Record numbers flocked to the Woodford Folk Festival over the festival’s 6 days making the 30TH Anniversary the ‘biggest and best ever festival’. Festival Founder and Director, Bill Hauritz explained that the Festival received a record attendance of 126,996 people through the gates, translating to $6.15M in box office sales and a growth of 8% from the previous year.
“Our expectations were definitely exceeded” Mr Hauritz commented “We challenged ourselves to rethink the entire Festival layout and venues. With the changes came an entirely fresh visual look to the Festival, and from the tremendous feedback we are getting it’s without question our best received ever”.
Mr Hauritz also added that festival crowds enjoyed excellent weather throughout with pleasant warm days and cool evenings. The standout programme included feature shows by Michael Franti (USA), Courtney Barnett and a surprise pop-up set by popular UK singer-songwriter Passenger who was visiting the Festival whilst on holiday in Australia. Mr. Hauirtz also pointed out that the Festival also gained a degree o f national attention during the week as Australian political icons Noel Pearson and former Prime Minister, Bob Hawke initiated conversations on Indigenous Constitutional Recognition, and Australia’s future.