Old Friends-New Faces: Live Recordings From The 18th Australian National Folk Festival

Old Friends-New Faces was released in 1985 by Sidetrack, a label dedicated to capturing the grassroots energy of the Australian folk scene. This collection documents live performances from the 18th Australian National Folk Festival, an event that has served as a cornerstone for traditional and contemporary acoustic music in the country for decades. By focusing on the 1985 festival, the record preserves a snapshot of the interplay between established folk icons and the emerging talent of the era.

The album reflects the community-oriented design ethos typical of independent folk recordings from the mid-eighties. Its production was intended to serve as a souvenir for attendees and an archival document of the diverse musical styles—ranging from Celtic-influenced instrumentals to topical singer-songwriter pieces—that defined the festival's aesthetic during this period. The artwork and curation were handled by those closely involved with the festival organization, prioritizing an authentic representation of the live experience over polished studio artifice.