Folkies Flock To New Orleans For Folk Alliance International Conference [Photos/Videos]

There are music festivals. There are music industry conferences. Then there’s Folk Alliance International.

Held January 21st–25th at the Sheraton Hotel in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter, FAI is an experience that defies easy categorization. It’s geared toward music industry professionals and artists—offering unparalleled networking opportunities with managers, agents, festival talent buyers, promoters, and venue operators—but for the music lover who appreciates folk music in its broadest definition, it might deliver more value and discovery than any traditional festival. The price of admission isn’t cheap, but what you get in return is extraordinary.

Consider the math: Most music festivals feature a handful of stages with maybe a few late-night options. Folk Alliance features hundreds of performances happening simultaneously across multiple days and nights. During the day, there are enlightening panels exploring every facet of the music industry and folk traditions. Come evening, official showcases fill large conference rooms with performances on numerous stages. Then, when the official showcases end around 10 p.m., the real magic begins: several floors of the hotel transform into an endless labyrinth of “private showcases,” with performances in virtually every hotel room—each thoughtfully curated—extending until the wee hours of the morning.

The sheer abundance means you necessarily miss incredible performances. It’s impossible to experience it all, and that’s part of the beauty. Fortunately, most artists perform multiple times, giving you chances to catch everyone you want to see, but even that becomes an exercise in discipline—do you see your favorites again, or discover someone new? The discovery is often the most rewarding part.

The Awards and the Artists

The conference kicked off Wednesday night with the International Folk Music Awards ceremony, where I’m With Her (Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O’Donovan) tied with Carsie Blanton for Artist of the Year and also won Album of the Year for Wild and Clear and Blue—their second Album of the Year win. Crys Matthews took home Song of the Year for “Sleeves Up”, her third IFMA award. The inaugural Global Folk Album Award went to The Baltic Sisters for Värav / Vārti / Vartai. Lifetime Achievement Awards honored five-time GRAMMY winner Taj Mahal, zydeco originator Clifton Chenier (whose son C.J. Chenier performed on his father’s favorite accordion), and Louisiana Folk Roots. Yasmin Williams received The Rising Tide Award, while Kyshona earned The People’s Voice Award. The Rumble featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux, Jr. served as the house band for an evening that set the tone for what would follow.

International Folk Music Awards 2026

Rise Up

This year’s conference theme was “Rise Up,” honoring the political consciousness that has always run through folk music’s veins. That theme took on profound resonance when Alex Pretti was killed by ICE officers on Saturday. The Folk Alliance community responded by gathering in the hotel lobby for a powerful community singalong—a reminder of music’s role in collective mourning and resistance.

The theme permeated the programming, from a presentation about Woody Guthrie to the keynote conversation with New Orleans icons Big Freedia and Tarriona “Tank” Ball of Tank and the Bangas. The two artists spoke movingly about growing up in New Orleans, the beauty and tragedy of their hometown, and how their art emerged from the city’s vibrant culture. Tank lamented how, even 20+ years after Katrina, some neighborhoods still look like the hurricane hit them yesterday. Big Freedia mentioned owning 50 “rest in peace shirts” and reflected on her experience in homophobic church culture: “God knew me before I knew myself… God is the ultimate judge.” They discussed canceled tours and lost gigs due to DEI backlash, but as Tank said, they continue to “stay prayed up” and spread positivity. Freedia also announced a remix of her song “Celebration” featuring Queen Latifah, which dropped on her birthday.

Keynote: In Conversation with Big Freedia and Tarriona “Tank” Ball

The spirit of New Orleans was felt throughout the weekend. The Rumble‘s riveting Saturday night showcase had the crowd on their feet dancing like it was Mardi Gras, bringing the city’s second-line tradition to life.

Conversations and Community

Daytime programming included dozens of panels and conversations exploring everything from Indigenous folk traditions to the future of folk radio. Indie folk duo The Milk Carton Kids appeared in conversation with acclaimed music journalist Ann Powers, delivering a funny and entertaining session while showcasing their breathtaking harmonies.

Photo: James Sissler – The Milk Carton Kids in conversation with Ann Powers

A legal summit on Friday, hosted by the American Bar Association’s Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries, provided valuable information for both practicing entertainment lawyers and artists navigating the industry’s complexities, while an assortment of affinity group sessions offered opportunities to connect with fellow music-lovers and industry professionals in intimate group settings.

The Showcases

The official showcases delivered powerhouse performances across multiple stages throughout the conference. There were rooms sponsored by the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame, Culture Ireland, Black American and International Indigenous Music Summits, the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development, and Wasserman Music. Saturday’s highly anticipated Madison House showcase, hosted by Bay Area concert promoter KC Turner, featured an incredible roster from the renowned management and booking agency, including songwriting treasure Steve Poltz, who wove hilarious stories between songs from his new album JoyRide (including one about buying a set of Funk & Wagnalls encyclopedias from Jesus Christ); the luminous Anna Moss, whose soulful performance had people dancing in the aisles; Rainbow Girls, who packed the house; and Banshee Tree, who closed the showcase with an invigorating set of high-powered indie folk.

The Late-Night Magic

In the inverse of regular festivals—which typically have limited late-night options—the hotel came alive after hours with hundreds of private showcase performances. The Bose Lounge, curated by KC Turner, was the place to be if you could snag a seat, but it was never guaranteed, with eager fans spilling out into the hallway. Other rooms offered rare chances to see major artists and up-and-comers in spaces so small that calling them “intimate performances” would be an understatement. The Milk Carton Kids played a tiny late-night private showcase, while the Cody Sisters—who returned after making a splash at last year’s conference in Montreal—performed several private showcases throughout the weekend. The rooms often got warm, cramped, and cozy—sometimes filling to capacity—but if one room was packed, there were always other amazing options to explore. The late-night showcases featured rounds of political songs, “Fuck ICE” chants, emotional tributes to John Prine and Todd Snider, and countless discoveries.

Throughout it all, the international scope of the conference became clear, with artists like Cheikh Ibra Fam from Senegal reminding attendees that folk music is a global conversation.

Folk Alliance International isn’t just a conference or a festival—it’s an immersive experience in a community bound by the belief that music matters, that it carries both grief and joy, and that it rises up when we need it most. If you appreciate folk music and want to discover your next favorite artist while experiencing an event unlike anything else, start planning for Chicago in 2027.