Abe says he has been living in so-called Australia for over 30 years.  There is no doubt that his work carries a deep sensibility and sense of empathy for his immediate world. A firecracker on stage, Abe always looks beyond the fragility of life to conquer different sound and visual dimensions, tapping into a primal force. You will always find varied cultural, linguistic and artistic references if you dig deeper into his songs. Musically, he cannot help create stingingly infectious happy tunes.

Awkward Strangers are a neo-folk duo who have been variously described as ‘theatrical’, ‘witty’, ‘atypical’ and ‘experimental’. Andrew sings and plays ukulele / banjolele. Anke sings and plays almost anything she can get her hands on, from guitar, clarinet and flute, to toy piano, kazoo and saw.

They enjoy combining instruments in surprising ways to create and discover new sounds. Sometimes up-beat, sometimes languorous, their songs are thoughtful reflections on the state of the world, intimate explorations of emotions, and cranky rants about political ineptitude.

𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒘𝒌𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖.

Bruce Watson an icon of the Australian folk scene. His performances are joyful, powerful, engaging and often hilarious. He is a masterful craftsman of songs, a great communicator and one of Australia's foremost songwriters and performers in the folk style.  Winner of many songwriting awards, he has appeared at almost 200 folk festivals, and toured Australia, NZ and the UK. Melbourne folk institution. He has produced 8 albums of his original music, had his songs covered by many Australian and international acts, and appeared on compilations with the likes of Yothu Yindi , Eric Bogle, John Williamson and Christine Anu.  The Boite describes him as ‘an Australian folk hero!’ ‘The best songwriter I have seen in a long time.’  (Eric Bogle)

With rich vocals and a beautifully played ukulele, Chantelle performs jazz standards and engaging original music. A diverse performer, she enjoys entertaining crowds at ukulele festivals and other community music events. She loves being part of this wonderful ukulele community.

Formed in August of 2016, in Newcastle NSW. ClydeStreet is a 5-piece band playing creative interpretations of jazz, country, contemporary and original numbers. Originally called Ukenjamit, we have developed into a band offering a variety of instruments adding spice and interest to our songs, whilst highlighting the versatility of the ukulele. Having played at festivals in NSW, Qld and New Zealand &  also headlining at Lizotte's famous Theatre Restaurant in 2020 & 2022.

Hard work, tea, beer and laughter combine to produce the ensemble style we love to share with audiences at community events, festivals and private functions.

Daisy Chains are an instrumental ukulele quartet, playing instrumental music from a range of cultures and genres. In our performances you could hear everything from gypsy tunes and a medieval dance to folk tunes and jazz standards.

Daisy Chains are directed by JHUI graduate Steph Payne from Unstrung Music.

We have performed at the Newkelele, Newport Folk Festival, Melbourne Ukulele Festival, Red Arcade in Werribee, Unstrung Music Showcases, Eco-living Centre High Tea (Wyndham Vale), Williamstown Botanical Gardens.

From post-punk bands in the 80s and 90s, to leader of the Melbourne Ukulele Kollective, to post-classical and experimental compositions and the person responsible for Tom Waits Day. Meet the man behind the myth!

Armed with a one-of-a-kind electric ukulele (crafted by the infamous and ingenious Terry McNiff from a B.C. Rich Warlock guitar) and a slew of distortion pedals, D.W. will be reinventing songs from a broad swathe of popular and unpopular culture. It’s bold, it’s brash, it’s unlike anything you’re likely to hear at any other ukulele festival!

WARNING!!! May be quite loud. 

(Photo by Nic Pistas)

As a community group Goldfields Ukestra support the learning needs of ukulele players of all abilities within the Bendigo area, providing members with a safe, inclusive and supportive environment to learn and advance their ukulele craft at their own pace. 

Goldfields Ukestra has sprung forward in leaps and bounds since its humble beginnings in 2015, where members would meet for a strum around someone’s kitchen table. In 2017 our numbers grew substantially so we moved away from the 'home based learning model', found some club rooms, appointed a musical director and adopted the name Goldfields Ukestra. In 2019 we became an incorporated Association and today we have 40+ financial members. 

As a community group we enjoy supporting local events and have played at events such as the 2019 Bendigo Rotary Club Carols by Candlelight, the 2019 Dingee Gospel Festival, Senior's Week celebrations, local markets, private functions, virtual Ukulele Festivals such as HUF, and our local Jigarre Jamming Camp Concerts. 

