For the first time in six years, and after a visit to Montreal in 2025, the annual music conference Folk Alliance International (FAI) returned to New Orleans last week. The event took over the city’s Sheraton Hotel, whose floors were filled with showcase rooms that ran until the early hours of the morning.
Seven Australian artists officially showcased this year for the thousands in attendance: Charlie Needs Braces, Emma Swift, Ernest Aines, Georgia Mooney, Imogen Clark, Mitch King and Nigel Wearne and The Spectres. Each enjoyed a performance on one of the main stages, and at least one performance in the Sounds Australia Private Showcase Room on the 9th floor of the hotel.
On the Wednesday, the Australian artists and industry in attendance joined us for an invite-only luncheon – a chance to meet each other and other industry in town for the event – ahead of the official start of FAI that evening. Thursday night, our private showcase room hosted three In The Round sessions, ahead of two nights of 30 minute showcase sets in front of intimate and attentive crowds.
On the final night, we closed out with a special two hour “Country Connections” jam session, featuring Imogen Clark, Ernest Aines, Georgia Mooney and Mitch King with special guests from Canada, Ireland and The Netherlands. It made for some truly memorable and once-in-a-lifetime collaborations as the clock went past 3am.
Thanks to everyone who joined us in Room 911 across the week and we hope to see you in Chicago next year!
