Five Atlantic Canadian acts will be performing at the 59th Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival. The festival is the longest continuously run outdoor music festival in North America, though this year the outdoor component of the festival depends entirely on your own preferences, as Philadelphia Folk Festival will be maintaining their streak with a special Global Digital Edition taking place August 13-16, 2020.
Five bands will be representing the East Coast at the festival: Irish Mythen (PE), Hauler (CB) via Home Routes, Jennah Barry (NS) and Don Brownrigg (NS) via the National Arts Centre, and Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy (NS). They’ll be performing alongside (albeit digitally-distanced) headlining acts like Joan Baez and Buffy Sainte-Marie.
These acts are among 56 performers that have been recently added to the 160 artist line-up thanks to the festival’s new global digital initiative and partnerships through Culture Ireland, the National Arts Centre Canada, Showcase Scotland Expo, Home Routes /Chemin Chez Nous (Canada), SORI (South Korea), and Wales Arts International.
Hauler, in particular, find themselves flabbergast at their good fortune, having recently released their debut album but without any means of touring it.
“I don’t know what to say except how thrilled we are that even during this upheaval in the music biz we were able to release this project that we worked so hard on and we still get to showcase the band internationally,” says Hauler’s Steven MacDougall. “Every day some exciting news comes in and it feels so fresh and great!”
Philadelphia Folk Festival has partnered with Mountain View Staging to create a unique platform for audiences to experience the festival: multiple stages, fully integrated chat features, campfire open mics, ZOOM campsites, crafts and merchandise tents. Viewers will be able to watch all stages and all performances from the comfort of their home, bubble, or virtually anywhere on a mobile device.
“I am thrilled to have a dedicated stage with country-specific curated programming this year. Being able to present some of the finest artists from across the world and put a digital arm around our global partners is incredibly rewarding“ says Festival and Programming Director, Lisa Schwartz. “I believe that music is what connects us and we could all use a positive reminder right now that we are all in this storm together. So, creating an event that can be enjoyed from anywhere in the world where there is internet, I hope will go a long way to bringing our community closer, especially at a time when we are forced to be apart.
“With so many musicians having to cancel long-planned tours and gigs and having their ability to earn a living completely gutted, it occurred to me that perhaps there was a way that I could help artists from other countries to increase their visibility and grow their fanbase in North America and elsewhere without having to travel. It is so important to give the artists something to focus on and get excited about until they can play gigs again. The music and culture of these countries is so rich and so vibrant, it is meant to be shared and I am certain that our audience is going to love it!”
The Philadelphia Folk Festival line-up includes: Al Lewis, Ak Dan Gwang Chil (ADG7), Kim So Ra, Blazin’ Fiddles, Breabach, Brìghde Chaimbeul, Claire Hastings, Elephant Sessions, Fara, Hannah Rarity; Ímar, Kinnaris Quintet, Kris Drever, Moishe’s Bagel with Fiona Hunter, Niteworks, Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton, RURA, Ryan Young, Siobhan Miller, Skerryvore, Talisk, Corner Boy, Daoirí Farrell, The Henry Girls, Karrie with Jimmy Smyth, Kíla; Liam Ó Maonlaí, Lisa Canny, Lisa O’Neill, Mark Redmond, Mick Flannery, Moxie, Nava, The Ocelots, Shane Hennessy, Slow Moving Clouds, SON – Susan O’Neill, Téada, We Banjo 3, Hauler, James Keelaghan, Sierra Noble with Double the Trouble and the Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers, The Small Glories, Alfa Rococo, Celeigh Cardinal, Don Brownrigg, Jennah Barry, Leela Gilday, Marie-Clo, Mariel Buckley, Mélissa Ouimet, OKAN, Sarah MacDougall & Ivan Coyote, Silla & Rise, William Prince, Adia Victoria, Alanna Royale, Allen Stone, Amythyst Kiah, Aoife O’Donovan, Ben Gibbard, Billy Bragg, Birds of Chicago, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Chris Smither, Courtney Marie Andrews, Devon Gilfillian, Eric Bazilian, Gangstagrass, Irish Mythen, Ivan Neville, John Flynn, Josh Ritter, Katherine Priddy, Los Lobos, Matt Nakoa, Molly Tuttle, Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy, Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco, Turrisi, Richard Thompson, Robert Earl Keen, Shakey Graves, Sierra Ferrell, Steve Forbert, Susan Werner, Teddy Thompson, Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines, The Lone Bellow, The Milk Carton Kids, THE SUITCASE JUNKET, Tom Rush, Trixie Mattel and Watkins Family Hour, with more still to be announced.
Tickets are available for purchase on a pay-what-you-can scale, beginning at $25 USD, and even include an option for a Fest Pack with PFF59 Printed Program and a wristband mailed to your home to complete the festivval experience! For more information visit folkfest.org.