If you put Jim Croce, John Williamson, and Patsy Biscoe into a blender with a generous serving of ham and cheese you would not only have a very unusual hobby but you might also end up with something like ivan. A trivia host, Dungeon Master, and chocolate-walking-tour guide, ivan has also been writing ukelele songs and performing with Melbourne's Connoisseur Cabaret and is a semi-regular late ring-in at Klub Muk's monthly open mic nights. His songs range from childish jaunts to bittersweet folk dirges to comical ditties, with audience participation heartily encouraged.

COME and ROCK to pure, unadulterated, high-octane heavy metal and hard rock! Karin is an experienced musician, singer and technical electric ukulele player, performing powerful, upbeat, crowd-pleasing covers from the 70s, 80s and 90s (covering the spectrum from Led Zeppelin to Kate Bush, Kiss to Patti Smith, and everything in between) to keep the mood thrumming and happy. 

Melbourne Ukulele Kollective is a diverse, open-armed gaggle of ukulele musicians each equipped with only four strings and the truth!

Since crashing through the tv screens of the nation in 2006 (Spicks and Specks: ABC TV), the Melbourne Ukulele Kollective is still boldly going where no ukulele has gone before.

In 2004 MUK was Australia’s first ukulele group and proclaimed that the Ukulele Revolution had arrived. After over 500 members and nearly 20 years, we continue to proclaim its glorious victory!

MUK has played Spicks and Specks, Moomba, Fed Square, Hamer Hall and a host of other pubs and venues including headlining the annual Melbourne Ukulele Festival.

MUK are excited to again support the 2023 Melbourne Ukulele Festival with a brand new show.

Described by Brian Nankervis as “mysterious… and feral”, and by some as “self indulgent”, MUK delights in crossing borders, smashing boundaries and raising the humble ukulele to new and outlandish heights! 

Expect the klassic MUK kostumes, plus the unexpected, and some very special magic thrown in!

Hailing from Central Victoria, the P-Ukes are two gentlemen of a certain age struggling to remember their misspent youth and a musical fledgling of excellent musical lineage and skill. Regular meetings at the Royal Oak Hotel might not have led to solutions to the world’s ukulele problems (if any), but theories have now been transformed into action: ‘One, two, three, four….’

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Playing classic tunes from between 1975 to 1980, the older chaps don’t let a lack of talent get in the way of a good old three chord banger and the younger fellow is now aware of where he is likely to be in 50 or 60 years. At least he will be able to count to four!

Sage Marie is a 17 year old, independent, singer-songwriter from Melbourne, Australia. She discovered that songwriting helped with her mental health during the Covid19 lockdowns.

Self taught, she found a love for the ukulele and has recently released her debut EP- Unstable, produced straight from her bedroom, all while completing her VCE. 

The Ukuleles in this story are neither red nor blue, but there are two of them. Two eyes, two ears, two sets of arms and legs. Two lungs for breathing. Each of Someone Else’s Wedding Band’s members have these. 

This one has a star - vocal chords and pedals boards for crooning and wailing. This one has a fast car - a nest of boxes and wires for driving rhythms.

Nothing has rhymed for more than ten years now, but there’s an element of pop, an element of noise. Dr Seuss would be turning in his Truffula Tree forest grave. 

Soulful vocals caress gentle ukulele, stitched together with lilting flute, creating the sonic pallet of multidisciplinary artist The Emerald Ruby. The brainchild of Newcastle based creative Jen Hankin, The Emerald Ruby is the home of her many artistic pursuits. Her artistic practice includes performance, composition, fine arts (digital and watercolour), photography, videography, fashion design and writing.

A rich musical history accompanies The Emerald Ruby through every performance. Her first musical home was the Orchestra, where Shostakovich and Stravinsky informed her understanding of structure and texture. In her teens, she fell for alt metal band System of Down, which combined with her study at University of Newcastle, saw her make the transition from pure classical musician to multi-genre powerhouse. She has toured and recorded extensively with The Button Collective and experimental folk/jazz band Vanishing Shapes. She regularly performs with jazz-rock band Othrship, and Psyc rock band Lachlan X Morris.

