Conference Set for Jan. 27-31, 2027 in Chicago, IL with Theme Hands In Solidarity
Kansas City, MO and Chicago, IL (August 18, 2026) – Today, Folk Alliance International (FAI) – the leading and largest nonprofit which advances folk music and its communities by engaging, educating, and strengthening the global folk music ecosystem – has unveiled the lineup of Official Showcases for its 39th annual conference, to be held January 27-31, 2027, in Chicago, IL. The Over 140 artists represent 31 countries, 32 US states, and seven Canadian provinces, in a wide variety of styles of music of the people and will ultimately grow to 160-plus.
Photos of Official Showcase Artists
Qobuz playlist of Official Showcase Artists
Spotify playlist of Official Showcase Artists
Apply for credentials to attend the conference as press
Official Showcase Artists include:
The “spectacular voice” (Pitchfork) of Alela Diane, whose music UNCUT named among the 50 best singer-songwriter albums, saying, “insanely beautiful, with the strength and delicacy of spider silk”
Oh Boy Records artist Emily Scott Robinson, whose albums have made year-end best lists from NPR, Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, and No Depression
“Astonishing” (Washington Post) Tuvan throat singing masters Alash
GRAMMY nominees, the “innovative” (No Depression) American Patchwork Quartet
Erin McKeown, who has performed at Bonnaroo, Glastonbury, and the Newport Folk Festival
Tautumeitas, who represented Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest and whose songs have over 15 million Spotify streams
four-time JUNO Award-nominee Julian Taylor, who “has a disarmingly fluid vocal tone and an ability to convey the most internalized emotions — disappointment, grief, resolve, forbearance” (NPR Music)
The “eclectic blend of rumbero percussions, delicate organs and grungy fuzz rock” (Rolling Stone) of Latin GRAMMY-nominated Making Movies
Buddy Red, Atlanta blues guitarist with close to 3/4 of a million Instagram followers;
Trio Mandili, Georgian (the country) polyphonic traditional singers and a social media sensation with over 1 billion views
Powerhouse vocalist, intrepid songwriter, and drag queen Flamy Grant, winner of the 2023 Kerrville New Folk Competition
NPR Tiny Desk (home) Concert alum Raye Zaragoza, whom NPR called “a natural performer… working within the troubadour tradition of storytelling, but unafraid to deliver incisive social and political messages”
Korean-American blues poet Nat Myers, whose breakthrough album Yellow Peril was produced by Dan Auerbach
Chicago’s Sones de México Ensemble, which has specialized in Mexican “son” traditions over three-plus decades and has performed at the Getty Museum, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center
International Folk Music Award-winner Susan Werner, who “brings literacy and wit back to popular song” (The New Yorker)
the all-women Colombian salsa sextet Las Guaracheras, who have performed at Lincoln Center
Mireya Ramos and the Poor Choices, a groundbreaking collaboration that celebrates the rich musical traditions of the U.S.-Mexico border, blending Ranchera, Jarocho, Jazz, and Country, led by the GRAMMY-winning vocalist and violinist
Emmy Award-winning poet and singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer
Taiko (Japanese drum) performers Nagata Shachu
Amy Speace, who was personally signed by Judy Collins and of whom an NPR critic said, “Her velvety achy voice recalls an early Lucinda Williams
Cyrena Wages, who has toured in support of Hailey Whitters, Lucero, and Chaparelle;
The “glorious, ecstatic clatter” (Financial Times) of El Khat, which brings a funky, psychedelic reimagining to the traditional Yemeni songs
Sammy Brue, who was mentored by Justin Townes Earle and has played Newport Folk Festival and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and
Blues Foundation International Blues Challenge Best Guitarist winner Mathias Lattin, of Texas.
The conference’s theme in 2027 is Hands In Solidarity. Music has always been a collective act: a gathering of voices, stories, and shared experience. Hands in Solidarity invites attendees to move beyond connection into action. Solidarity is not a fixed idea, but an ongoing process: built through empathy, reflection, joy, and the courage to show up for one another.
In Chicago, a city shaped by movement, organizing, and creative exchange, FAI will explore how music communities become systems of support, and how those systems create lasting change. What begins as expression can become action. And what begins as music can become a movement. Hands in Solidarity is an invitation to gather, to listen, to create, and to participate in the work of solidarity — together.
Of the Official Showcase Artist slate, FAI Executive Director Jennifer Roe said, “During a time when connection matters more than ever, we are thrilled at the worldwide response to join us for the 39th annual conference. We aim to present a space where Hands In Solidarity can be practiced across cultures, across geographical barriers, whether someone comes from across the world or just a few stops on the L. There is so much musical richness for an attendee to discover!”
More About the Conference
The Annual Folk Alliance International Conference is the largest gathering of folk musicians and music industry professionals in the world. This is an experience like no other. Music is around every corner. Legends, rising stars, and industry innovators share career-boosting insights.
An international crowd of artists, venues, labels, DJs, agents, and organizations come together for five days of professional development, networking, and music.
The keynote address features an influential figure in the folk music industry who inspires us and shapes the narrative of the conference – in ways unexpected and magical. The Keynote Speaker for FAI 2027 has yet to be revealed.
Multi-day programming consisting of panels, workshops, presentations, summits, and networking sessions bringing together thought leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and artists to create meaningful dialogue benefitting the international folk music community.
