Woodford Folk Festival Unveils Utterly Bonkers 2016 Program

Annual multi-day music, arts, craft, comedy, dance, circus and camping wonderland Woodford Folk Festival has revealed its immense 2016-17 program ahead of this year's event, featuring headline performances from a genuinely diverse array of talent including Amanda Palmer, Tash Sultana, Kev Carmody, Paul Kelly & Charlie Owen and many more.

The beloved, laid-back event is going all out for its 31st iteration, boasting more than 400 acts showcasing across 25 venues over its six-day duration, with performers coming from all manner of creative backgrounds to keep the whole family pleased as Punch.

Festival head of programming Chloe Goodyear certainly seemed to think so, saying in a statement: "There are so many performers we've been having conversations with over many years from Australia and across the world, this is both a year of firsts along with a year of great past performers returning. We are pretty sure there are going to be some delighted supporters and, as always, an abundance of new discoveries."

Also among the delights on offer are Canadian singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie, local science hero Dr Karl, celebrated songstress Thelma Plum, national comedy treasure Judith Lucy, the acerbic wit of Charles Firth, the eclectic world of Meow Meow, lauded rock outfit Gang Of Youths, veteran rapper Urthboy, stalwart soul/funk ensemble The Bamboos, Irish fly-in Wallis Bird, inimitable US guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Jerron 'Blind Boy' Paxton, the international charms of Xylouris White and a whole swathe of others — seriously, the program is so huge they had to set up a whole specific exploration thing on their website for it, which you should definitely go spend some time with.

This year's festival will feature 14 giant puppets created by master-crafter Daniele Poidomani — two of which feature on this year's poster, by Woodfordia artist-in-residence Gavin Ryan — to be used in both the Opening Ceremony and iconic closing ceremony, The Fire Event.

As festival director Bill Hauritz noted in a statement, artistic drive and appreciation have long been an indelible part of not only the Woodford philosophy but the human experience, and this year's festival — as always — is aiming to encapsulate that energy.

"Without artists we might as well be living on the surface of the Moon, devoid of the air to breathe … they provide inspiration, beauty, thoughtfulness and commentary on our lives and their influence on our culture is profound," Hauritz said.

"At Woodford they’re let loose and make a great festival experience for everyone," he said.

The 31st Woodford Folk Festival will be held at its historic home of Woodfordia from 27 December to 1 January 2017.

Early-bird tickets are available now, lasting at their current discounted price until 24 December. Tickets rise once again once you're standing at the gate without one, so, you know, you may as well move sooner rather than later.

For more information, including a full look at the voluminous program hitting Woodfordia in just a couple of months' time, see the festival's website or head this way to go straight to the full program.