Award winning singer-songwriter Marcia Howard (Goanna Band) has graced the stage with many International artists over her long career. Her voice described as “one of the finest” (The Voice) and her songs recorded in Ireland, Nashville, and Australia reflect her Celtic and folk-rock influences. She features on, A Woman’s Heart- a decade on, singing her song, Poison Tree with Mary Black and on her recent Orchestrated CD. Marcia has released five solo albums.

Greg Arnold is best known for being the front man and songwriter from beloved Aussie folk-rock band Things Of Stone & Wood. The band’s top ten hit “Happy Birthday Helen” became a staple on Australian radio. In fact, it continues to get a spin and has even carved out its own space in the “new-school” world of streaming – quietly amassing over 5 million streams on Spotify.

At his core Greg Arnold is a songwriter and a musician. Whilst during his chart-topping hey-day he won an ARIA and was awarded an APRA songwriter of the year, he has never stopped making and being involved in music. He is a producer, a published author, an academic (earning a PhD in songwriting) and he is now releasing his fifth studio album In The Sky, recorded in Geneva, Switzerland with his European band The Suburban Daydreamers

Claire Anne Taylor grew up in Tasmania's ancient Tarkine rainforest, where she was born into her Father's hands in the family barn. Taylor and her five siblings were raised in a quaint bush home, rich with creativity and music. During her childhood, the Taylor barn was home to a family of Tasmanian Devils and some say that Taylor developed her unique, raspy singing style from nights spent listening to the devils growling beneath the floorboards.

ABC Radio's Joel Rheinberger described Claire Anne Taylor as 'the voice of Tasmania' and it is that voice with its soulful, velvet and world-worn quality that commands audiences to silence. With a distinctively emotive and powerful vocal ability that simultaneously expresses both an inner strength and a vulnerability, Taylor has garnered a reputation for her powerful live shows – tough and tender performances that see her develop an intimate rapport with fans.

"I laughed so much I had to make several adjustments" - Verity Prunes

When Pete Denahy talks about his his own show, he says, “It not rocket science; I’m not the best singer, fiddle player or guitar picker in the world, but as far as I know, no one else is doing my show.” Which is true; there isn’t another show like it. He takes you on a journey that travels from the gold rush days of the mid 19th century to buying toilet paper at your local supermarket. It’s perhaps not a show formula many managers would suggest their acts follow, but it seems to work for Pete. He blends fiddle tunes, bluegrass style original songs and madcap comedy to provide the audience with an escape from reality most of them feel is worth their while.

A cherished artist at Australian music festivals, Lucy Wise writes and sings about the often-untouched universals – things we’re often not allowed to feel and explore in the daily grind. Intermingling deep feeling with humour, Lucy guides the audience on a journey through themes of growing up, love, mental health, body image, rural life, beaches and bushlands. Lucy creates a rich and distinctive sound, drawing influence from a broad range of acoustic, roots and pop music and artists such as Joni Mitchell, Sufjan Stevens and Nick Drake. She accompanies her soulful vocals on an open-tuned guitar.

Back in 1994 Damian Howard and a collection of like-minded musicians first graced the stage at the Maldon Folk Festival in Central Victoria, north of Melbourne, Australia.

Since 1994 as the lead singer/ songwriter of one of Australia's iconic Celtic festival bands,' The Ploughboys', or with a successful folk-country solo career, Damian has continued to strive and grow in all things musical. Over the past 24 years, Damian has toured extensively throughout Australia and overseas, performing at many well-known venues and music festivals.

Half Light take a mixture of original and traditional folk tunes and songs and arrange them in new and exciting ways, drawing inspiration from both old and modern musical styles to weave a tapestry of rhythms, melodies and songs that will transport the listen to faraway lands at one moment and have their toes tapping and hands clapping at another.

Soaring flute and whistles, sonorous guitars, great songs and thumping rhythms take the music to unusual places. Two virtuoso players with a new slant on live folk music.