Official Showcases highlight the best folk music in the world across a vast variety of genres. Over 150 jury-selected artists perform on the largest stages of our conference to an audience of venue bookers, agents, record labels, DJs, media companies, and more.
The crowd-favorite of every FAI Conference, Private Showcases give everyone an opportunity to perform. Late at night, hotel guest rooms transform into small stages with hundreds of performances hosted by different organizations.
Folk is the music of the people, reflective of any community they are from. It’s the banjo traditions that originated in Africa, it’s mariachi ensembles, and it’s electronic-infused fiddle tunes. We don’t limit folk to any one genre or group of instruments.
At its core, folk music is how people have shared their stories through time that have survived long enough to be sung generations later.
FAI programs a diverse array of sub-genres including, but not limited to Appalachian, Americana, Blues, Bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, Global Roots, Hip-Hop, Old-Time, Singer-Songwriter, Spoken Word, Traditional, Zydeco, and various fusions.
About Folk Alliance International
Founded in 1989, and governed by a 21-member board of directors, Folk Alliance International (FAI) is the world’s largest membership organization for the folk music industry and community. FAI advances folk music and its communities by engaging, educating, and strengthening the global folk music ecosystem.
Folk Alliance International envisions folk music as both a living tradition and a contemporary force, supporting artists, presenters, and cultural workers across traditions, geographies, and every stage of artistic and professional development. Through education, advocacy, and performance, Folk Alliance International fosters meaningful connections, supports sustainable creative livelihoods, and produces convenings and programs that elevate the artistic, cultural, and economic impact of folk music worldwide. We strive to be a trusted leader and partner within the music industry, supporting thoughtful growth while honoring the histories and communities that ground our work.
FAI values diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, is committed to gender parity in all its programming, celebrates multiple languages and cultures, and actively welcomes participation from marginalized, disenfranchised, and underrepresented communities.
Complete list of Official Showcase Artists
Adriano Sangineto · Alash · Alela Diane · Alexis Jade and the Gemstones · Alice Hasen & the Blaze · Alicia Kayley · Amber Rae Dunn featuring Mulberry Jam and special guest Anna Sharpe · Amelia Day · American Patchwork Quartet · Ammoye · Amy Speace · Ana Everling · Andy Rubal · Ani Mari · Anne Heaton Trio · Anthony da Costa · Ashley E. Norton · Avery R. Young & De Deacon Board · Bandits on the Run · Beauxmont · Bobby Alu · Braden Lam · BRÍDÍN · Buddy Red · Caamaño & Ameixeiras · Carrie Newcomer · Celeigh Cardinal · Crow and Gazelle · CRYS + The Fever Dreams · Cyrena Wages · Cécilia · Damir Imamović · Dead Goat · Debutants · Disterbenz · Divka · Doctor Nativo · Don Ross and Julie Malía · Dorsten · Duane Andrews and the Hot Club of Conception Bay · El Khat · Eliza Marshal · Emily Scott Robinson · Erin Mckeown · Ernest Aines · É.T.É · Farayi · Felicity Dowd · Flamy Grant · Floyd Mercantile · Fugu Dugu · Gabrielle Hope · Georgia Ruth · GoldenOak · Goldpine · Good Morning Bedlam · Great Aunt · Henry Wagons · High Horse · Hip Horns Brass Collective · How I Became A Wave · Humbletown · Imogen Clark · Jacques Surette · Jared Rabin · Javier Jara · Jenna Nicholls · Jimbo Scott · Jonavo · Julian Taylor · Julián Pujols Quall and Mamey · Junior Brother · Kate Prendergast · Keenya Creates · Keith Secola · Kelly Hunt · Ken Whiteley · Kim Yang · LaOx · Las Guaracheras · Le Diable à Cinq · Lennie Gallant · Louie Lou Louis · Lucy Clearwater · Making Movies · Mama Said String Band · Manuela Sánchez Goubert · Mathias Lattin · May Erlewine with Packy Lundholm · Michela Musolino with Rosa Tatuata · Mira Lazuli · Mireya Ramos and the Poor Choices · MoonShroom · Morganway · Mzaza · Nagata Shachu Japanese Taiko and Music Group · Nat Myers · Nikki D & The Sisters of Thunder · Noah Guthrie · Oakland Rain · On The Lash · On the Trail · Paula Boggs Band · Paula Fong · Polky · Polly Paulusma · Radio Free Honduras · Raye Zaragoza · Reg Meuross · Robin Barnes · Roisin Gowen · Rosalba Valdez · Ruth Theodore · RÜNO · Sam Robbins · Sam Shackleton · Sammy Brue · Saraswathi Ranganathan · Sariyah Idan · Shakura S’Aida · Shane Alexander · Sihasin · Sones de México Ensemble · Sophie Lukacs · South for Winter · Susan Werner · Tafa Mi Soleil · Tall Poppy String Band · Tautumeitas · The Clements Brothers · The Glass Hours · The Honey Badgers · The Lubben Brothers · The Pairs · The Pegwells · The Rebel Eves · The Sullivan Sisters · The Texpats · Timbreroots · Trio Mandili · Tuvergen Band · TÁR · Vance Gilbert · Vincent Schmidt · Whorled · Will Varley · Zoë Aqua
