Folk Alliance sets record

Wednesday, February 21, 2018 – Folk Alliance International broke attendance records for a second straight year in its 30th year conference, held Feb. 14-18 in Kansas City.

A total of 2,750 people from 25 countries attended. The first conference in 1989 drew 130 people.

The conference included daily professional development panels and workshops, 180 nightly performances, more than 3,000 private showcase listening room sessions, 3,050 registered industry leaders, artists and media, and more than 1,000 first-timers.

"We couldn't be happier with the attendance, program, and response to our 30th conference. Our goals were to honor the past, celebrate the present, and firmly set course for the future; we met them in spades. Onward to Montréal in 2019," said Executive Director Aengus Finnan.

The International Folk Music Awards Show featured performances and appearances by Ruthie Foster, John Oates, Guy Davis, The Kingston Trio, and Anais Mitchell.

Guest speakers included Mary Chapin Carpenter, Richard Thompson and Oates.