Folk Federation 2024 & 2025 Youth Winners – Ais O’Neill, Sam Fletcher, Gabi Forman & Lucy Beveridge @ The Loaded Dog, Sat 23rd May, 7 for 7.30 start

$18/20 cash at the door

Tritton Hall, Hut 44, Addison Road  Centre, 142 Addison Road, Marrickville

30 minutes each from

Ais O’Neill, 2024 – under 19 years  Ais O’Neill is an exciting young instrumentalist and singer from Sydney’s Northern Beaches who
has recently won the Folk Federation of NSW Young Folk Artist award. She is currently studying at the University of Sydney and has been in and around the folk scene from a young age. Ais was judged the most accomplished of all the applicants in the under nineteen years age group in the state. The award consists of a cash prize, mentoring by experienced folk musicians, performance opportunities at concerts and festivals and a recording session at Blue Mountains Sound. On learning of her success Ais said “I feel incredibly grateful and honoured to have won this award.  Through the amazing opportunities it provides, I cannot wait to further develop my skills and
experience and share folk music with others.”

Ais 2026 – Ais O’Neill is a traditional tin whistle player and folk singer emerging from Sydney’s vibrant trad music scene.  Since receiving the Folk Federation NSW Young Folk Artist Award in 2024, Ais has performed widely across Sydney and at regional festivals, including appearances as a solo artist at the Yass and Bundanoon Folk Festivals in 2025, and filling in with Kejafi at the 2024 Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival. Alongside solo work, Ais is a founding member of the newly formed band Annúir, bringing together two generations of musicians playing traditional music rooted in the Irish music tradition.  Ais is an active contributor to the traditional music scene, running two regular sessions and engaging widely in sessions across Sydney and further afield.

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Sam Fletcher, 2024 – under 25 years   Sam Fletcher is an exciting young singer-songwriter from the South Coast who has just won theFolk Federation of NSW Young Folk Artist award. Sam was judged the most accomplished of all the applicants in the under 25 years age group in the state.  Sam grew up in the small village of Congo, always surrounded by forests and the sea. With music and the natural environment being two of Sam’s deepest passions, he is devoted to developing his original music career and using this music for environmental/climate activism.  Apart from working in the Snowy Mountains over winter, Sam is a full-time performing musician
and is currently gearing up for a big summer of music with exciting new releases, touring and folk festivals on the way. On learning of his success Sam said “I have been building my musical career since teenage years, trying really hard. As the first significant accolade I have received in music, I feel moved that a respected body has recognised my effort.”

Sam – 2026 – Since I won the award I have been studying music at University of Sydney, then maths/physics at University of Wollongong. I also  completed my second Rock On For Climate Action event in 2025 – a fundraising event funded by the Fire To Flourish grant, which raised funds for 350 Eurobodalla. I’ve also since released songs, including Rule My Mind: https://gyro.to/RuleMyMind and Alberta Blue https://gyro.to/AlbertaBlue

and

Lucy Beveridge,  2025 Under 19 years –  16-year-old singer/songwriter from Lake Macquarie. Lucy, who plays guitar and fiddle has won numerous songwriting awards and also appeared at the Cobargo Folk Festival and the Tamworth Country Music Festival where she performed with the Bushwackers. On receiving news of her award Lucy said, “I am truly honoured and grateful to receive this wonderful award. It’s such an amazing opportunity for me to keep growing, learning, and sharing my music with others. Thank you so much for supporting my journey.”

Lucy – 2026. Lucy has continued to build strong momentum nationally. She won the Junior category at the Gympie Music Muster Talent Search in 2025 and was awarded the John P.Toomey Commemorative Award for Youth Songwriting at the TSA this year.  Lucy is currently recording new music

https://www.instagram.com/lucybeveridgemusic

 https://www.facebook.com/lucybeveridgemusic    https://www.tiktok.com/@lucybeveridgemusic

https://www.youtube.com/@lucybeveridge1704

 https://open.spotify.com/artist/3IFKs3PpUmQ1oKDkb5QRen

 https://www.lucybeveridge.com.au

Gabi Forman – 2025 under 25 yrs . Hailing from Berridale, Gabi is a guitarist/mandolin player who writes and performs original songs to make a difference and to give back. Gabi is looking forward to the recording and performance opportunities to help get her messages to a wider audience and says, “I am humbled and excited to receive this award. To be recognised and encouraged by respected people in the folk and bluegrass space is beyond my wildest dreams and I am committed to making the most of every opportunity the award offers me. “

Gabi – 2026  –  Modern mandolin-led and traditional/gospel bluegrass and folk music are the true loves of Snowy Mountains musician and mandolin specialist Gabi Forman, the 2025 -2026 New South Wales Folk Federation under 25 youth artist of the year and that’s what she plays with her band Gabi Forman & the Wayward Pilgrims all around NSW, the ACT and even into Queensland.