A brilliant line-up of talent is coming to the 21st Koroit Irish Festival. There is something for everyone in our selection of performers to ensure everyone has a great time in Koroit and comes back for more. Check out here who is coming and make sure to book your ticket early.
(Click here for the full Koroit Irish Festival Official Program 2017 (PDF) )
DAMIEN LEITH
The brilliant Damien Leith will make a return to Koroit in 2017. This outstanding performer has been thrilling crowds for over a decade and he will again be a star of the Koroit Irish Festival with an hour-long show on Saturday April 30 from 6pm in the Koroit Theatre.
JIMEOIN
One of Australia’s best comedians and favourite Irishmen is coming to Koroit where he will play a one-hour show on Friday April 28 at the Koroit Theatre. He will also take part in a one-on-one interview on the night as part of his role as the 2017 Koroit Irish Festival Ambassador.
ZEON
One of the most exciting young Irish bands in Australia, Zeon are established stars in Melbourne and can’t wait to play at the Koroit Irish Festival. Zeon bring incredible energy to the stage and will have the crowd up and dancing.
KNOT O’ THE GATE
We are very excited to make our first performer announcement for the 2017 Koroit Irish Festival. Melbourne band Knot O’ The Gate will make their Koroit debut. They are regulars at the Celtic Club Melbourne and will be a huge addition to our great festival.
BHAN TRE
We are very excited that Bhan Tre is coming to Koroit to be part of our 21st birthday party. Bhan Tre have long been a Koroit Irish Festival favourite and their performances in 2017 will be highly anticipated.
MARIA FORDE
Our 2015 festival Artist of the Year Maria Forde will be back, playing Saturday at the festival arena and on the Sunday at the Infant Jesus Church.
OLD MELBOURNE ROAD
Old Melborune Road are a six piece band hailing from Ballarat. They play a mixture of Australian and Irish folk music and the bands philosophy is mandatory craic for all who come to see. They are a family band steeped in Irish heritage consisting of brothers John and David Murphy, Johns son Lachlan, their nephew Sean Carragher and cousins Paul Britt and Brendan Spratling. They love playing at Koroit.
CILL AIRNE
One of the best traditional Irish groups in the country, Cill Airne have a wealth of talent that is shown out in their high quality performances. Cill Airne put their own spin in some classic Irish tunes and are an authentic and most loved part of the Koroit Irish Festival family.
THE LIKELY CELTS
TOMMY, TUDDY AND MICK
This trio of Tommy Brooks, Frank “Tuddy” Bowman and Mick Morgan have been regulars at the Koroit Irish Festival since it began in 1997. Legends of the local music scene, their Irish ballads and on stage energy make them a crowd favourite that remain as popular today as they did when they first graced the stage all those years ago. Were named as the Koroit Irish Festival Artists of the Year in 2014.
KAYLA DWYER
Koroit’s very own shooting star. Kayla Dwyer is making some serious headway in her musical career having performed at Tamworth as well as a knockout show at last year’s Koroit Irish Festival. Be prepared to be blown away by this exciting local talent as she hits the stage in her home town.
O’SHEA RYAN DANCERS
THE COMMON
THE SIMPSON THREE
The Simpson Three are a trio of siblings who perform predominantly Irish music, with a few interesting flavours!They are highly talented multi-instrumentalists who perform tight and refined arrangements of trad and contemporary tunes and songs. Their show will have you laughing along at hilariously terrible sibling rivalry one second, and then will have your toes tapping along to crankin’ tunes the next! They are winners of the FAA Youth Award, Peter J Daly Award and Declan Affley Awards for excellence in Traditional Irish Music.
SINCE TUESDAY
A brilliant four-piece band from Portland who continue to make a name for themselves with original tunes and outstanding covers. Since Tuesday won the Beks Bowman Emerging Talent Award at the Koroit Irish Festival in 2015.
TIOSAV JOY
Its members come from Koroit, Warrnambool and Mailors Flat, making them one of the most exciting young bands coming out of South West Victoria. Brilliant vocals and musicianship make them a must-see with the band working hard on adding an Irish-tint to their tunes for the Koroit Irish Festival.
NICK ALEXANDER
Nick Alexander is a 22-year-old musician and a rising star of the south-west’s music scene. He has played throughout Warrnambool and surrounding suburbs in his band Altered Minds over the past three years. Throughout that time, he has also played solo acoustic gigs and events on the side.
GABBY STEEL
Gabby Steel is a 17-year-old who has always had a passion for music and being on stage. Though she enjoys performing a variety of music, the old classics that get you singing and tapping your toes are her favourites to play. She has played guitar and piano for the past nine years.
DREAM SEASON
Dream Season are Susan Malikoff and Katrina van Someren, secondary students from Warrnambool sharing their love of music with the south-west. Although young, they are quickly gaining recognition and creating a name for themselves as an emerging band in the local music scene. They have played at intimate venues like cafes and restaurants, as well as larger events such as the Port Fairy Folk Festival, performing a wide range of acoustic covers from Coldplay to Bring Me the Horizon. Playing a variety of instruments such as guitar, keyboard and ukulele, Dream Season also enjoy writing and performing their own songs.
ANGELA KENNA AND KEELAN MAST
This dynamic duo have teamed up to creative some memorable music and performances in 2017. Both talented performers in their own right, Angela and Keelan are planning to give Koroit Irish Festival patrons a show to remember.
TONGUE TIED
Tongue Tied is a Warrnambool based singing, song writing pop and soul duo, Indie and Hudson Buckle, who craft and soulfully sing covers, with flecks of originals.