Internationally renowned female performers Rhiannon Giddens and Mary Black will headline the 2016 Blue Mountains Music Festival of Folk, Roots And Blues.
Festival organisers announced the artist line-up for the festival, held in Katoomba from March 18-20, this week.
Giddens, former lead singer of African-American folk interpreters Carolina Chocolate Drops, will appear with her new band. One of the brightest rising stars in music today, Giddens undoubtedly stole the show at the T Bone Burnett-curated Another Day, Another Time concert in 2013 - a celebration of the early '60s Folk revival at New York City's Town Hall.
The festival is also thrilled to be present legendary Irish singer Mary Black on her Last Call Australian tour as she brings the curtain down on her overseas touring. For more than a quarter of a century, Black has been a dominant presence in Irish music, both at home and abroad. She has released 11 studio albums all of which achieved platinum sales status and spawned countless hits. Joining her on the tour and at the festival is her talented daughter Roisin O, who is beginning to make waves in the vibrant Irish folk scene herself.
The 21st festival will be present a record number of international artists from nine different countries; music fans will be able to experience 22 outstanding acts from Ireland, Canada, Gambia, Fiji, Japan, United States, Scotland, Greece (Crete) and Italy.
Take the opportunity to hear some of the world's finest newer performers like the hip Irish band Moxie, violin innovator Jaron Freeman-Fox from Canada, Fijian funkster Knox and his band The Young'uns from the UK, Juno folk award winners The Once from Canada, their fellow Canadian, roots and reggae act Buckman Coe, Japanese ravers Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro and striking newcomer Z-Star from the UK.
Also featured over the weekend will be Colin Hay with his new Cuban band, Luka Bloom, Kutcha Edwards, Shellie Morris, Steve Poltz, BBC folk award winners Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin, The Rambling Boys, the Cretan lute and percussion duo Xylouris White, Truckstop Honeymoon, Gambian music trio Jaaleekaay, guitar duo Tony McManus and Beppe Gambetta, new indigenous quartet Yarwah, Dave Gunning, the gypsy jazz of La Mauvaise Reputation, Anne McCue, Mzaza, The Beez, David Spry, The Rumjacks, Matty T Wall, The Morrisons, Kaurna Cronin, The Raglins, King Curly, The Child Ballads, The Sadie Sisters and the Wagana Dancers.
As well as all this music, there will be the Heartlands Conversation, the Poets' Breakfasts, children's entertainment and activities, and a vast array of food and craft stalls.
Tickets for the 2016 BMMF are on sale now from the festival website at www.bmff.org.au, with specially priced earlybird tickets on sale until December 31.