The Emerald Ruby has graced the stages of the Great Southern Nights, Melbourne Ukulele Festival, Bulga Beats festival, The Rhythm Hut, and Lazybones Lounge. She is also the 2022 Dots and Loops composer Fellow.

The John Lee Blues Band is a recently formed (2022) 'Blues Band' with John Lee as the main vocalist playing mainly Electric Ukulele in predominantly the 'blues' style of playing.

John also plays the Blues Harmonica which really gives the blues 'feeling' to their music.

John is accompanied by Madeline playing Uke Bass and also singing lead vocals in some of their repertoire. The band is also accompanied by Marcus who plays percussion in the band. The band is influenced by many of the classic Blues performers of the century!

The Thin White Ukes perform  the songs of David Bowie with love and harmony. ⚡️

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The glamorously attired Melbourne trio travels six decades deep into the great art-rock visionary’s swooning songbook of smash hits and astounding obscurities, each lovingly reassembled for precision acoustic strings and three richly entwined voices.​​

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The Thin White Ukes' high passion, mellifluous musicality and stunning attention to detail honour and illuminate Mr Bowie's beloved back catalogue with a rare degree of creative invention, an act of homage befitting their hero's relentless quest for adventure.

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Put on your red shoes. 

They’ll be floating in a most peculiar way.

We are the UkeAlohas Showband! The UkeAlohas Showband is made up of a diverse group of uke-loving, fun-loving, music-loving enthusiasts from Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. We are united in our love of the ukulele, playing together and playing for others. 

Our band leader is Des Mahoney, a musician for over 40 years and a music teacher for the past 10 years. In 2021 Des was awarded a "Feelgood" award #WhitehorseTogether from the Whitehorse Business Group for recognition of him “supporting the community during these difficult times”. This is in recognition of his work with the community and music groups during the Covid pandemic. 

Members of the UkeAlohas Showband have performed both as solo artists, and in groups, at such diverse events as the Melbourne Ukulele Festival, Surrey Hills Music Festival, community events, in community choirs and in instrumental groups. 

Music is our inspiration. The UkeAlohas Showband believe that music is for the benefit of everyone, heart and soul. We want to bring the joy of music to everyone in our community, and we do!

When the UkeAlohas Showband play, the audiences sing along, clap and even dance along to our music.And that makes us happy! 

So come along and sing along with the UkeAlohas Showband at MUF 2023!

I've been full time workshop leader in schools, preschools and corporate since arriving in Australia in 2006. Ukulele, Brazilian, and West African Drumming. I performed weekly Zoom shows during Covid and recorded a song a day in October '21. I'm Vice President of the Australian Ukulele Leaders' and Teachers' Association. 

You are about to enjoy the culmination of 13 years of a slowly rotating roster of ukulele enthusiasts from Newcastle NSW, lead by two of the world's most successful professional community musicians. Mark Jackson and Jane Jelbart have performed and lead groups and taught at ukulele and folk festivals across Australia and the world. But their best work is done at home, where each week they run seven ukestras and two choirs, featuring brilliant and dismal lead vocalists alike. At festivals we only feature the best vocalists, who are backed by a festival ukestra that is an inclusive mix of ukulele skills playing songs in ways which other groups haven’t yet dreamed of. At the 2011 Melbourne Ukulele Festival we won the Golden Ukulele. Dean musta got scared because the whole idea of a Golden Ukulele was ditched thereafter.

The lovely folk of the Yarra YUkers want to share our joy in music. The group has been changing and learning and performing since around 2015 and have become regulars at M.U.F., H.U.F., the monthly KLUB MUK ukulele open mic nights in Northcote; occasionally at local markets or nursing homes and even managed spontaneous rousing renditions of ‘happy birthday’ in the bar-room at The Retreat Hotel!   We meet on Tuesday nights in Abbotsford, Melbourne.  We are proud that several ukulele performing groups featured at festivals have developed out of YY. Our set lists are eclectic and our songs are always arranged with a view to developing lead singing and harmonies, improving our uke-playing skills and seeing if we can’t get you to dance, laugh or even pull out your hankie to dab away a tear! 

Melbourne duo, ‘All the Way Home’ – Craig Barrie and Nicki Johnson – craft original folky tunes, seductively spiced with a hint of pop, catchy riffs and toe-tapping rhythms. Their joyful and intimate sharing of stories about being human, losing yourself and finding your place, features delicious, intricate vocal harmony and instrumentations ranging across a variety of sweet and soulful ukulele voices and supporting instruments.

