Nearly 150 artists/acts from more than 20 countrie have been jury-selected to perform in Official Showcases during the 35th annual Folk Alliance International Conference that is slated for February 1-5, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Chosen to present 30-minute sets on full-production stages with lighting and sound before presenters, agents, managers, media, artists, and other music professionals during the music business conference were Adrian + Meredith, Afrikana Soul Sister, Alice Hasen & The Blaze, Alicia Toner, Alysha Brilla, Amy Lavere, Amy Speace, Andrea Von Kampen, Angelique Francis, Anna Ekborg, Anya Hinkle featuring Billy Cardine, Aysanabee, Bailey Bigger, Barnaby Bright, Ben Sures, Berk Jodoin, Bobby Alu, Brad Reid Quartet, Brek, Bruce Molsky, Bruno Capinan, Buffalo Rose, Canyoon City, Cary Morin Duo, Casii Stephan, Celeigh Cardinal, Charly Lowry, Charm of Finches, Chatham Rabbits, Damoizeaux, Dan Navarro, Delbert Anderson Trio, Digawolf, Dom Flemons, Elexa Dawson, Eljuri, Emily Nenni, Emma Langford, Ernest Aines, Falls, Fanny Lumsden, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Chao Tian Flagship Romance, Fortunate Ones, Fourwinds, Gangar, Genevieve Racette, Gina Chavez, Gordie McKeeman and His Rhythm Boys, Hanne Kah, Harry Manx, Heather Pierson Duo, Holly Arrowsmith, Humbird, Ian Sherwood, Iona Fyfe, Jack Klatt, Jaimee Harris, Jake Blount, Jancie Jo Lee, Jason Lang: Homage to Penny Lang, Jennifer Knapp, Jenny Mitchell, JigJam, Jim and Sam, Jim Stevens, Jobi Riccio, Joe Jencks, Joy Clark, Karan Casey, Kelley Hunt, Kellie Loder, Kitty MacFarlane, Kris Drever, Lady Nade, Larry & Joe, Le Diable a Cinq, Le Winston Band, Les Arrivants, Les Hay Babies, Les Rats D’Swompe, Les Tireux D’Roches, Little Misty,Lon, Los Arcos Hermanos Pena, Matthew Fowler, Melisande [Electrotrad], Memphissippi Sounds, Mike Biggar, Missy Raines & Allegheny, Monique Clare, My Son the Hurricane, Nadia Larcher with Ensemble Iberica, Nani (Noam Vazana), Nat Myers, Nefesh Mountain, Nigel Wearne, Northern Resonance, Okcello, Ordinary Elephant, Oshima Brothers, Phoebe Hunt, Pipo Romero, Queen Esther, Quote the Raven, Rainbow Girls, Raine Hamilton String Trio, Rakish, Ray Bonneville, Rev. Robert B. Jones, Ron Artis II, Royal Wood, Rum Ragged, Sawyer Fredericks, Seth Walker, Shane Hennessy, Shane Pendergast, Silver Wolf Band, Siomha, So Long Seven, Sophie Lukacs, Spence LaJoye, Steve Poltz, Sussex, Suzie Ungerleider, Talibah Safiya, Talisk, Taylor Rae, , Terra Spencer, The Arcadian Wild, The Armagh Rhymers, The Black Feathers, The Brother Brothers, The Burney Sisters, The Contenders The Faux Paws, The Fretless, The Heart Collectors, The Henry Girls, The Magpies, The McDades, The Rough & Tumble, The Small Glories, Tish Hinojosa, Twin Flames, Veronica Valerio, Waahli, and Wallis Bird.
Besides the juried official showcases and lots of private showcases, there will be a wide array of workshops and panel discussions, mentoring and peer sessions, keynoters, the International Folk Music Awards, a large exhibit hall, receptions and networking opportunities galore.
The theme of the 2023 conference, the world’s largest gathering of the folk music industry and community, is Facing the Future: Sustainability in Folk Music. “As we emerge from the survival mindset of the early 2020s, our attention turns to the horizon and the challenges – and opportunities – that lie ahead for our industry and community,” according to the Kansas city-based nonprofit organization that aims to serve, strengthen and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation and promotion. “Together, we’ll explore the intersection of individual excellence and collective strength and work to understand what must be dismantled and what must be built.”
For more information on Folk Alliance International and its annual conference, for which the advanced registration deadline is October 31, visit folk.org.
Editor’s Note: I am a member of the the Folk Alliance International board of directors but was not involved in the selection of official showcase artists.
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