Performers

SykesCampbell What happens when a Living Legend of Australian Poetry collides with a singer-songwriter who's written anthems for the United Nations ? You get SykesCampbell - funny, fierce and impossible to ignore. Robyn Sykes bends language like a gymnast. Pete Campbell'ssongs speak to our times without flinching. Together, they're something else entirely.

John Peel John Peel is an award winning performer of Australian Bush poetry. John's repertoire covers a broad range, from fencing duels to fishing, Elvis and many subjects in between. From traditional bush ballads to his own humourous originals, you are bound to be entertained.

Ian Hayden & Friends Ceili Band plays energetic up-tempo music for Irish set dancing. The band members are all experienced ceili band musicians who love playing their driving rhythms for the set dancers. Our band lineup includes fiddle, flute, button accordion, concertina and guitar.

Lidia Rose 

Lizz Murphy

Phil Bates Phil is a singer and guitarist from Newcastle, NSW, who has spent the last 50 years immersed in folk music, both traditional and modern. In that time he’s amassed a huge repertoire of songs and stories that he would love to share with you, so come along and enjoy his favourite songs. And, if you feel like singing along in the choruses, you’re more than welcome!

Phil Carr “Our Phil travelled as a youth from his hometown, Brum, England, to Ireland to look for his roots and got bitten by the ballad-bug. While a volunteer at Yass and Quinty last year, he entertained us with the old songs, entwined with his own heartwarming songs about travelling and campfires. He creates a cosey and fun atmosphere, and I think he‘s marvellous.” Janette (his big sister)

Amber Kenny Amber Kenny hails from the Southern Highlands on Gundungurra land in New South Wales, where she lives on a farm with her family, horses, and her cherished Maton guitar. A passionate songwriter, she has been described as an Australian Joni Mitchell who lives on the back of a horse, a tea-drinking, barefoot poet. Amber’s music blends captivating melodies with raw, deeply personal lyrics, resonating strongly with listeners through its honesty and emotional depth. Amber brings a vibrant energy to the stage, enriched with real life heartfelt stories. In 2025 Amber released her debut album “‘Beautiful Scars’ that was produced by Syd Green (Kasey Chamber’s drummer) and Ben Fink (The Whitlams), alongside Amber. It features an impressive line-up of musical talent including Lyn Bowtell (10-time Golden Guitar winner), Lloyd Swanton (The Necks) and Clare O'Meara (John Williamson, The Bushwhackers). The album is full of deep layers of emotion and storytelling, combining soaring vocals and beautiful musicianship. It has been featured across Australia on more than 40 community radio stations as well as ABC Country, with the album’s singles receiving positive airplay on Grass Roots and Saturday Night Country.

Paul and Leslie Carr with Set In Their Ways Dance Group A fun-loving group of Irish Set Dancers from Canberra dancing traditional and contemporary Irish Set dances. We will be teaching a series of workshops featuring the latest dances as taught by Pat Murphy at this year’s summer schools in Ireland including Castletown Co Laois, Tubbercurry Co Sligo, and Drumshambo Co Leitrim. We will include these dances along with perennial favourites in our two Set Dancing Ceilithe (plural of ceili). These dances are open to everyone so come along and have a go yourself. Music for the ceilithe will be supplied by Ian Hayden and friends with their awesome repertoire of lively jigs, reels, polkas, slides and hornpipes. Don’t miss this opportunity to kick up your heels.

North and Elsewhere – Hazel and Roanna Law Sisters Hazel and Roanna Law were raised on folk music and family harmonies in the heart of the Sunshine Coast. Their ancestry reaches back to the Scottish Highlands, where their grandmother was born into a crofting family in 1933. As North and Elsewhere, their sibling harmonies and storytelling lyricism pay homage to those roots.

Night Owls Jeannie Kay and Stewart Porter are Night Owls, a duo performing bluegrass, Americana and folk through covers and original songs. Their musicianship and close harmonies create an entertaining, foot-tapping show influenced by Bill Monroe, John Prine, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils and Christy Moore.

Na Peacaigh Na Peacaigh—Irish for “The Sinners”—are an upbeat Sydney band singing traditional and modern songs in the Irish language, with a sprinkling of foot-tapping tunes. All four members are accomplished performers on the Sydney Celtic and folk scene, creating a polished, lively and engaging ensemble sound.

Low Commitment String Band (John Healy & crew) Low Commitment String Band plays old-time string-band music with deep roots in the Appalachian tradition and an energy that is anything but low. Banjo, fiddle, mandolin and guitar carry traditional American tunes and songs alongside originals that feel at home in the old repertoire. Based in Sydney and the Blue Mountains, the members bring extensive Australian festival and international touring experience.

jo jo Blakeney Jojo Blakeney is a proud queer, non-binary Irish-diaspora artist born on unceded Wurundjeri Country. Their work entwines ambient music for meditation with traditional Gaelic folk music, gently layered with poetry. Their songs return to a shared yearning for a softer, kinder world.