The Balla Balla Ukes are a community ukulele group based in Cranbourne. They regularly perform at ukulele festivals and other community events including Australia Day, Berwick Show and local Christmas carols. The group loves to work on uke technique and prides themselves on playing with a layered group sound. They meet at Balla Balla Community Centre in Cranbourne on the first and third Sunday of each month and welcome new members of any experience.

Ben is the founding member and manager of the Ukulele Death Squad, who launched onto the scene at the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2017. In their first three shows, they sold out Adelaide’s famous Grace Emily Hotel all three times, Awarding them a completely sold out debut Fringe Festival Season. This would turn into over 18 months of non stop nationwide and international touring in which the Death Squad sold out every show. The Ukulele Death Squad went onto selling out a UK and Europe tour in 2017 and 2018 and selling out their 2017 and 2018 Edinburgh Fringe Festival seasons. Since the bands inception Ben has lead the group to multiple awards including the “Best Music Act” Weekly Award and the “Best Music Act” of the whole Adelaide Fringe 2018. 2019 saw them take out the “Best Folk Band” at the SA Music awards as well as being nominated for “Best SA Act” and “Best SA New Artist.”

Chicks with Picks Melbourne is a community of women who study guitar & ukulele with teacher, performer & songwriter, Helen Begley.  When they can, they come from all over Melbourne to get together and perform. Their sets showcase well known and not so well known songs with fun arrangements for guitar, ukulele and voice. Chicks with Picks Melbourne are well known for presenting surprising sets that explore classic Australian Rock songs, Top 40 hits of the 70's and 80's, instrumentals and alt country classics. Think REM, Carol King and Radiohead and Earth Wind and Fire with lead solos, feature vocals and iconic chord progressions and riffs transcribed for all the ukuleles and their big cousin, the guitar.

Canberra’s hottest, alt-uke band and winners of the 2020 Australian National Busking Championships - Community Music Award. The Coolective blend their love of rhythm, melody, riffs and harmony into an altogether new uke artform. Entwining baritone, tenor, concert, banjolele and u-bass ukes, this pull-no-punches collection of contemporary sounds wanders between folk, alt-country, chill grooves, blues, rock, Caribbean rhythms, and even a Russian gypsy jazz tune! Australian songs feature in the repertoire. 

Dead Mans Uke are an award winning two man band playing dirt swing, hokum and old blues tunes as well as crazy covers and anything else they fancy on double bass and a resonator ukulele that belonged to Tiny Tim... they play shows in bars, music venues, parties, festivals and theatres across the UK and recently in Prague, Dublin, Austria, Paris, Bavaria, Poland, Las Vegas, Palm Springs and even Saudi Arabia…

The group originally formed to give students an outlet for the skills that they learnt in music class. There are no remaining original members! They all got good at playing and then left to go to secondary schools. Our current line up consists of students from Year 1 to Year 6. They take playing the ukulele seriously. They take their band leader/music teacher a lot less seriously. Probably a good mix.

Green Fieldz is a high energy duo featuring  stunning twin ukuleles weaving melodies and harmonies in a variety of tunes and songs. No stone is left unturned as this dynamic duo explores many genres including Celtic, bluegrass, ragtime, classical, old favourites, new favourites and gypsy jazz on baritone and tenor ukuleles with soaring vocals and plenty of onstage banter, fun and humour.

Green Fieldz is Keith Rea and Sally Carter. They are based on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria and are festival favourites at many festivals in Australia.

Green Fieldz performs regularly at many venues on the Mornington Peninsula, private functions including weddings, parties, and......anything!...... as well as regularly running workshops on different aspects of ukulele playing and song arrangements at festivals.

Jack n Jel is a chemical formula for collaborative excellence, musical sweetness, and guileless lyricism (thank-you dictionary.com). The core of this rare chemical reaction is Mark Jackson and Jane Jelbart, accompanied by friends, both passing and permanent. They play with whomever helps make them sound and look better than they really are. Mark and Jane are professional community musicians from Newcastle NSW and are a multi-instrumental duo who are inspired by the singer song writer tradition of Americana music.  Since 2011 (in non-pandemic times) they have toured North America (and further afield) collectings songs to thermomix with their originals. Their performance reflects folk, alt-country and blues influences, complemented by soft harmonies and storytelling. Their debut (and only) album contains surprising and delightful songs that blend the ukulele with other instruments. As it should be. And trumpet. We should say that too.

