The Philadelphia Folk Festival, now in its 47th year, is getting a face lift. A mix of familiar superstars and artists with a younger appeal will perform. Organizers of the Philadelphia Folk Festival, to be held at the Old Pool Farm near Schwenksville, PA Aug. 15-17, have brought Rich Kardon and Jesse Lundy of Point Entertainment on board to book this year’s lineup.
“Our core audience has continued to age… even though we have a tradition to uphold, it has to get younger to survive,” WXPN-FM DJ Gene Shay, host of the 47-year-old event and the godfather of the Philadelphia Folk scene, said in a statement.
Among this year’s top attractions are Steve Earle, Allison Moorer, The Felice Brothers, Great Big Sea, Kathy Mattea, Compadres (Oscar Lopez and James Keelaghan), The Lee Boys, Beausoleil, Jake Shimabukuro, Kimya Dawson, Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, Espers, Terrance Simien, Hoots & Hellmouth, David Massengill, The Refugees, Vinx, The Strangelings, Tempest, Trout Fishing in America and Ryan Montbleau.
Longtime folk festival favorites such as Judy Collins, Janis Ian, Al Stewart, and Tom Paxton will also hit the Main Stage. In all, more than 50 folk, blues, alt-country, bluegrass, indie folk-rock, world and roots artists will be providing more than 55 hours of music.
Exclusive to All-Festival Camping Ticket holders, there will be a Thursday night concert on the Camp Stage where legendary World Cafe host David Dye will welcome alt-country-rock siblings, The Felice Brothers, and singer-songwriter Kimya Dawson, recently heard on the “Juno” soundtrack, for an evening of enlightened conversation and phenomenal music.
The Philadelphia Folk Festival is not just about music. There is a selection of attractions for the kids, especially in Dulcimer Grove, the shady area between the Crafts Stage and the Camp Stage, where puppeteers, jugglers, storytellers, hands-on crafts and kid-oriented musicians offer hours of entertainment for the 12 and under set. Older kids, 12-16, will again be eligible for the special “youth ticket” allowing them into the grounds for half the regular gate price when accompanied by an adult.