The Folk By The Sea organisers have a reputation for eclectic lineups to cater for a wide range of musical tastes under the folk banner.

The recently released line-up for the 2018 festival continues in this vein, featuring two of Britain’s finest folk artists, a six-times Tamworth Golden Guitar winner, a leading Indigenous singer-songwriter, a ‘convict punk’ band from Tasmania and a gypsy jazz band.

The British Folk Royalty on the bill are Ken Nicol and Alan Reid.

Nicol is a consummate musician who spent 15 years to 2002 with acclaimed British folk band Albion, and then eight years playing and touring the world with the legendary Steeleye Span.

He will be collaborating with Melbourne-based Scottish singer Fiona Ross, with three performances throughout the festival, as well as doing a solo show.

Alan Reid and Dutch musician Rob van Sante were long-time members of Scotland’s Battlefield Band, and will team up in performances on Friday and Saturday night.

Luke O’Shea

Six-times Golden Guitar winner Luke O’Shea will attract large audiences to his Friday and Saturday night performances. He is currently touring Australia promoting his latest album, Caught Up In The Dreaming.

Playing guitar, mandolin, banjo and harmonica, indigenous singer-songwriter Glenn Skuthorpe will perform on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. He has toured extensively in Australia and internationally.

In their traditional walk on the wilder side of the folk music scene, and this year’s festival will feature Tasmanian band The Dead Maggies, rocking it out with their convict-inspired brand of punk folk. Elsewhere on the program, Melbourne-based gypsy jazz quartet The Royal High Jinx are expected get feet stomping to a different beat.

Festival coordinator Rod Cork says this year’s festival line-up is right up there with the best in the five years it has been staged.

“With Ken Nicol, Alan Reid, Fiona Ross and Rob van Sante, we have again attracted acclaimed international performers, as well as many top Australian acts,” Cork said.

As always, the festival will feature around 50 acts, with 100 performances over the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the last weekend in September.

Details:  September 21-23, Kiama Pavilion and nearby venues. Early Bird two-day tickets on sale now for $60 at http://www.folkbythesea.com.au