Mark and Jane are well known at festivals in Australia and North America as entertaining, knowledgeable, and safe and well ordered (well, one of them is) teachers. They have run a tight community ship at home for a dozen years, successfully navigating their ukestrans through various treacheries, including a global pandemic.

Kim is a solo ukeologist and vocalist from Central Victoria who plays music from a diverse range of genres including traditional and contemporary folk, pop, blues, rock and country. She has a strong passion for folk music which is evident in her unique folkie arrangements of even the hardest of rock covers. As a regular participant in the online world of the #100daysofukulele and #ukuleleencore FB groups, she continues to impress her followers with unique song selections and covers from folk artists such as Ninebarrow, First Aid Kit, The Wailin' Jenny's, Patrick Wolf, Tracy Chapman and Neil Young just to name a few, as well as breathing life back into some beautiful old but not forgotten traditional tunes. Her unique song selections are combined with beautiful vocals and cleverly haunting arrangements...a must see for any folkie! 

As a folk performer, Kim often provides her audience with intimate 'back stories' to her songs. These stories are grounded in history and allow the listener to fully immerse in each song for a truly intimate musical experience.

Studied music which led me to play the uke as a  hobby. Been playing for 5 years and absolutely love it! Play mainly fingerstyle and chord melody and love sharing my music with anyone who will listen 

The Qukes are a group of ukulele enthusiasts from the Kew Neighbourhood Learning Centre – currently led by the fabulous Betty France. 

The Qukes occasionally perform in public at local events around the Kew area but primarily enjoy just getting together to play and sing in their weekly classes. They have appeared at MUF, Klub Muk nights, a choral event at the Sacred Heart Church in Kew, with the most divine acoustics, and Gentle Annie musical gatherings in Carlton. Their repertoire ranges from classic hits to contemporary pop and some of their arrangements are…. pretty  good.

Sally's Ukulele is Sally Carter performing many daredevil acts of musical bravery on her two tenor ukuleles - a high G and a low G ukulele. Sally covers many genres in her shows including celtic, ragtime, classical, bluegrass  old favourites, new favourites and gypsy jazz.

Sally lives on the Mornington Peninsula and has performed and run workshops at many festivals in Australia and NZ. She also teaches ensemble playing to several ukulele groups on the Mornington Peninsula. These lessons are based on her Ukulele Ensemble books which Sally has written where each player learns how to play tunes arranged as melody, harmonies and chords to create a full ensemble sound.

Sally travels to different parts of Australia and NZ to give one day workshops on different aspects of ukulele playing, and demonstrates these techniques in her performances.

Sally also teaches privately from her studio in Frankston and regularly runs online workshops based in Australia and the US.

Sally posts ukulele videos regularly on her Sally's Ukulele Facebook page. These videos are performances and tutorials based on her books as well as performing and demonstrating different techniques used in her playing of well known songs and tunes.

Sally also performs regularly as a music duo called Green Fieldz with Keith Rea.

SKULL was formed in 2015 to fill the ukulele void in Melbourne's southside with DIY uke fun.

1st Tuesday - SKULL #UkueleOpenMic

2nd Tuesday - SKULL Free Tuesday Night #UkeJam

3rd Tuesday - SKULL #UkeBlues

4th Tuesday - SKULL Free Tuesday Night #UkeJam

The Glitter Bombs formed when Amy, Kate and Lauren decided to cheer themselves up/on during Melbourne lockdowns by meeting via zoom to play fun, upbeat pop music together on ukulele. They continue to spread optimism  through their harmonies and choice of shameless, upbeat and often unexpected song choices. Never ones to take themselves too seriously, The Glitter Bombs will put some sparkle in your day.

The Seven-legged Cows perform a mixture of original songs, and classic folk/pop/rock from the 60s through to the current day. Original songs focus on humorous/ quirky lyrics, amusing life experiences, and send-ups of well known songs created by changing the lyrics and meaning of phrases. Their originals aim to take you by surprise and leave you shocked and amused. Their covers span the last 60 years of popular music and include Leonard Cohen, and Bob Dylan,  thru to Ed Sheeran and Billy Eilish.