Jose Garcia José Garcia performs with Barbara Jeffrey as Tidal Moon, creating folk music with harp, guitar, flute and bodhrán. Drawing on traditions from Australia, Scotland, Ireland, the Philippines and Mexico, their baritone and soprano voices blend across traditional and original songs in several languages.

Geoffrey Graham Geoffrey Graham uses music, verse and comedy to reveal the humour, depth and history that abound in Australia. A skilled thematic performer, he builds shows around writers and subjects including Lawson, Paterson, C. J. Dennis, Voices of War and Scrambled Verse, connecting readily with audiences through story and song.

Canberra English Session with Jackie Luke The Canberra English Session meets fortnightly at Smith’s Alternative to play the very best of English traditional music. Jigs, polkas and 3/2 hornpipes share the menu with airs, waltzes and those mysterious maggots. The repertoire spans the United Kingdom and includes contemporary tunes that now sit firmly within the tradition. Join Jackie Luke and the session musicians for a tune or two and plenty of good cheer.

Cailleach The Cailleach is a near-forgotten Gaelic goddess of land, water, winter and ancestors. This doom-folk power duo brings her to life through hypnotic vocals, Scottish smallpipes, Gaelic language, guitars, live looping and traditional storytelling, exploring what it means to belong to this land, Australia.

Air & Grace Sometimes slow and sensual, sometimes fast and furious, Air and Grace combine the beauty of the harp with sweet, harmonised flutes. Their repertoire draws on Celtic-inspired music from Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Brittany, interpreting traditional tunes with sensitivity and originality.

Barbara Jeffrey Singer/songwriter - Barbara Jeffrey loves to perform her original pieces and also Scottish traditional songs, plus Latin American rhythms. Her entire professional life has been entirely musical, covering education, composition and performance. This includes orchestras, classical ensembles and touring nationally with the acclaimed Ten Sopranos. A brilliant soprano vocalist, her main instrument is harp, although the flute and ukulele do at times make an appearance. With a keen eye and ear for excellence, Barbara is inspired by the outstanding, the brilliant and the beautiful.

Thomas Weaver honours Irish and Scottish ancestors by singing Celtic songs, old and new, accompanied by a gorgeous octave mandolin. Singing about joy, love, inclusiveness, understanding, and courage, and is no stranger to laughter. They will beguile you with dulcet tones, taking you places where you can see the wonder of the world we live in and the beauty of the people around us. Don’t be surprised if you leave this act feeling better about yourself, the world, and your place in it.

We are music loving friends whose busking debut occurred at Tamworth Festival. Since then we have been chomping at the bit to perform again. The Yass Festival seems like the welcoming venue we are hoping for.

Tasmanian based folk trio led by charismatic Scotsman, Graeme McColgan, accompanied by two seasoned Tasmanian musicians, Neil Gray and Bob Connor, create a dynamic blend of Scottish and Irish folk music. From lively Irish classics to 200 year-old heartfelt Scottish ballads, they deliver an unforgettable performance filled with infectious energy, incredible 3-part harmonies and a shared love for Celtic musical traditions.

The Mountain Dew Band have been together for over 20 years They have appeared at many Folk Festivals including The National Folk Festival, The Illawarra Folk Festival, The Celtic and Irish Festival Yass, The Gulgong Folk Festival, The Queanbeyan Medieval Fair, Tallong Apple Day, etc etc. Band Members: Tony Rodwell Guitar/Vocals Philip Lawton PianoAccordion Shay Byrne Button Accordion/Vocals Teena Rodwell Bodhran. They cover Irish/Country/Folk/Aussie/Bush Dances. We are noted for our “Lively” music and audience involvement.

The Full Irish bring the Irish pub session to the stage. Their performance ranges from powerful up-tempo songs to haunting ballads steeped with the earthy sound of their Irish roots. The Full Irish perform traditional Irish folk songs and tunes, as well as contemporary Irish music and original songs.

ChOOks: energetic, humorous, musically strong. An eclectic blend of original material and well-loved songs to tell our stories. We are equally at ease playing much loved ‘lurve’ ballads as we are giving songs with a bit of social bite a good airing. We have a very scientific method of song selection. If we like it, we play a ‘ChOOkified’ version.

Growing up on a diet of BBC hits in Sri Lanka, then gravitating to her father’s cowboy song collection when they emigrated to Melbourne; later discovering the guitar slinging singer-songwriters and Celtic songbirds, Suzette Herft has emerged as a captivating troubadour in her own right with her award-winning original songs and a gift for facilitating singing and songwriting sessions. Suzette is a powerful and engaging stage performer, who shines with a natural grace and presence. "Suzette sings from her soul, she glows when she sings... every song is plucked with precision from her heart" Mundy (Ireland).

Sullie is an Irish singer-songwriter based in Sydney, blending acoustic folk with punk energy. His original songs explore love, loss, and social justice. A regular on the folk festival circuit, he has also performed at major fundraising events, with his current project The World Knows delivering a powerful anti-war message.

