FAI 2026: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
January 21-25, 2026
- FAI 2026
- Artists
- Attending
- partners
2025 Official Showcase Artists
Select an artist to hear their music and learn more about them!
Mitch King
Mitch King
Mitch King is a multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter whose captivating live shows blend Southern blues, folk & roots. From humble busking beginnings, his music has amassed over 80 million global streams, reflecting his extraordinary artistry.
Morgan Toney
Morgan Toney
Morgan Toney brings the fiery fiddling of Cape Breton Island blending with Mi'kmaq music and language to create a music he calls Mi'kmaltic.
Morganway
Morganway
Morganway, a multi-award-winning force in the thriving UK Americana scene, has etched anindelible mark with their distinctive six-part harmonies, vibrant rhythms, and irresistiblycatchy tunes.
NIkki D and the Sisters of Thunder
NIkki D and the Sisters of Thunder
Nikki D & The Sisters of Thunder is a multi-generational family-based group from Toledo, Ohio. Their unique style is Gospel with Blues riffs and grooves, all punctuated by Nikki D’s wildly soulful and electrifying steel guitar.
Nani Vazana
Nani Vazana
With a ship’s-horn power voice & irresistible stage presence, Eurovision winner Nani Vazana is one of the few Ladino songwriters worldwide. With lyrics on migration & gender her 1 woman show blends soulful trombone & heartbreaking piano playing.
Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas
Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas
Blessed with a 65th Grammy Awards nomination for his recording Lucky Man, Nathan Williams is a zydeco legend that has 4 decades under his hat as one of Southwest Louisiana’s most beloved Creole music pioneers and cultural ambassadors.
Nigel Wearne & The Spectres
Nigel Wearne & The Spectres
Nigel Wearne & The Spectres are a 5-piece with a retro vibe that smacks it straight back to the 60’s. Think after dark jazz club meets Ennio Morricone with a dose of soul; swathed with rambunctious horns, Gretsch guitar, drums and double-bass.
OKAN
OKAN
Charged with the profound power of their African ancestry. OKAN takes their name from the word for heart in the Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria fusing these Cuban roots with indie jazz, folk and global rhythms.
Ordinary Elephant
Ordinary Elephant
Ordinary Elephant's songs are timeless, rooted in rich, character-driven storytelling, and their live show is similarly transportive. You’ll hear the sound of sincerity and commitment, of patience and gratitude, of learning to let go of expectations.
Panorama Jazz Band
Panorama Jazz Band
Panorama Jazz Band has been bringing all sorts of music into all sorts of situations since the mid 90s, always with a strong New Orleans party vibe cultivated over years of entertaining locals and tourists alike in their native Crescent City.
Philip Bowen
Philip Bowen
Philip Bowen is a dynamic and engaging singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose sound is steeped in the rich traditions of his Appalachian roots. His sophomore album is titled \Appalachia Forever\
Pieta Brown
Pieta Brown
Hailed as a “self-styled poetess, folk goddess, and country waif” by the BBC, Pieta Brown has released multiple critically acclaimed albums with much attention paid to her distinct sound and style, and to the power of her singing and songwriting.
Pipo Romero
Pipo Romero
Spanish guitarist Pipo Romero blends flamenco, Atlantic folk, and contemporary acoustic music, crafting a unique instrumental voice with roots in tradition and emotionally rich compositions.
Quique Escamilla
Quique Escamilla
JUNO Award-winning Quique Escamilla brings soulful Latin American rhythms, rich storytelling, and masterful musicianship to the stage, blending tradition with innovation in an unforgettable live experience.
Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light
Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light
Fresh off their 2025 win at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival band competition, Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light are shaking up the bluegrass world with their fresh take on traditional music.
Rainbow Girls
Rainbow Girls
band. enigma. wet meat. song witches. sandwiches. A gang of sweet angels punching you in the heart.
Ramy Essam
Ramy Essam
Ramy Essam is an Egyptian rock musician & human rights defender best known for his powerful performances during the Egyptian Revolution. Ramy Essam uses his music to express his activism and address human rights issues. He lives in exile in FInland
Ranagri
Ranagri
With a reputation for captivating live performances, Ranagri has played major festivals & venues across Europe, earning critical acclaim for a fresh approach, evocative storytelling & exploring themes from folklore to social & environmental issues.
