Woodford Announces Diverse Bill For 2012

The Woodford Folk Festival is back for its 27th year running in 2012-13 and a quick look at this year's line-up proves that it just continues to grow and grow and grow each and every year. It's another diverse range of artists, from punk to country to folk to blues to soul to dub and so much more.

John Butler Trio, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Katchafire, Kate Miller-Heidke, Jeff Martin, The Saints, Angus Stone, Archie Roach, Julia Stone, Urthboy, emma louise, Young Magic, Tim Hart, Stiff Gins, Hawksley Workman, Hermitude, Cub Scouts, Darren Percival and Band, Electric Empire, Folk Uke, Thelma Plum, Will & The People, Half Moon Run, Los Coronas, Mama Kin, Nicky Bomba's BUSTAMENTO, Sticky Fingers, Sunshine Brothers Chapelier Fou, Swamp Thing, Andy Brown, Bobby Alu, Chris Gillespie & The Wandering Hands, Die Roten Punkte, Gramophone Man, Hugo & Treats, Impossible Odds, Juice Media's Rap News, Kooii, Mario: Queen of the Circus, Microwave Jenny, Ngaiire, Playwrite, Radical Son, Ryan Coffey

Listen to and read all about the line up here!

JOHN BUTLER TRIO:

Surely he needs no introduction by now; John Butler Trio's rootsy-rock is multi-ARIA Award winning, multi APRA Award winning and has multi-platinum sales to its name. The trio (in their various guises) have sold over a million albums in Australia alone and Butler - who made this inaugural AMID Power 50 – is getting rarer with his festival appearances, making this opportunity to see him in the gorgeous surrounds of Woodford pretty damn special.

SHARON JONES & THE DAP-KINGS:

Touring their jazz-soul-funk around the globe for over a decade now, it's a pleasure to have Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings back in the country. With a new-school approach to an old-school fans the American collective have fans from around the world, right up into the oval office. Australia is increasingly kind to the band, it seems we just appreciate really damn good live shows, and live shows don't come much better than those that Jones and co put on. Bring your dancing shoes!

KATCHAFIRE:

One of New Zealand's biggest exports, Katchafire have, over the years, proved themselves to be one of the world's finest roots reggae bands. Audiences all across the planet agree and after 15 years you just know that they have refined their live show so nicely that they deliver the goods night after night. They're a perfect band for summer and a perfect fit for Woodford.

KATE MILLER-HEIDKE:

It has been another huge year for this Brisbane chanteuse, with the release of her Nightflight LP early in the year, a bunch of huge shows all across Australia and some massive tours in overseas territories as well, including a just-completed jaunt across America with the Ben Folds Five. Kate Miller-Heidke returns to home soil over summer to give the Woodford crowd a tasty of her diverse, quirky pop music.

THE SAINTS:

Staying local, let's not forget one of our country's greatest contributions to the history of punk rock; Brisbane's mighty The Saints. The band is still led by Chris Bailey, the formidable frontman, and while he is the only remaining original member of the group, the songs remain powerful and the spirit stays alive. They'll blow the top off Woodford this year, no doubt about it.

ANGUS STONE:

His first solo record performed very nicely indeed upon its release a couple of months ago and his recent performances across the country in support of it proved that Angus Stone has the pulling power with and without his sister by his side. Though, speaking of his sister…

JULIA STONE:

While Angus & Julia Stone might not be on this year's bill, Angus and Julia Stone both are. Woodford will be a nice way to cap off what have been pretty massive years for both Stone siblings and we're sure there will be plenty of people very excited to see the both of them. We reckon they are going to fit right in.

EMMA LOUISE:

Queensland's Emma Louise clearly has very big things ahead of her and as her popularity continues to skyrocket we continue to wonder how popular she can get once she releases an album and further crosses over. But talk like that can add unneeded pressure, we're enjoying watching her grow – we have for a long time – and we're pretty sure she'll be able to pull together a pretty special set for Woodford this year.

URTHBOY

With a new record just released and scoring hugely positive reviews, Urthboy (aka Tim Levinson) will be unleashing new material along with some of those older favourites. Levinson, who first surfaced as a member of Aussie hip hop outfit The Herd, already has three solo albums under his belt and is a co-founder of Elefant Traks. He's a force to be reckoned with!

HERMITUDE:

Their HyperParadise record has been one of the most well-regarded urban/electronic releases of the year and Blue Mountains duo Hermitude have been making people across the country dance like crazy when they've played cuts from it, and their three other LPs, on the live stage throughout the year. You can just imagine how bananas Woodford is going to go when they drop Speak Of The Devil at just the right time this December.

JEFF MARTIN:

Canadian Jeff Martin is pretty much an Aussie these days. He caps off 2012, the year he got back together with his much adored band The Tea Party, and played a bunch of shows in the different bands he leads. If you're a fan of anything Jeff Martin has done, you'll be very pleased to see him on the Woodford line up this year.

ARCHIE ROACH:

Archie Roach has lived one hell of a life; from being a part of the stolen generation, to battling with alcoholism to surviving a stroke and lung cancer and most recently having to deal with the death of his life partner and soul mate Ruby Hunter. Through all of this Archie Roach has made some incredible music that draws from his life experience and proves what an incredible mind he possesses to be able to translate all of this into music. An Archie Roach set is always a special experience; it'll be even more so at Woodford.

HAWKSLEY WORKMAN:

We're onto Hawksley Workman, we know exactly what he is doing. Just about every year at around the same time he comes over here to treat us to performances of the tunes that have made him one of Canada's most adored singer-songwriters. We love that, it's nice to see him, but he's clearly just here because he hates the cold that an Ontario winter brings. We don't blame him; we'd prefer to be at Woodford too. A masterful performer, you should check him out if you're late to the party.

WILL & THE PEOPLE:

From the UK, this is a band created - and destined - for the live performance. Veterans of Glastonbury among a whole bunch of other events, Will & The People are a mix of prog-house, swing institutions and party vibes.

FOLK UKE:

The name Folk Uke might not ring a bell, but the surnames Guthrie and Nelson will for any country music fan. Amy Nelson is the daughter of Willie, Cathy Guthrie the daughter of Arlo and granddaughter of Woody. Together they play fucked up country songs that speak of fucked up subject matters and it is a whole lot of fun. Maybe not a great one to take the kids to, but a show you should check out all the same.

THELMA PLUM:

This young Brisbane based artist has been wowing crowds with her intelligent songwriting and proficient performing style since she appeared pretty much out of nowhere just a couple of months ago. One gets the feeling that, if she wants it, Thelma Plum could have a long and fruitful career as a performing artist – make sure you catch her at Woodford and get in on the ground floor.  

LOS CORONAS:

This Spanish surf rock group are renowned for putting their own surfy spin on classic tunes from throughout the ages. Los Coronas are going to be the perfect band to watch as you hang out in another perfect Australian summer, drinking a beer, thinking about all the sick pits you're gonna get right up inside in the forthcoming year, while having a dance, a laugh and a sing-along with your finest friends.