The lineup features international folk and roots music stars, national treasures, including First Nations artists and a diverse local line-up in partnership with The Boîte.
CresFest Folk and Roots Music Festival has announced its third round of acts joining the festival in March this year, bringing together an impressive selection of celebrated local, regional and statewide contemporary folk and world music artists for a weekend of revitalising musical encounters in the forested gold rush town of Creswick, between Daylesford and Ballarat.
Building on its already brilliant lineup, Tenzin Choegyal (Tibet) with a local orchestra, Martha Spencer (USA), Catriona McKay & Chris Stout (Scotland), Pirritu, Skyscraper Stan, and The Lost Clog have now been announced for CresFest 2023. In addition to the new acts, CresFest have also announced a new partnership with The Boîte, bringing young graduates of the Portfolio Project with roots in Chinese, Indian and Columbian music to CresFest. The Boîte artists include Sanacori Music Ensemble, Misagh Zamani, and Leo Dale and Vinod Prasanna who will be presenting ‘One Note’ – a participatory event where audiences are encouraged to bring an instrument to join a meditative exploration of the vibration of a single note.
CresFest 2023
- CresFest returns to the historic town of Creswick, nestled between Daylesford and Ballarat in 2023
- Martha Spencer (USA), Catriona McKay & Chris Stout (Scotland), Pirritu, Misagh Zamani lead the third artist lineup announcement
- The festival will see gold rush-era buildings, local pubs, cafes, and outdoor venues hosting intimate performances by celebrated contemporary folk and roots artists
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These musicians, and more, join an amazing lineup of artists already announced including Natalie & Brittany Haas (USA), Lucy Wise, Fred Smith, Monique Clare, Archer, Greg Champion, The Maggie Carty Band, Melbourne Scottish Fiddlers and Headphones Jones, Aboriginal singer/songwriter and proud Mutti Mutti man Kutcha Edwards, undisputed queens of British folk duos While and Matthews, Melbourne sister duo Charm of Finches (aka Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes, Ami Williamson and her One Woman Show, and Colum Sands ARIA award winner and songbird Kavisha Mazzella, among others.
With an incredible lineup locked in, the three-day multi-generational celebration of music, arts and culture is an exciting addition to the regional festival circuit, now returning for its second year. The festival sees the whole town throw open its doors and arms, with contemporary folk and roots artist performances from some of the best local, national and international artists hosted across a variety of locations – from gold-rush era buildings and local pubs to cafes and outdoor venues.
Across the entire town and beyond, punters can sit back and enjoy the performances in several unique spaces, sample local wine and produce, explore the history of the town, and take advantage of premium accommodation options. There will also be a family bush dance, busking festival, youth stage, music and dance workshops for all ages, locals talent quest, and more!
Just 90 minutes’ drive from Melbourne, Geelong and Bendigo, Creswick is nestled between Daylesford and Ballarat, easily accessible by road or public transport (both train and bus), and is the perfect place to spend a lazy weekend – or longer – with numerous accomodation and dining options nearby to suit most tastes and budgets. Supported by most of the local businesses, a crucial CresFest partnership is with the RACV Goldfields Resort, with its lush grounds and golfing facility making a special weekend for all.
CresFest takes place from March 31 2023 to April 2 2023. Head here for more info.