Spine tingling harmonies,sassy performers, great repertoire and oh yes, they play a mean ukulele.   The Thornberries is a fabulous group of women which offers an eclectic repertoire, wonderful harmonies and great playing. The Thornberries have delighted audiences across the inner north of Melbourne including The Peppertree place fiesta, Thornbury local, Bar 303 and MUF. The Thornberries offer a delightful interlude for all seasons.

There could be no better place to celebrate ukulele and folk music than a concert or workshop with The Wild Women of Anywhere Beach, Cathy Welsford and Angie Smith. These funny, creative performers have delighted audiences from Hobart to Cairns with their layered harmonies and skilled musicianship, recently touring eastern Victoria and south-east NSW.

With a suitcase full of humorous new-minted songs, evocative tunes and old favourites, they invite foot-tapping audiences to laugh along with their lyrics and join in choruses. By popular demand they have recorded many of their original songs and classic covers on a CD, Keep Laughing, Seriously whish are also available on download platforms. Their new Songbook is now available from the Wild Women website.

Multi-instrumentalist Cathy Welsford has been performing, writing and teaching music all her life. Awarded an Australian local Citizen of the Year for services to community music, she is an inspiring workshop presenter with a M.Ed degree, teaching finger-style, jazz, improvisation, classical and folk ukulele. She founded and leads the Valla Beach Garage Band and Blue Gum Blossom Jazz Ensemble.

Fabulous singer-songwriter Angie Smith is a music historian with over thirty years’ teaching experience. A brilliant workshop presenter with a PhD in Education, she specialises in ukulele strum techniques and song craft in a broad range of musical styles. Her knowledge and skills are in demand at festivals and community arts programs.

The culmination of two lifetimes of on-stage exuberance has made The Wild Women of Anywhere Beach audience favourites. 

Threepence is a 3 piece group focusing on singing harmonies with Penny Creighton, and Anne Cowper on ukulele and vocals; and Gail Walsh on u-bass and vocals.  They met through the Newcastle Ukestra which gave them an ideal stepping stone to venture into something more intimate. The group formed about 7 years ago and draws its repertoire from an eclectic mix ranging from blues, folk and originals with a feel-good vibe. Threepence has performed at Lizotte’s in Newcastle; Newcastle & Hunter Valley Folk Club; Central Coast, Brisbane, Newcastle, Dungog and Oportiki (NZ) Ukulele Festivals; a Fundraiser for Refugees; Shenanigans Irish Pub; Morisett Time Out Festival; and house concerts.

U3A Knox Music Muster is a community based music group that meets every Tuesday as part of the University of the Third Age (U3A) Knox.     Now in its sixth year, the Music Muster has nearly 30 enthusiastic members with a strong focus on having fun while playing, singing and learning.  The Music Muster performs at U3A and Knox City Council functions and has performed at the Melbourne Ukulele Festival, Girgarre Moosic Muster and the Hills Ukulele Festival.

“Oh, je t’adore”, said the singer to her ukulele. Amie Brûlée and her small, stringed friend bring you fabulous songs in seductively vintage style. Occasionally spotted in Paris with her ukulele (that’s ukulélé in French), she sings an eclectic mix of French, Spanish and original songs, vintage jazz, and other tunes that cross her path and take her fancy. Her musical adventures and influences range from classical to jazz, cabaret to blues, flamenco to folk (just to name a few), and she loves nothing more than finding a new way to interpret an old song.

Bette Foord is a melodramatic Melbourne musician with a ukulele and some stories to tell: Some haunting, some funny, and some to warm your heart.  

Bette began performing and songwriting at a young age and uses many different themes in her songs including love, loss, online dating, sex, disability & even food. 

Recently, Bette has had success on Atomic radio's Top 20 Countdown, having not only held number 1 position for weeks but also, always having multiple original songs in charting positions in the Top 20. 

Looking like a 50s siren, sounding like a modern day boss bitch - you're going to want to keep your eyes - and ears - locked on to her.

A regular on the Aussie uke scene, Cameron Murray is a Sydney-based singer-songwriter and teacher who’s been playing the ukulele and banjo-uke for more than half his life. Endorsed by Romero Creations Ukuleles in California, he enjoys performing original songs, as well as classic tunes from the 1920s and '30s. Cameron has performed in Hawaii and Los Angeles and at most ukulele festivals in Australia, and is known for his incredibly fast, George Formby-like strumming...and fancy jackets! He's also the creator and editor of globally recognised KAMUKE Ukulele Magazine and the producer and host of the popular Ukulele Stories podcast. 

