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The State Government has provided funding of $184,432 through the Contemporary Music Fund Strategic Initiatives Program to support emerging Aboriginal music acts.

This years' band is the Bart Marr Band from Fitzroy Crossing, chosen by a First Nations-led steering committee and selected from a pool of 10 remote artists.

The program will support them to travel to the South West region to record new songs with award-winning producer James Newhouse at Lamb Chop Studios over 3 days, before travelling to Nannup to perform at the festival.

The program's successful 2025 band was Kiwirrkurra Band, which was mentored by The Family Shoveller Band. Band member Billy-Jo Shoveller recently recorded vocals and instrumentals for Tourism WA's refreshed Walking on a Dream campaign.

Each year, an important part of the weekend is the presentation of the Nannup Emerging Artists and Festival Director's Awards, which recognise Western Australian talent and rewards winning artists with recording time with acclaimed industry professionals.

In 2026, a new award will be introduced in honour of the late Guy Ghouse for an act demonstrating a random act of 'Guyness'.

The Nannup Music Festival was first held in 1990 when it was called the South West Folk Festival. The festival is run by the Nannup Music Club Inc, a non-profit, incorporated arts organisation which was established in 1988 to foster community through music and the arts.

The festival is supported by more than 450 volunteers and a small number of paid staff.

This year's festival, from 27 February to 2 March 2026, will feature 100 acts across eight stages, plus workshops, kids' activities, camping, and food and market vendors, with a focus on showcasing WA talent.

Nannup is expected to host more than 28,000 visitors over the long weekend, making it a boon for the tourism industry in the region and an important contributor to WA's thriving creative economy.

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