Folk Alliance International (FAI) has announced the first wave of Official Showcase artists for its 39th annual conference, set for January 27-31, 2027 in Chicago, Illinois.
The initial lineup includes more than 140 artists from 31 countries, 32 U.S. states and seven Canadian provinces. Organizers expect the final roster to exceed 160 performers.
The selection reflects FAI’s stated expansive definition of folk music.
Initial showcase lineup
Selected artists span a wide range of folk and roots traditions. The first slate includes:
- Alela Diane
- Emily Scott Robinson
- Erin McKeown
- American Patchwork Quartet
- Julian Taylor
- Raye Zaragoza
- Nat Myers (Korean-American blues poet)
- Susan Werner
- Amy Speace
- Sammy Brue
- Flamy Grant
- Carrie Newcomer
Other announced performers include Tuvan throat-singing group Alash, Latvian folk-pop ensemble Tautumeitas, Georgian polyphonic singers Trio Mandili, Colombian salsa sextet Las Guaracheras, Japanese taiko group Nagata Shachu and Yemeni psychedelic band El Khat.
The lineup also features Latin Grammy-nominated Making Movies, Chicago’s Sones de México Ensemble, Grammy-winning vocalist and violinist Mireya Ramos, blues guitarist Buddy Red and Texas guitarist Mathias Lattin.
Conference format and theme
The annual FAI conference serves as both a showcase event and an industry gathering, connecting artists with booking agents, venue operators, record labels, DJs, media companies and other music professionals.
The five-day program includes panels, workshops, presentations, networking sessions and professional development opportunities. Jury-selected performers appear in Official Showcases, while late-night Private Showcases turn hotel rooms into intimate performance spaces open to a much wider range of attendees.
The 2027 theme is “Hands In Solidarity,” inviting attendees to consider how musical communities can become systems of mutual support and collective action.
FAI’s programming stretches across Americana, blues, bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, global roots, hip-hop, spoken word, traditional music and numerous cross-cultural hybrids. A keynote speaker and additional Official Showcase artists will be announced at a later date.
