We wander around the family-friendly grounds of the Port Fairy Folk Festival
The 35th Port Fairy Folk Festival for me began on the Saturday, the second day of the four-day festival, arriving too late Friday night. It was a stinking hot day in steamy, poorly ventilated tent stages. I started early, 10am with international guests Les Chauffeurs a Pieds (from Quebec) whose foot percussion during a fiddle solo was a delight, their between songs banter… not so much. Perhaps something lost in translation.
Folkie has a dynamic demographic: baby and senior friendly. It also has a unique etiquette. In general people don’t dance, or even stand. It’s picnic blankets or short beach chairs all the way. It was strange to see a band rocking out on stage to a polite, neatly seated, quiet crowd. But my feet were thanking me, no aching legs and feet for this reviewer. Definitely invest in a beach chair; it was worth it.
At midday, I headed over to catch Graveyard Train who were painfully hurting from a monster hangover from too much whiskey according to frontman Nick Finch. Their first three songs weren’t hitting the mark – which had me worried as I was talking them up to my friends –but once they got over the hump they were as funny and entertaining as usual. Their original brand of horror country titillated the mainly older crowd with songs like ‘Walk Like A Mummy’ and ‘Bit By A Dog’.
Darren Hanlon was up next. I was dubious at the beginning having heard some of his music and not liking it that much, but in a live setting his story-telling style works. He was funny and accommodating and eager to take the audience’s requests.
By this stage I was unusually sober for a festival, so after 2.30 I headed to the licensed tent, The Shebeen. The only booze served was Guinness and wine so if you’re not a fan of either, too bad. Lucky I love Guinness. They have the dreaded ticket for booze system, another delay and queue to join before that creamy foam touched my lips. It didn’t matter who was playing at that time as you couldn’t really pay attention over the noise of the boozers (bad news for Lisa Miller).
Folkie features a variety of hosted themed concerts that offer a smorgasbord of artists interpreting the theme through song. I went to the Car Tapes concert with Joe Pug, Bob Evans, Donna Simpson & Vikki Thorn, Liz Stringer, Darren Hanlon, Jordie Lane, Rosie Burgess and Dan Kelly. It was great hearing the different interpretations with their performances about half-original/half-covers, which often ending up in a group jam session.
We went on to catch Dan Kelly’s Dream Band playing free gig in town. We arrived just in time to a nearly empty, sweatbox venue. The crowd was divided: the older people sitting in the back, the significantly younger people right up the front, and virtually no one in the middle. The youngsters were drunk (or something else) and some of the drunken townies were heckling poor Dan with jibes like “Show us ya bits! Take ya shirt off!” It was annoying to witness, but Dan was patient and a true gent, simply replying finally “But I’m not in shape, you take yours off” It was nice seeing the crowd actually get into the music with most of the youngsters dancing wildly as Dan Kelly’s Dream Band rocked out and for the last song about half the crowd invaded the small stage dancing as the band finished their set.
The next day began with A Woman’s Voice at midday with Mary Black, Rosie Flores, Ali Mills, Deborah Conway, Shakura S’Aida, Aoife O’Donovan, Christa Hughs and Mama Kin. Their interpretations were emotional and moving without getting too sappy. Again, everyone ended up improv jamming and ended the concert with a more upbeat Texan rockabilly visitor Rosie Flores. It was a big, fat love-in.
We caught Shakura S’Aida back at The Shebeen and she was a highlight of the festival. Singing old time blues with a great band, she commanded attention from the boozy crowd, telling everyone it was now time to get out of our chairs and dance. And if you don’t know how, it doesn’t matter, she’ll show you. The amazing guitarist broke into solos nearly every song and I found myself dancing along and getting caught up in it all.
Straight after in The Shebeen was the Sunday Singalong with Rick E Vengeance. I was privileged to witness another family tradition of belting out tunes karaoke style to the likes of ‘Land Down Under’, ‘Stand By Me’ and ‘American Pie’. My reticence was noticed by the family, who then dragged me to my feet and coached me when I didn’t know the lyrics, until yes, even I was singing (surely the Guinness contributed to that). The whole exercise was raucous and heart-warming and it was then I realised Folkie was more about community, family and tradition than massive headline acts.
I left The Singalong early to get a good position for Joe Pug. The tent was packed but managed to squeeze my chair in a good spot. Joe was innocently sincere and a great lyricist – a perfect entrée for the more colourful Justin Townes Earle who freely chatted about love of cocaine, women and fried chicken, but not particularly in that order. Perhaps he thinks he’s more charming than he actually is. Despite that, I still enjoyed the set.
I saw a lot of new music and plenty of familiar music, yet I know I was barely scratching the surface. One thing I can surely guarantee about Folkie is that the inclusive vibe and the abundant talent would’ve warmed every corner.
