After many successes since it’s inauguration in 2022, Future Folk is back to support young emerging artists and performers hailing from Southwest Victoria. Young artists are invited to fulfil their dreams of performing on stage at the Port Fairy Folk Festival and sign up for the wonderful 2025 Future Folk Young Musician Development Program.
Future Folk is delivered in partnership with Moyne Shire Council’s FReeZA program, with funding provided by the Victorian Government. As part of the 2025 Port Fairy Folk Festival, Future Folk participants will work with established artists in one-on-one and group mentoring sessions before, during and after the festival.
The program provides a variety of activities suitable for individuals of all creative backgrounds. Its goal is to cultivate skills, build confidence, and foster connections among youth, enhancing their understanding of various musical elements while encouraging collaboration with peers. Whether you’re a singer, songwriter, musician, or part of a band, this is a unique opportunity for young creatives to acquire valuable skills from professional artists and gain experience performing before a festival audience.
Future Folk participants will receive a full 20-minute set performance on Fiddlers Green as part of an emerging artist showcase. They will be able to participate in a songwriters circle which involves a two-song performance on the main stage inside the festival arena. Additionally, the artists will also receive payment for their performances in line with industry standards.
The program has become a feature of the Port Fairy Folk Festival which aims to support young emerging musicians and ensure that they are provided with opportunities that support their growth within the Australian music community. Local musician Flynn Gurry, a participant in 2022, has seen significant career growth since his mentoring sessions with The Pierce Brothers, resulting in a national tour and recent performance at Triple J’s One Night Stand event in Warrnambool.
“Being part of the 2022 Future Folk program was such a huge opportunity for me! Thinking back to that time and there is no way I could have foreseen the doors it was going to open for me and my career. Whether it was through the mentoring sessions, or meeting all the other young emerging folk artists, all those connections as a result of this program have been instrumental in the development of myself as an artist!”
Apply HERE.
Future Folk participant conditions: All artists must be between the ages of 12-25.
Applications close 29th November 2025.
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© Port Fairy Folk Festival
For tens of thousands of years the Pyipgil Gundidj clan has gathered in ceremony on this country. Since 1977 the Port Fairy Folk Festival has been celebrated each year on the land of the Pyipgil Gundidj clans – on Peek Whurrong country. The Port Fairy Folk Festival pays their respects to elders past, present and emerging and acknowledges that the land we gather on each year for the Festival is the traditional lands of the Peek Whurrong people.
Don't Miss a Thing
© Port Fairy Folk Festival
For tens of thousands of years the Pyipgil Gundidj clan has gathered in ceremony on this country. Since 1977 the Port Fairy Folk Festival has been celebrated each year on the land of the Pyipgil Gundidj clans – on Peek Whurrong country. The Port Fairy Folk Festival pays their respects to elders past, present and emerging and acknowledges that the land we gather on each year for the Festival is the traditional lands of the Peek Whurrong people.