Spotlight: Auckland Folk Festival 2025 ft. C.W. Stoneking, Adam McGrath, Charm Of Finches, Pony Baby + More

Arising from humble roots as a 1973 'Folk Gathering' and now hosting annually a bountiful array of acts from all around Aotearoa and beyond, the Auckland Folk Festival is one of Tāmaki Makaurau's longest running musical traditions. Returning to its pastoral home for more than thirty years the Kumeu Showgrounds this summer, the festival's 51st edition invites attendees along for a full spectrum of folk performances, inclusive dance and craft workshops (for all levels of experience), food trucks and lots more, from 24th to 27th January (Auckland Anniversary Day) 2025.

The whopper twenty eight strong lineup features numerous special guests from overseas, including Australian blues-songwriting star C.W. Stoneking, Naarm / Melbourne chamber-folk duo Charm of Finches aka sisters Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes, Australian Folk Music Award winning Celtic folk-fusion four-piece Austral, UK duo Rain Of Animals aka Pepita Emmerichs (Oh Pep!) and Theodore Barnard (Wire & Wool), Lutruwita / Tasmania folk-punk Hannah Morrell, Australian "gypsy jazz" collective Fortino Trio, Irish fiddle / guitar duo the Barleyshakes, and US / Aotearoa banjo / guitar twosome BB & Alex.

The local contingent is of course top quality too, including 2024 Best Folk Artist-winning pillar of Ōtautahi's community Adam McGrath (The Eastern), LIVE MUSIC BAR guest stars Pony Baby aka Jazmine Mary and ARAHI (Rongomaiwahine), Ōtepoti folk-country duo Tall Folk aka Lara Robertson and Jack Ringhand, HINA aka songwriter / multi-instrumentalist Amy Boroevich (Te Rarawa, Ngāti Raukawa), Tess Liautaud playing with Jessie Rose Shanks, Tom Rodwell (Storehouse), Celtic music practitioner Rennie Pearson, Tāmaki guitar-pop five-piece Marmalade, and lots more. Festival-goers of all ages will be spellbound by the iconic Suzy Cato's specially curated Kids' Programme, children's songwriter Claudia Robin Gunn, Simon Stanley (Tattletale Saints) and more.

The bustling programme also includes Best Country Music Song Award winner Holly Arrowsmith participating in a one-off "songwriter speaks" event. Keep in the loop for more updates by following their Instagram page HERE, head over to the official website for more details HERE and check out the full musical bill below...

The 2025 Auckland Folk Festival
Friday 24th January to Monday 27th January - Kumeu Showgrounds, Auckland

Featuring... Adam McGrath, Austral (AUS), The Barleyshakes (AUS/IRE), Basant Madhur Ensemble, BB & Alex (USA/NZ), Charm of Finches (AUS), Claudia Robin Gunn, C.W. Stoneking, Ethno NZ Pop Up, Fortino Trio (AUS), Hannah Morrell (AUS), Hina, Krissy Jackson, Lizzie Flynn & the Runaway Trains (AUS), Marmalade, Medena Ensemble, OrigiNZ, Pony Baby, Rain of Animals (SCO/AUS), Rasoul Abbasi Ensemble, Rennie Pearson, SAJA, Sammy Leary, Simon Stanley, Suzy Cato, Tall Folk (USA/NZ), Tess Liautaud & Jessie Shanks (US/NZ), Tom Rodwell

Tickets and more info available at www.aucklandfolkfestival.co.nz

Hit play on 'The Zombie' from C.W. Stoneking's 2016 album Gon' Boogaloo...

Here's Pony Baby's whimsical 'I Think I'm Falling In Love' from their 2024 self-titled debut album...

Watch the video for 'Clean Cut' from Charm of Finches's 2024 album Marlinchen In The Snow...