Daniel J Townsend is an AFMA-nominated songwriter and award-winning educator, poet, storyteller and creative facilitator, based in lutruwita/Tasmania. The creator of the very popular Midland Highway: The Musical, Daniel's recent crowdfunding success means he is currently creating his next record.

Tessa Lee is a jazz singer and multi-instrumentalist who has developed a rare melodic style and freedom in her songwriting. Soaked in folk and blues influences, Tessa's music is rich and luscious. Her debut album, "Warm Orange Glow," is a striking example of solid writing, great musicianship and emotional depth. Although it's been a long time between drinks, album number two is finally in the works.

Formed in 2018, the Jane Morris Quartet has now established a reputation as one of Tasmania’s premier Gypsy Swing groups. Fronted by vocalist Jane Morris and featuring David Squires (guitar), Charlie McCarthy (violin) and Isaac Gee (double bass).

The Jane Morris Quartet are all passionate fans of the Hot Club style of music, and since first appearing at the National Gypsy Jazz festival in 2012, they have been developing their style and sound all around Tasmania. They have recently recorded an album of Hot Club style standards along with original compositions in the Manouche style and this album will be available at the festival.

Overall their performance promises an immersive experience of harmonious Gypsy Swing nostalgia intertwined with new and original tunes.

Join us at the Mt Roland folk festival for an extraordinary 'Ask Me Anything' workshop with Charlie McCarthy, the Tasmanian-based violinist renowned for his versatile musical journey. From symphony orchestras to Celtic dance bands, he's done it all. Explore his incredible musical experiences and ask your burning questions in this unique session.

Liam Gubbins is a 27 year old Melbourne (Gub) is a Melbourne based producer and multi-instrumentalist who currently studies Jazz at the University of Melbourne.

From a young age, Gub has been heavily involved in music. Growing up music was always the central focus of daily life. Throughout high school, Gubbins played in multiple bands and studied music.

Gub now regularly performs a new live set developed in Naarm/Melbourne pushing conventional boundaries in an eclectic multi-instrumental mix blurring lines between alternative, RnB and electronica. He DJ’s around Melbourne and regional Victoria, record’s and produces for himself and other artists from his his studio in Yambuk, Victoria.

LJ Parks is an imaginative guitarist and singer-songwriter based in nipaluna/Hobart. The former Victorian turned Tasmanian is known for her powerful voice, dynamic guitar licks and playfully wry lyrics. A finalist for Best Youth Folk Artist of The Year in the Australian Folk Music Awards and winner of the Cygnet Folk Festival Youth Blackboard Competition, LJ is capping off a busy 2023 with a regional tour of folk festivals across the east coast of Australia. Her new EP All Caught Up is deeply nostalgic, co-produced by ARIA award winning artist/producer Monique Brumby and with performances from Dave Steel.

If the world was to end tomorrow, you would find Miah Aplin carefully packing her Takamine guitar into its case, rounding up her family and friends and gathering wood for one last evening of music around a fire. Miah loves to feel connected with others, and through her music this has materialised in an indie/folk form. She enjoys hunkering down with a cup of tea and listening to Chet Baker, or driving the coastal route home to get the end of the Missy Higgins album she’s been singing along to. Other artists Miah has been loving of late include Eloise, Lizzy McAlpine and Ben Abraham.

David “Odd socks” Wanless is a danceoholic from Hobart, Tasmania and dance caller for many Tasmanian bands and in many dance traditions. He has called dances from Mawson station in Antarctica to the National Folk Festival in Canberra as well as guest spots in the USA and Canada. He calls dances from many traditions including Contra, Irish ceili, Scottish ceilidh and country, English country, ceilidh and e-ceilidh, Renaissance, Regency, Klezmer, Balfolk, Steampunk, traditional and contemporary Australian including bush dances, Balkan, and his own compositions.