Rebecca Porter
Rebecca Porter
Rebecca Porter’s honey-smooth voice and fearless lyrics captivate audiences, while her identity and perspective subvert country music’s expectations, opening listeners’ minds to even more rich layers of Appalachian music.
Robby Hecht
Robby Hecht
Robby Hecht has toured extensively across the US and Europe for over 20 years and has won a number of revered performing songwriter contests. He's made numerous contributions to other artists' projects as a songwriter and featured vocalist.
Roswell Road
Roswell Road
With their own brand of rebelliously joyful Indie Americana, Roswell Road's harmony-drenched sound has drawn comparisons to First Aid Kit and Fleetwood Mac. Multi-instrumentalists Jasmine Watkiss and Zoë Wren share candid stories through their songs.
Ruth Theodore
Ruth Theodore
Theodore playfully pushes the boundaries of gender and genre with a sense of joyful rebellion, a touch of 1920s vaudeville theatre, and a healthy dose of punk rock attitude. Now signed to Ani DiFranco's Righteous Babe records and touring in the USA.
Ryan Young
Ryan Young
Award-winning Scottish fiddler Ryan Young brings powerful emotion and fresh invention to traditional music. A BBC Folk Award nominee, he’s earned global acclaim—his third album, a collaboration with Martin Hayes, is set for release this year (2026).
Ryanhood
Ryanhood
Named “Best Group/Duo” in the International Acoustic Music Awards. Audiences can expect airtight harmonies, explosive guitar/mandolin riffs, and a high-energy, highly-interactive performance - something they developed as street-performers at Boston’s
Sally Baby's Silver Dollars
Sally Baby's Silver Dollars
With a buzz at home that continues to grow, Sally Baby's Silver Dollars have a fresh take on New Orleans' famed vintage-R&B, Creole Jazz and retro-soul that has a leap into greater national consciousness poised on the group's eminent horizon.
Sandrine Masse
Sandrine Masse
Sandrine Masse explores atmospheric folk music rooted in her land. She incorporates the Wendat language into her music, continuing the cultural revitalization efforts of her Nation.
Sawyer Fredericks
Sawyer Fredericks
Sawyer Fredericks, hailing from a farm in New York, is known for his powerful, emotive vocals, personal storytelling, and soulful performances. His latest album explores his connection to nature, concern for the environment and need for social change
Sean Ardoin
Sean Ardoin
5x GRAMMY nominee Sean Ardoin is the creator of Kreole Rock and Soul—a high-energy fusion of zydeco, rock, and soul. A bold cultural voice, he’s bringing Louisiana’s Creole sound to the global stage
Sina Theil
Sina Theil
“A captivating performer” – Irish Music Magazine. Irish-based singer-songwriter Sina Theil has 26 Irish iTunes #1s, 4 Culture Ireland touring grants, 16.5k+ radio plays, and multiple awards. Writing songs since age 7, her music resonates worldwide.
Sophie Lukacs
Sophie Lukacs
Sophie Lukacs, Montreal's Hungarian-born kora innovator, creates original songs in 4 languages that bridge folk and West African Mandingue influences. Her debut album “Bamako” received the Global Album of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards in
Sparrow Smith
Sparrow Smith
Sparrow Smith, a multi-instrumentalist based in Marshall, NC, is well loved for her evocative songwriting, tasteful banjo playing, epic accordion chops, and striking style. Longtime leader of Resonant Rogues, she is stepping out under her own name.
Spencer LaJoye
Spencer LaJoye
Spencer LaJoye is making queer indie folk music for everyone. They are a coast-to-coast singer/songwriter and vocal looper artist with Midwest roots, and a classically-trained violinist with an inner theater kid’s love of group choreography.
Sturtz
Sturtz
NPR’s All Songs Considered described Sturtz as “a reassuring breath of fresh air that pulls me back to simpler times.\ The serene acoustic quartet just released their second studio album, Hyacinth, in September 2024.
Sweet Petunia
Sweet Petunia
Sweet Petunia are an alt folk duo based in Boston, MA. Over the years, the duo have grown into their own as both powerful songwriters and harmonizers as well as lightning quick players, beginning every set with explosive double banjo action.
