in the Noongar language accompanied by respected guitarist Guy Ghouse, and also the incredibly literate John Baker with The Baker Suite from Adelaide.
Among the internationals hitting the stage will be the Danish sensations Himmerland and the duo Fromseier Hockings. The Whitetop Mountaineers return from the US, and Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas return from Scotland and the US respectively. The Heartstring Quartet is made up of four of the UK’s most accomplished instrumentalists, Arty McGlynn on guitar, Nollaig Casey on Fiddle, Máire Ní Chathasaigh on harp and Chris Newman on acoustic guitar.
Gordie MacKeeman and his Rhythm Boys will be rolling over from Canada, and Dublin born Edwina Hayes is coming from her new home town Nashville. Legendary blues harp man Phil Wiggins comes from the US to join Dominic Turner to reprise their recent American tour.
Deep in the deserts of Rajasthan, Australian artists Jeff Lang and Bobby Singh met Asin Langa and Bhungar Manganiyar. Spanning continents and genres, a remarkable collaboration began, and they’ve called it Maru Tarang. We are happy to say that they are joining us as well.
Also on the bill we have bluegrass from The Company, blues from The Mighty Reapers, Nick Charles, Fiona Boyes and Tom Dockray. Watch the high energy antics of Wagons, The Perch Creek Family Jug Band, The Bearded Gypsy Band and All our Exes Live in Texas.
Look out for We Two Thieves, Alanna & Alicia, new Sydney sensations Castlecomer, the guitar pyrotechnics of Daniel Champagne, world music from Yeshe & Calvin Welch and the hypnotic Arabesk. There may be a few more surprises to come as we head to the end of this year. As well as all this music, there will be the Heartlands Conversations, the Poets’ Breakfasts, children’s entertainment and activities , and of course many many food and craft stalls.
For full details of all artists, how to buy tickets and everything else to do with the festival head to bmff.org.au.