Christina Green is a Melbourne-based singer-songwriter, composer and composer and multi-instrumentalist. She performs original songs in a contemporary folk idiom that draws on folk, folk-rock, Celtic, blues, jazz and cabaret elements. Christina’s songs have been described as ‘snapshots, portraits, landscapes, stories and moments in time, pieces of mindfulness’. Since 2011, Christina has brought the ukulele into her sets, writing songs and instrumental pieces for the instrument including two multi-song cycles for baritone ukulele. Her MUF performance(s) will feature a selection from these works.

Singer-songwriters Craigie Marsh combine sweet harmonies and honest lyricism with a repertoire that ranges from a laid-back vibe, to lively performances on acoustic and electric instruments.  Craigie Marsh perform with renowned cellist, Helen Larmour, whose evocative, rich tones deliver exhilarating, uplifting performances. Four Craigie Marsh songs were finalists at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2022.

Based in the Dandenong Ranges, Duplicity comprises Sue Kidd and Brendan Canty.  Playing an eclectic mix of originals and covers, Duplicity captivates and delights audiences by combining beautiful vocals with clever arrangements and "taking ukuleles to places they don't normally go".  Duplicity performs regularly at venues around Melbourne and has opened for Hannah Schmidli, Lucy Wise, Paul Jonson (NZ), Manitoba Hal Brolund (Canada) and the Screamin' Eagles.

As well as regular gigging, Duplicity is active on the festival circuit and in 2022 was a headliner at both the Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival and Girgarre Moosic Muster.  Duplicity has performed at many other festivals including The Melbourne Ukulele Festival, Newport Folk Festival, Newkulele (NSW),  4 String Festival (New Zealand), SPRUKE (Brisbane), Hills Ukulele Festival (HUF), The Basin Music Festival and PAVE Festival to name a few.

Giddy is a singer-songwriter who is inspired by the various ways in which we experience connection and disconnect with the people we love. She can usually be found with her beautiful baritone ukulele Lorien, singing about small moments, big feelings and everything in between. Expect a mix of intimate, poetic originals and soft acoustic covers, featuring delicate instrumentals and ethereal vocals.

Giddy can be found playing her songs at open mics and intimate gigs around Sydney’s inner city. She loves collaborating musically with others, and was part of the writing team for a new musical work, ‘The Breaths in Between’, as well as one third of a uke trio called Bullied Into Happiness. She has just started working on her first EP, ‘Raindrop’.

Helen Begley is an accidental ukulele player and teacher. She started playing when her poetry teacher recruited her for the Ukulele Revolution. She started teaching ukulele when a new guitar student turned up with a ukulele. Since then, she has taught hundreds of ukulele students through her teaching business, Chicks with Picks Melbourne.

She’s written a lot of songs and shows. Her latest theatre production, Voyage, was nominated for three Green Room Awards and featured on the 2021 VCE Drama Playlist. She won the inaugural Melbourne Ukulele Festival Songwriting award for her song "Ukulele Rain Song". The other song she entered that year, "Sweet Serenade" came third. She thinks the ukulele is a perfect instrument for writing songs about the suburbs. She wrote a whole album dedicated to West Brunswick. She’s currently working on some songs about Doncaster. 

Jane Cameron is a captivating contemporary folk storyteller and performer. Her songs speak straight to the heart, sharing the deeply personal with vulnerability, compassion and a poetic sensibility that shines a light on the universal experience of human connection.  Her voice draws comparisons with Natalie Merchant and Deborah Conway, or as more than one audience members have put it “it’s like chocolate!”. 

After releasing two EPs with her Brisbane-based duo thewhiskeyarchive in 2012, Jane moved to Melbourne and embarked on a solo songwriting career. Jane has played at venues up and down the east coast of Australia over the last decade, and at ukulele festivals from Cairns to Mt Gambier.  She released her debut solo album, The Mercy of the Tide, in 2015 and her long awaited second album, Landlocked, will be released in late 2022. 

