Folk Alliance International Announces 39th Annual Conference in Chicago, Showcasing 160+ Global Artists

The Folk Alliance International (FAI) has announced that its 39th annual conference will take place from January 27 to 31, 2027, at the Hilton Chicago on 720 S. Michigan Avenue. The event is scheduled to host more than 140 artists from 31 countries, 32 U.S. states, and seven Canadian provinces, with the official showcase lineup expected to grow to over 160 performers.

FAI, founded in 1989 and governed by a 21‑member board, is the world’s largest membership organization for the folk music industry. Its annual conference is the largest gathering of folk musicians, venues, labels, agents, and industry professionals worldwide. The 2027 conference will feature five days of professional development, networking, panels, workshops, and summits, as well as official and private showcases.

The official showcase program includes a wide range of artists across folk sub‑genres. Singer‑songwriters Alela Diane, Emily Scott Robinson, Erin McKeown, Susan Werner, Carrie Newcomer, Raye Zaragoza, Julian Taylor, and Amy Speace are among the highlighted performers. Rising roots artists Nat Myers, Sammy Brue, and Cyrena Wages also appear on the lineup.

International acts add depth to the program. Tuvan throat‑singing masters Alash, Japanese taiko ensemble Nagata Shachu, and Georgian polyphonic group Trio Mandili represent Eastern traditions. European roots are reimagined by Latvia’s Eurovision representatives Tautumeitas and Yemen‑inspired collective El Khat. Latin and blues traditions are highlighted by the Latin Grammy‑nominated fuzz‑rockers Making Movies, Colombian salsa sextet Las Guaracheras, Grammy‑winner Mireya Ramos, the Poor Choices, and Chicago’s Sones de México Ensemble. The Grammy‑nominated American Patchwork Quartet, blues guitarist Buddy Red, IBC Best Guitarist Mathias Lattin, and Kerrville New Folk Competition winner Flamy Grant also feature.

The conference theme for 2027 is “Hands In Solidarity.” According to FAI, the theme encourages attendees to move beyond connection into action, emphasizing empathy, reflection, joy, and courage. The city of Chicago, known for its history of organizing and creative exchange, is positioned as a fitting backdrop for exploring how music communities can become systems of support and create lasting change.

FAI’s programming includes a keynote address by an influential figure in the folk music industry, though the speaker has not yet been announced. The conference will also host private showcases, a unique feature that allows all registered attendees to present performances in hotel rooms. These intimate sets are a staple of FAI conferences and provide opportunities for emerging artists to perform before industry professionals.

Membership in FAI offers access to a global directory, industry resources, and eligibility for grants, official showcases, awards, and Grammy submissions. The organization emphasizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, and it strives for gender parity in all programming.

FAI’s 2027 conference is expected to attract a broad audience of artists, presenters, and cultural workers from across the folk music spectrum. The event will provide a platform for networking, professional development, and the celebration of folk music as both a living tradition and a contemporary force.

The conference is open to registration through FAI’s website, and interested parties can learn more about the event, program, and registration options at folk.org.