National Folk Festival Reveals First 2016 Artist Line-Up

The annual National Folk Festival celebrates its 50th incarnation in 2016, and organisers are ensuring that the event celebrates the occasion in fitting style when it returns in March with today's revelation of the first six acts to grace the line-up for next year's shindig.

Leading the charge for the milestone event are venerated Scottish outfit Manran, stalwart Canadian outfit (and Port Fairy Folk Fest drawcards) The East Pointers and a slew of excellent home-grown talent, including bluegrass heroes The Company, lauded performer Jacinta Price, lap-slide master Andrew Winton and 2014 Folk Alliance Young Performer Of The Year award winners The Mae Trio, who will be launching new EP September at the event.

That's just the tip of the iceberg, though, with the final festival expected to welcome more than 120 acts over five days next year. 

"We have a very special program planned for the 50th National Folk Festival, and the 2016 festival will be like no other," festival director Pam Merrigan said in a statement.

"There'll be artists and audiences converging from every corner of the globe and around Australia to be part of our 50th celebrations, and we do have a few surprises in store."

You'll have to wait a few months before all is revealed though; the 2016 National Folk Festival runs in Canberra — where it has been held every year since 1992 — from 24-28 March. Discounted early-bird tickets are available now.

For more information, see the event's website.