Your Roots are Showing – Folk Conference announce 2026 Showcase Artists

Your Roots Are Showing – Ireland’s Music Conference (YRAS) is delighted to announce the Official Showcase Artists for 2026, taking place January 14th–18th 2026, at ICC Belfast and Waterfront Hall. The Folk in Fusion opening concert will launch the week on January 13th 2026, featuring a lineup of world-class artists from both sides of the Atlantic, including Grammy Award-winning country music legend Crystal Gayle.

The full roster of Official Showcase Artists is now revealed, representing the very best in music from Ireland and around the globe. This year’s lineup features homegrown acts such as CAOIMHÍN, The Kates, An Chéad Ghlúin Eile, BRIARS and Chantelle Padden, alongside international artists like The Wildwoods and Hillary Klug.

“At YRAS, everything begins and ends with the artists,” said Charlene Sloan, Co-Founder & Executive Director. “They are the heartbeat of this event and the reason we gather. These showcases are about more than just performance – they are about building sustainable careers, creating connections, and celebrating the wellbeing and creativity of artists who carry these traditions forward.”

“Our showcases are designed to celebrate both tradition and transformation,” adds Brendan McCreanor, Co-Founder & Creative Director. “The 2026 lineup brings together artists who honour deep-rooted musical heritage while also blending genres, crossing borders, and creating bold new sounds. It’s a living proof that music is at its most powerful when it evolve, and Belfast will feel that energy first-hand.”

AL ALMA | Alder | Allen Temple & Moussa Dembele | An Chéad Ghlúin Eile |

Andy Sydow | Annie Cheevers | Ardú | AYSANABEE | Ben Gage | Ben Reel |

Brian O’Brien | BRIARS | CAOIMHÍN | Chantelle Padden | Charm of Finches |

Compagnie Artistique Lumière | Corner Boy | Coruja Jones | Couldn’t Be Happiers | Crystal Shawanda | Dave Clancy | Davin McCoy | Dead Letter Devils | Dee White |

Derek Ellard & The Future Business Model |

Duane Andrews And the Hot Club Of Conception Bay | Edel Murphy |

Eunice Keitan | Fiach Moriarty | Folk Division

FRAGMENT | Georgia Mooney | Grainne Duffy | Hadithi Kultur |

Hector Gannet | Helen O’Shea | Hillary Klug | How I Became A Wave |

Inge Lamboo | James Keegan | Joe H Henry | Joe Troop |

Jon Cope Celtic County Blues | Kate Prendergast | Ken Whiteley |

Kevin Quigley & The Great Ideas | Kieran O’ Connell | King Springs Road |

Kylie Price | Laura Ampersand | Liz & Nilko | Lleuwen

Luís Gómez FlamenGrass 4tet | Luke Savage Sextet |

MAKAS | Mali Hâf | Mallory Chipman | Man The Lifeboats | Mànran |

Martin Almgren | McPEAKE  | Music In The Glen | Northern Air |

Radim Zenkl & Ondra Kozák | RIA TIMKIN | Ryan Biter |

Saltaire | Scott Levi Jones | Shay Sweeney | Skye Wallace |

Stacy Antonel | Steady Habits | SYSTIR | Teague and Joyce | Tempest

The 19th Street Band | The Blow In’s | The Dark Well Project | The Haar |

The Kates | The New Americans | The Often Herd | The Outcast Crew |

The Porter Bellys | The Seeger Sessions Revival | The Wildwoods |

Tomáš Kočko & ORCHESTR | Tulua | Waleed Kush Afro-Jazz |

Whistle | William Jack | Yellofox

Now entering its fourth year, YRAS has grown into a key international gathering for the folk and roots community. Over 1,500 delegates are expected in 2026, with five days of showcases, panels, workshops, and networking in the heart of Belfast.

In addition to the Official Showcases, the conference will open with the Folk in Fusion concert at Waterfront Hall on January 13th. Featuring Grammy Award-winning country music legend Crystal Gayle, the full Folk in Fusion lineup will be announced later this year and will be ticketed separately.

Register now for Your Roots Are Showing at www.showingroots.com/register