Don't let the name deceive you. The
Port Fairy Folk Music Festival, on from Friday March 9th to Monday the 12th across the Labour Day weekend, delivers some fine folk music. However, its multi-genre musical repertoire also brings country, blues, jazz, bluegrass, acoustic rock, world music and more to 20 venues in the picturesque seaside village of Port Fairy.
Don't let the term 'village' deceive you either. Yes,
Port Fairy is a charming, small, seaside fishing village at the far, Portland end of the great Great Ocean Road. The arrival, however, of 30,000 or so music-loving people itching to sing, dance, sway, sashay or maybe even stomp to a mind-blowing
line-up featuring 22 international acts and 100 Aussie artists sees Port Fairy swell to super proportions.
I'd say get your
tickets, get them quick, and book whatever's left
accommodation-wise asap, even if you have to stay out of town and have to take a short daily drive along that great Great Ocean Road to get in. It's a long weekend and the road is world-renowned for its scenic beauty. Bring it on, I say.
Chill out to
John Butler, cruise to
Clare Bowditch (Rolling Stone Magazine's 'Woman of the Year' for her contribution to culture), and jump up and down to
Jimi Hocking.
Discover Adam Cohen, son of legendary poet-balladeer, Leonard Cohen, and be moved by the heartfelt stories and songs of Archie Roach. These are just some of my picks.
If you go the music fest, you'll be so busy taking in all the
music, seeing known bands and exploring new, you probably won't get much time to explore the wider area.
If you don't know the Great Ocean Road (and, if that's the case, you need to get out more), you can see some stunning
images by Rodney Hyett and maybe even get yourself a
guidebook.
It's a good step towards getting out there and really living it.
Go West and jump on a tour bus for a lovely, lazy way to soak it all up - while someone else handles the drive.
See you at Port Fairy. I'll be chillin' out to John, crusin' to Clare, jumpin' to Jimi and having my soul stirred by Archie - for starters anyway.