Known as wonderful storytellers through their music, this contemporary folk band captivate audiences with inspiring lyrics set to catchy melodies with refreshingly arranged traditional instrumentation. Multi-instrumentalists and songwriters, their long history together is obvious through the chemistry in their vocal and instrumental harmonies. True folkies, they use acoustic guitars, mandolins, fiddle, banjo, and accordion to create a unique sound, influenced by Celtic, country and indie genres.

‘Song Brother’ was an affectionate term used by Anthony Woolcott and Miguel Heatwole during 25 years together in the Celtic vocal trio, Triantan. Sophie Moore hass happily become their sister and together they sing with skill and love. Always loyal to traditional folksongs they also harmonise 1970s prog rock and Tolkein.

Shona Williams is a Glaswegian born singer songwriter with a passion to connect others with their Celtic heritage and the songs of their ancestors. Phil Lester is a troubadour of the Folk music scene together they have been likened to the legendary The Corrie’s and the banter to match.

Shona Williams is a traditional Scottish/Irish Sean nos singer with a passion for bringing to life the stories and cultural history of the Scots Irish peoples. Delicately weaving the audience into their heritage through the events which lead to the mass enforced migration of Scots and Irish to Australian/American shores and giving them a sense of connection.

Dynamic award-winning performer: Tick. Versatile prize-winning poet: Tick. Living Legend of Australian Poetry: Tick. Poems published inter/nationally and online: Tick.  What are you waiting for? Don’t miss Robyn Sykes!

Rachel Clark is a Melbourne-based, self-taught singer-songwriter whose music blends soulful folk, blues, and acoustic storytelling. With heartfelt honesty, she explores love, loss, and resilience through songs that linger long after the last note. Over the past decade, Rachel has performed at many festivals across Australia, captivating audiences with her intimate and evocative performances. On stage, Rachel Clark’s voice is equal parts tender and powerful, weaving soulful folk-blues songs that move effortlessly from hushed intimacy to raw intensity, joined by award-winning guitarist Harvey Blues, her live shows balance warmth, depth, and raw emotion, offering an experience that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

A singer-songwriter, performer and activist, Peter Campbell’s music is poetic and powerful, exploring our shared humanity without flinching. His evocative lyrics, rich melodies and magnetic stage presence captivate hearts and minds. Expect raucous participation, striking finger-style 6 string, feisty 12 string, tender banjo and arresting a capella – a powerful reminder of music’s ability to heal and inspire.

Poet and reciter Oliver Roweth (he/it) has been a regular on festival stages since he was six years old. His original free verse poetry covers themes of neurodivergence, queerness, and the unique ways in which the two intersect.

Mad Kelpie Playdate is an instrumental Celtic six-piece, born from a shared love of crazy dogs and high-energy tunes. Fusing Scottish and Irish bagpipes with flute, guitar, keyboard, and percussion, they bring a fresh, modern edge to traditional Celtic music. Their sound blends intricate harmonies, original compositions, and driving rhythms into a foot-stomping, heart-pounding celebration of Celtic music.

Jeff Brown has been playing Celtic, folk and classical harmonica for over 50 years with various folk bands, classical groups, country bands, swing jazz groups and solo performances. He has taught beginner and advanced harmonica classes at TAFE, festivals and privately. Jeff was a winner the Australian Harmonica Championships in Tamworth and released an album featuring the chromatic harmonica.

Fun, energetic performances showcasing brilliant musicianship and funky arrangements of some well known tunes and songs. Sally Carter and Keith Rea artfully combine their love of Celtic music with some other genres, creating a unique sound to keep their audiences wanting more.

Fletcher Von Holstein are a duo from the Upper Lachlan Valley who have been performing together for many years, you'll be captivated by this Celtic / Irish Contemporary set, featuring U2, The Saw Doctors, Bob Geldof, Sinead, & The Cranberries etc with beautiful harmonies, Guitars, Piano Accordion, Fiddle & Banjo.

Emmy’s music carries the weight of solitude and the warmth of solidarity. A semi-finalist in the celebrated International Songwriting Competition in 2024, Emmy’s soul-stirring vocals and intricate guitar and mandolin playing feel like desert winds – gentle one moment, powerful the next. Emmy’s songwriting has been compared to that of Laura Marling, Rachel Baiman, and Sarah Blasko, but her sound is uniquely her own.

Daniel Kelly is a local songwriter and ballad collector. He has a strong interest in the storytelling nature of ballads and their connection to history and cultural identity. Daniel sings his own songs and traditional Celtic material in a bass/baritone with guitar accompaniment. In addition to local Yass concerts and events, he has also performed Internationally at the Ohio Valley Filk Festival in 2023, the Kiama Folk Festival in 2022 and Bundanoon Folk Festival in 2024.

Christina Green is a Melbourne-based singer-songwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist. She performs original songs in a contemporary folk idiom that draws on folk, folk-rock, blues, jazz and cabaret elements. Christina’s songs have been described as ‘snapshots, portraits, landscapes, stories and moments in time, pieces of mindfulness’ - observational and lyrically engaging, they are delivered with a mix of guitar/ukulele with occasional harmonica and percussion additions.