Shanty singers to come from far and wide for Albany International Folk ‘N’ Shanty Festival

The wait is almost over for the Albany International Folk ‘N’ Shanty Festival after it was postponed in July as a result of COVID-19 uncertainty.

The Albany Shantymen will bring the only folk and shanty festival in the southern hemisphere to venues across Albany from October 1-3 with the help of some of Australia’s top shanty talent.

International shanty acts will also lend their pipes with performances streamed to venues across the weekend.

The festival comes after a whirlwind month for The Albany Shantymen, who featured on television screens across the country as they waged a campaign to perform at Saturday’s AFL grand final.

Their campaign was successful, with the group set to entertain crowds as they enter the gates at Optus Stadium.

Next week’s International Folk ‘N’ Shanty Festival is a free, non-ticketed event which aims to bring together the community and musicians in a weekend of dancing, singing and storytelling celebrating maritime history.

After securing more than 50 acts from across the world for the July festival, The Albany Shantymen member John Henderson said it was a difficult decision to put their original plan on the backburner.

“With the Eastern States borders still closed, we have had to scale everything back a little, but I think we are presenting a great festival and we’re just looking forward to meeting up with friends old and new and having a bloody good sing,” he said.

Henderson said the festival would attract groups from across WA.

“As well as established acts such as The Lost Quays and She Shants from Fremantle and the Fo’c’s’le Firkins, we will have new and upcoming artists,” he said.

“There will be world-class folk musicians such as Rob Zielinski, a folk dance event with Last Five Coins, and Aussie legend Ted Egan will be making an appearance at the festival.

“And, for the first time we will have international acts streamed on to big screens at these venues.”

For details, visit shantyfest.com.