What is HOBOFOPO?
Well, it’s a volunteer-run, 3-day, folk-punk, gig-crawl around nipaluna. 2016-2026 = happy barfday to us!
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HOBart’s Original FOlk Punk Orgy are proud to announce 2026 festival dates and first round announcement of acts for the 10th anniversary of their much loved folk-punk gig-crawl.
From 13-15th November (plus expect some kick-ons on Monday 16th), you can catch all of your favourite; celtic-punk, anti-folk, acoustic punk, ratbag bluegrass, and any other subgenre that fits between folk and punk – in nipaluna/Hobart.
HOBOFOPO are dropping an early announcement of some of their favourite past acts, who will be on this years’ lineup, and making it feel like one great big family reunion. Six of these acts were there at day dot, for the inaugural HOBOFOPO 11-13 November 2016 (Handsome Young Strangers, The Dead Peasants, Quinton Trembath, Andy Paine, Hairyman & BrodyGreg). Plus another three especially selected as some of our favourite lively bands that really bring the house down with their chaotic takes on genre-mashing (Crooked Fiddle Band, Gusto Gusto & Ess-Em).
You can scroll on to read more about all nine acts.
Go on…
THE CROOKED FIDDLE BAND (NSW) the ARIA nominated ‘chainsaw folk’ band will be celebrating their 20th this year, and including HOBOFOPO on their calendar. No strangers to Tasmania, nor to most festival stages around the country, these four virtuosos mix blasts of fiery folk with intense and atmospheric post- and prog-rock.
HANDSOME YOUNG STRANGERS (NSW) have been bush folk punks for 22 years. Still kicking on with trad instruments, rocking engine room plus a bunch of harmonic voices. They love Tasmania (especially HOBOFOPO – which they’re attended several times over the decade). A blend of trad folk tunes, plus originals, and maybe a classic Oz cover. With a few lineup changes over the years, yet the current lineup is filled with folk/punk/rockers that feel like family.
GUSTO GUSTO (VIC) are West Preston’s finest 7-piece high energy funk-folk instrumental outfit. Finalists for the Australian Folk Music Awards’ Artist of the Year for the past three years, they’ve been busy touring nationally and internationally. So much so that you’ve probably seen them, especially if you were dancing to something raucous late at a folk festival – it was probably them.
ESS-EM (NSW) have been a staple of Sydney’s music scene since their formation in 2014. They have embarked on several national tours and supported the likes of Mad Caddies, Joey Cape, A Wilhelm Scream, Hard-Ons, The Porkers, Authority Zero, and Frenzal Rhomb. Ess-Em also packs a solid punch on-stage as frontwoman, SM, regales audiences with tales of existential crises, conspiracy theories, climate grief, and ‘monthly’ rage.
THE DEAD PEASANTS (VIC) have been a favourite for returning punters who have grown to love their fun and relatable anticapitalist anthems. A HOBOFOPO is not complete without them.
QUINTON TREMBATH (TAS) was just starting to play his own songs ten years ago when HOBOFOPO was born, and now he’s an energetic and uplifting stalwart of the Australian folk-punk scene. Quinton usually pulls together a band for this, for tuns of fun.
HAIRYMAN (TAS) hasn’t been seen much in recent times, in fact the 2024 National Folk Festival and the 2023 Maggies’ Wake are probably his only performances for the last five years. This bush balladeer has retreated back to the deep dark woods of southern Tasmania. But the idea of a reunion of the 2016 HOBOFOPO lineup has been enough to lure him back out for some acapella belters.
BRODYGREG (VIC) is back for big shouting and hard strumming, delivering uplifting songs about depression and capitalism.
ANDY PAINE (QLD) coming straight from the nearest picket line or lock-on with three word slogans and guitar, Andy is the epitome of protest songs.
There is still a heap more to come, so keep your eyes peeled for more news, a songwriters award, artist applications, and tickets. But for now, enjoy this teaser of 9 of our past favourites returning, and save the dates!