Whare Flat Folk Festival 26/27

Lineup

• More details about Gusto Gusto

  Gusto Gusto

  Raucous instrumental band. Dance-floor favourites. Finalists for the 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 Australian Folk Music Artist of the Year. The last two years have seen Gusto Gusto storming stages including Glastonbury Festival, Dark Mofo and Woodford, playing shows with Skerryvore (SCO), Snarky Puppy (US) and Azymuth (BR) and touring the UK, NZ and Australia. And now the world famous (sort of - in the right circles) Whare Flat Folk Festival stage!

• More details about Mickey & Michelle

  Mickey & Michelle

  Prepare to be captivated by Australia’s most riveting harp and fiddle duo, blending breathtaking musicianship with original music full of wonder. Descending from the mountains are harp and fiddle duo Mickey & Michelle, whose energetic and virtuosic performances have captured hearts throughout Australia and New Zealand. Celebrated for their intricate arrangements and heartfelt songwriting, Mickey & Michelle weave a gorgeous ‘chamber-folk’ tapestry of original Celtic music infused with vocal harmony and fiery improvisations.

• More details about Ali Whitton

  Ali Whitton

  Ali Whitton is a New Zealand-born, Yorkshire-raised singer-songwriter whose music is deeply influenced by the landscapes of both countries. Growing up in the isolated "Cathy and Heathcliff country" of rural North Yorkshire, he began writing songs as a teenager, inspired by discovering his father's hidden poetry. His musical career began in Leeds with the band Ali Whitton and the Broke Record Players before he moved to London to perform as a solo artist. During this time, he frequently shared stages and became friends with a then up-and-coming Ed Sheeran. In 2010, Whitton returned to New Zealand, where he eventually returned to the stage under the moniker LOST BIRD, often performing with fiddle player Oliver Vetter. A major turning point occurred in 2018 when Ed Sheeran invited Whitton to open for him at three stadium shows in New Zealand. Following further encouragement from Sheeran in 2023, Whitton committed to writing a song a week for a year-a "songwriter's gym" that resulted in 52 new tracks.

• More details about Adam & Marika

  Adam & Marika

  Adam and Marika met in the folk music scene regularly playing in the Clare Inn Irish sessions, they have often performed gigs for the Auckland Folk Festival, Saint Patrick’s Festivals, birthday parties, and all types of events over the North Island. Adam Ogle is a well-known musician in the Australasian scene, known for his work in the musical Once and the band Roughtown. He has also played with the likes of Sharon Shannon and Manus McGuire. Marika Chia has been in the music scene in New Zealand for over a decade and has performed with musicians such as Ms Lauryn Hill, Jordan Luck and other NZ greats. She’s been a staple at the Auckland Folk Festival for the past 4 years. They started out playing traditional Irish and Scottish and have since added in their own originals and gypsy tunes to their sets. They both enjoy the versatility of the genres and strive to broaden their own horizons as well their audience’s.

• More details about John Maydon

  John Maydon

  John Maydon is a familiar face around these parts even though he left our town a few moons ago now. He is a veteran multi-instrumentalist with four decades of performing and teaching experience. Originally from Mosgiel, his musical journey spans pure blues, session work, and several album releases. Now based in the North Island's Kirikiriroa, John plays guitar, bass, harmonica, and keyboards across four active groups in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and Auckland regions—including a family Americana band. Driven by a deep passion for blues and roots music, he remains dedicated to both his craft and advancing the musical development of others. Catch Otago-born "blues missionary" John Maydon at the Whare Flat Folk Festival! John sings, plays guitar and harmonica, and delivers a powerful live set with his band.

• More details about Burgess & Klein

  Burgess & Klein

  Richard Klein is a high energy singing fiddler born in Orange, New Jersey. Now a resident in Wellington since 1997, Richard is best known for his collaboration with the Le Blanc Brothers Cajun Band (Melbourne) and the geographically challenged Kiwi Americana band, T-Bone. With his versatile fiddle playing and strong vocal style Richard formed the RK Cajun band which included Levin based multi-instrumentalist and singer Simon Burgess. Simon plays guitar, bass and sings both solo and with a variety of bands, choirs and ensembles. In the local folk scene he has enjoyed supporting and the support of Mary Coughlan, Lorina Harding, Colleen Trenwith, Laura Collins and Andrew London. Together Richard and Simon have developed a broader repertoire as a duo, maintaining a solid base of Cajun songs and dance tunes but including some old-time, blues and more contemporary material. Their individual musical experiences range across Americana and European music, from Jazz to Scandinavian fiddle tunes, thus ensuring a potent mix of melody and rhythm in performance. Let the good times roll!!

• More details about Moon Goose

  Moon Goose

  Moon Goose have been performing to audiences across the motu, showcasing their unique blend of Celtic-inspired folk music, featuring both traditional songs from the British Isles and original compositions that celebrate nature, friendship, and the timeless spirit of folk music. Holly Dove (guitar, Celtic whistle, vocals), Britta Hamill (fiddle, vocals) and Charlie Radford (double bass, vocals) invite you to join them for an immersive musical journey rich with story and magic. Their music will move you deep and good.

• More details about Southriver

  Southriver

  Alt-folk band Southriver seek to draw you in with their banjo and mandolin led tunes, sweet harmonies and earnest lyrics. From the folk scene in Te Whanganui a Tara they travel the country from North to South finding friends along the way. Releasing their debut EP in 2025 under the banner of the 'Bidibids' they have honed their sound to reflect their love of folk, bluegrass and americana. With songwriter Sarah August on banjo and guitar and composer Brendan Schenk on mandolin and guitar, these two have been writing and playing together since 2021 creating a repertoire of troubled tunes for troubled times.