Lavender Lily is sharing the African Drum Fun Workshop - Drum yourself Joyful! Learn hand drumming techniques to hear the djembes sing.

The African rhythm in this workshop is accessible, playful and perfect for all levels of experience. Djembes available to borrow or bring your own.

The multi-layered Djembe and Dundun Rhythm learned in this workshop will be performed as part of the closing concert with the support of Women Who Drum.

Women Who Drum

Women Who Drum are playing as part of the opening and closing concerts.

Formed out of the ongoing weekly drumming workshop facilitated by Lavender Lily in Sheffield. This group has been playing together for two years, exploring African, World, and Improvised beats and rhythms. New drummer welcome on Tueadays.

One of the Guest Speakers this year will be local Claude Road resident, award winning landscape photographer Andrew Thomas. Andrew has spent the last three years working on a project to capture Tarinimari / Mt Roland Regional Reserve and Conservation Area in all it’s glory throughout the seasons. Numerous trips up and down the mountain has enabled him to compile an incredible and surprising collection of images that will show you that our beloved mountain is far more than the iconic profile we all know and love.

Andrew will also be sharing a preview of his upcoming book “Tarinimari / Roland”, due for release later in 2023.

Mountain Echoes is a vocal group based in the Kentish district of lutruwita/Tasmania. We are inclusive and caring, encouraging expressiveness & creativity, and we consider people more important than product. We have strengthened the immediate and broader community through the positive joy of making music.

Pathos-driven dark bluesy folk trio . Intense rhythmic grooves accompany melodic tales on modern life.

"Beautifully crafted songs delivered with integrity, finesse and power" (Matt Fell, producer - Fanny Lumsden, Sara Storer)

Sarah Rooks will lead yoga sessions on Saturday and Sunday mornings. If the weather is good the sessions will take place in the park.

Sarah has been living and sharing the joys of yoga for more than 20 years. Her sessions at Mount Roland Folk Festival are crafted to encourage deep connection with self, country and community.

Acclaimed Tasmanian duo Matthew Dames and Anna Talbot blend ethereal harmonies, intricate guitar work and pulsing bodhrán, transporting audiences to the lands of Celtic mythology and back home again. They have toured Australia and the UK playing major national and international festivals, including the Edinburgh Fringe.

Geoff Jones will bring a brand new band to the festival

‘Pipers Weird’

"A-buzz with rich harmonies of the music from yesteryear and today, Pipers Weird showcase Scottish smallpipes, the quieter mellow cousin of the Highland pipes. You'll be treated to bagpipes like you've never heard before from the lads, an offshoot of the Burnie Highland Pipe Band."

Heath is a highly regarded multi instrumentalist from Burnie Tasmania. He is stalwart of the Tasmanian Irish session scene.

At this year’s festival you will see Heath leading the Mount Roland Festival Ceili Band. All session players are encourage to join the band for the weekend. Heath will be workshoping the Ceili Band tunes on Saturday morning. Come on. join us for “The Craic”

"Session Players Tasmania was created to support Celtic session musicians across Tasmania and to nurture the next generation of trad players. During the MRFF weekend, we are facilitating traditional Celtic sessions. We are also holding a tune workshop to play through sets to be used in the Ceili. Anyone can turn up to this workshop, participation in the Ceili is optional. All are welcome. Find us via ‘Session Players Tasmania’ on Facebook, follow us for up to the minute session info."

Isaac Gee is a Hobart Based musician and songwriter

After being active in the Hobart music scene as a double bass player for nearly a decade, Isaac released his first album of original music. 'Falselight' is a collection of intimate, dynamic songs with the sensitive support of some of Hobart's finest improvisers. In 2019 a follow-up EP, 'Songs from Home' was released.

Isaac also continues to perform regularly in a number of jazz groups and at the festival this year he will be in demand! You will see him performing with Lucy Wise and The Jane Morris Quartet and possibly many other acts!