Luna The Moon are a ukulele trio from the Northern Suburbs of Melbourne, comprising of members Izzy Votsis (Baritone Uke), Jess Maio (Tenor Uke) and Julia Marulli (Basselele). The girls have been playing music together since the early days of high school, and have now continued as a trio playing live at Melbourne bars, restaurants, and community festivals. Their repertoire includes a mix of acoustic folk-pop originals as well as classic covers with a ukulele twist. Luna The Moon is made up of complementary ukulele and bass components, three part vocal harmonies and percussive elements. The trio will be releasing their debut single 'Her' on 12 August, which has been a crowd favourite at all their live shows.

Nick Paisley was well-known as a bass player with Australian band "Mainstreet", which has toured in Australia and Europe.

During an enforced break from playing bass, a friend introduced Nick to the ukulele.

Nick discovered a new world of music.

He soon joined Balmain Ukulele Club and started performing regularly. He is still a member of Balmain Ukulele Club and loves talking about the ukulele.

Nick regularly plays at ukulele festivals, as well as playing gigs in Australia and Europe.

Nick's CD "Ukulele Songs" sums up his musical journey. The songs are also available on major music services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon.

With a premise that the 2020s have been a locked-down dud so far, Russell is on a journey to rediscover the musical energy and passion of the 1920s. Bring back the Roaring Twenties! Under the banner “Crazy Words, Crazy Tune”, this set celebrates some old favourites. But be warned, this is no Broadway Musical – as well as great jazz tunes the decade also generated memorable songs in other genres. As a further warning, note that Russell has also been on a mission to find or invent the most unpleasant sounding chords possible on four strings and embed them in songs, a mission he has been “delighting” the audience with each month at Klub MUK. No song in this set is out of scope for this, umm, “re-interpretation”.

The Brass Traps re-imagines what Swing music would sound like if it had have been invented in the 2000s. With infectious beats to get your toes tapping, and catchy lyrics to get you singing along, The Brass Traps' original songs tackle the important issues of the day, like coping with technological hassles, dreaming of being an astronaut, and basically just how to navigate modern life.

What do Gen Z uni Students do in lockdown? They start a band! The Hollows are an original duo that pours their self-obsessed angst into the lyrics of their catchy original songs. Captivating vocals and ukulele are backed by a strong percussion to produce a fusion of old, new and wtf that makes The Hollows’ tunes ones you just can’t get out of your head.

Hooray, the Honeybees are back! Join them for 60s Simon and Garfunkel, 80’s Red Balloons (99 in total we’re told), a pair of Scots with a lot to Proclaim…and other great classic stuff.

The Honeybees are Tracey Wood, Melissa James and Amanda Owen. They love song and laughter and they’d absolutely love you to join them! Bring your friends, let loose and have a lot of fun!

Based in the fabulous Dandenong Ranges and rehearsing at Emerald Primary School, The Tall Ones is what happens when parents see how much fun their kids are having playing the ukulele. With a set list known for it’s surprisingly unlikely ukulele songs, they make it all work with great stage presence and skill.

The Ukalypts are "ukulele-ists" who meet in Brunswick East fortnightly for a jam, sing, drink beer and eat chips. It's a fabulous and fun group of people who play pop and folk covers and the occasional original.  

We are a trio of ukulele players and singers that only play music that makes us feel good. Our repertoire ranges across decades and styles. We love to reimagine songs through our arrangements using harmonies, percussion and other instruments as accents to the uke. Most of all we love the humble uke and strive to stretch its capacity through picking, strumming styles, U-bass, and effects pedals.

In 2022 we performed at Newkulele, HUF, MUF, Klub MUK and Gigarre Moosic Muster. We also ran workshops for HUF and AUTLA.

MMM=Melissa, Mike and Melanie

Tyrone (Alone) plays light music for dark times, designed to defy the drop-downs, fashioned to fly across the footlights and into your heart. The award-winning Tyrone and Lesley have played the Sydney Opera House, UK, New Zealand, and at ukulele festivals all over Australia. At this exclusive solo show you’ll hear songs from their record ‘String’ and a brace of new classics.

Wyndukes Ukestra rock out the hits, complete with riffs, bass grooves, power chords and backing vocals! Directed by Steph Payne, these arrangements will get your toes tapping and wanting to join in. Ukuleles at the ready, the Wyndukes can’t wait to share the fun with you at MUF 2023.