The annual conference is the world’s largest gathering of the folk music industry and community crossing a diverse array of genres including Appalachian, Americana, Blues, Bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, Francophone, Global Roots, Hip Hop, Indigenous, Latin, Jazz, Old Time, Traditional, Singer-Songwriter, Spoken Word, Zydeco, and every imaginable fusion.
The annual January conference draws 2,700 artists and industry (agents, managers, publishers, labels, festival/venue presenters, promoters, media) dedicated to folk music. Delegates who attended the 2018 conference represented 27 countries including Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and Yemen.
2020's conference takes place in New Orleans from January 22nd to 26th.
Application deadline is July 15th Artists that apply for official showcases are also eligible for first-time attendee scholarships and lower registration rates. Network with hundreds of festivals, venue bookers, agents, managers, media, and music industry reps that attend. FAI’s Official Showcases are 180 jury-selected nightly concerts featuring emerging artists and touring legends from around the world. Each showcase is a 30-minute set on a full production stage with lighting and sound.
Previous NZ showcasing artists include Mel Parsons, Delaney Davidson, Anika Moa, Māmā Mihirangi & The Māreikura, Albi & The Wolves and Marlon Williams.
For more information, visit folkconference.org.