Folk Alliance International (FAI) will host its 38th annual conference January 21–25, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The 2026 theme is Rise Up. The official showcase roster features more than 150 artists representing 34 countries.
Selected Highlights: Lost Bayou Ramblers; Bruce Sudano; Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience; Chuck Prophet; Pieta Brown; Ramy Essam; Emily Scott Robinson; Beth Nielsen Chapman; The Steel Wheels; Rainbow Girls; Tray Wellington (Steve Martin banjo Prize; 2019 IBMA Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year); Mamadou Diabate & Percussion Mania (balafon); Las Cafeteras; Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas; Emma Swift; Feng E; Great Lake Swimmers; Sean Ardoin; Jim White; Cary Morin Duo; Jason Ricci & Damon Fowler; Ordinary Elephant; Corey Ledet Zydeco & Black Magic; Doug MacLeod; OKAN; Angelique Francis; Las Guaracheras; Luke Winslow-King; Aysanabee.
FAI Executive Director Jennifer Roe noted the lineup’s local-to-global range and described the conference as a gathering point for a hopeful, international folk community.
FAI’s Mike Seeger Traditional Fellowship will be awarded to Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes—bandleader, accordionist, singer, harmonica player, songwriter, film actor, and ethnographic and environmental photographer. Barnes leads Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots, with a repertoire of more than 100 songs in Louisiana Creole and English. His work includes two co-authored books and ethnographic photo exhibitions centered on Louisiana culture and music. As Big Chief of the Afro-Creole Northside Skull and Bone Gang, he continues the 5 a.m. Mardi Gras “masked skeleton” tradition. In addition to his official showcase, he will present traditional practices and perspectives as part of the fellowship.
The FAI Conference is the largest annual convening of folk musicians and industry professionals worldwide. Programming includes:
- Official Showcases: More than 150 jury-selected artists on the conference’s largest stages.
- Private Showcases: Late-night, hotel-room performances hosted by organizations and individuals.
- International Folk Music Awards: Opening-night recognition of leaders, legends, and emerging talent.
- Summits: Multi-day convenings on legal issues, Black American music, and international Indigenous music.
- Keynote: A featured industry figure to be announced.
According to the Arts and Cultural Production Satellite Account (NEA and BEA), the U.S. arts and culture sector accounted for 4.2% of GDP in 2023, supported nearly 5.4 million jobs, grew at 6.6%, more than twice the overall U.S. rate—and contributed $1.2 trillion to the economy.
About Folk Alliance International
Founded in 1989 and governed by a 21-member board, FAI is the world’s largest membership organization for the folk music industry and community. Its mission is to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk community through preservation, presentation, and promotion. FAI values diversity, equity, inclusion, and access; maintains gender parity across programming; welcomes multiple languages and cultures; and actively supports participation from marginalized and underrepresented communities. FAI defines folk broadly as “the music of the people,” spanning Appalachian, Americana, blues, bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, global roots, hip-hop, old-time, singer-songwriter, spoken word, traditional, zydeco, and related fusions. The organization provides information, advocacy, education, and professional development to a community of more than 19,000 and oversees an IRS Group Exemption for 50+ U.S. nonprofits.
See the full list of official showcase artists: https://www.folk.org/conference/2026-official-showcase-artists
Author: World Music Central News Room
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