Symbio
Symbio
- Cinematic Electro-folk Hearing this symphonic duo will make you doubt the fact that they are only two musicians on stage! The Swedish duo Symbio is a phenomenon – prepare for a mesmerizing, heartfelt and immersive live experience.
Taylor Rae
Taylor Rae
Taylor Rae is a genre-blending singer-songwriter crafting soulful, introspective songs rooted in Americana, folk, and blues. Her new album \The Void,\ produced by Grammy-winner Eric Krasno, dives deep into themes of growth, heartbreak, and healing.
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience
For 40+ years, Grammy award-winning, 8th generation Louisiana Creole, Simien has been redefining his Black roots genre to create a hypnotic sound, anchored by astonishing lead vocals and legendary live performances that inspire diverse audiences.
The Arun Ramamurthy Trio
The Arun Ramamurthy Trio
The Arun Ramamurthy Trio creates a groundbreaking fusion of South Indian Carnatic traditions and contemporary jazz, weaving masterful improvisations through ancient ragas and modern rhythms.
The Cody Sisters
The Cody Sisters
The Cody Sisters band is the very heart of contemporary acoustic music in the United States. Their propulsive instrumental solos and warm harmonies combine to grip the listener.
The Rebel Eves
The Rebel Eves
The Rebel Eves is an award winning Americana trio formed via connection, creativity, & empowerment. Their debut album, releasing in 2025, includes honest story-telling, hair raising harmonies, & compelling lyrics that have sold out shows for years.
The Rough & Tumble
The Rough & Tumble
The Rough & Tumble are a hardscrabble folk/Americana duo, made up of Mallory Graham and Scott Tyler. After living for a decade on the road, they now live in New Hampshire when they’re not on tour with their two big dogs.
The Rumble ft. Big Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr.
The Rumble ft. Big Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr.
Two-time Grammy nominees The Rumble honor Black Masking Indian culture, blending Mardi Gras funk, brass, and hip-hop. Led by Big Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr., they carry New Orleans tradition into the future.
The Steel Wheels
The Steel Wheels
Virginia-based indie folk-rock band, The Steel Wheels, has spent two decades crafting their own distinct style of American roots music. Renowned for their heartfelt lyrics, masterful musicianship, and astounding
The Wildwoods
The Wildwoods
The Wildwoods are a trio rooted in rich harmonies and heartfelt storytelling. Husband-and-wife duo Noah and Chloe Gose are joined by Andrew Vaggalis. They craft songs both intimate and expansive—tales of home, hope, and the open road.
Tray Wellington
Tray Wellington
Tray Wellington is redefining what’s possible with the banjo. A 2024 Steve Martin Banjo Prize winner and the 2019 IBMA Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year, Wellington approaches the five-string as a tool for sonic exploration.
Twang
Twang
Twang plays music with strong roots in the American folk music tradition. They add jazz, some hip hop inspired beats & a little R&B in the mix all the while paying close attention to honoring the tradition they come from.
Tyler Ramsey
Tyler Ramsey
Tyler Ramsey is an introspective singer-songwriter and masterful fingerstyle guitar player from Asheville, NC, who was a key member of Band of Horses for 10 years. His album \New Lost Ages\, produced by Phil Ek, marked a new creative milestone.
Veranda
Veranda
Veranda invites you to a bluegrass show rooted in folk and classic country. With high energy, emotion, and charm, their music takes you down winding roads where banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and guitar echo through mountains and rivers.
West Texas Exiles
West Texas Exiles
The West Texas Exiles’ style truly evokes the ghosts of southwest Americana. With influences from Buddy Holly and Neil Young to Lucinda Williams and Jason Isbell, they light up the stage with their performances, both acoustic and full-on electric.
Yellofox
Yellofox
Yellofox delivers soulful Folk-Americana with rich harmonies, acoustic grooves, and honest storytelling—songs for melancholic dreamers, naïve idealists, and tender bon vivants.
Zoé Basha
Zoé Basha
Zoé Basha is a musician, composer and carpenter based in Dublin, Ireland. Originally French-American, but with some pretty persistent travelling shoes, Basha blends folk, blues, jazz, americana and traditional Irish influences.
Árstíðir
Árstíðir
Known for their vocal harmonies Árstíðir blends Icelandic tradition with contemporary sounds. A viral performance of an Icelandic hymn in a train station, and years of international touring, has earned the band a devoted fanbase all over the world.
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