Press Release

The 43rd annual 3-day Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music and Dance will be held on June 23, 24 & 25, 2023 at the Altamont Fairgrounds, in Altamont, NY near Albany, NY.

Old Songs is a family-friendly festival of folk, traditional, Celtic and world music and dance, known for its relaxed atmosphere, interactive sessions and workshops, hands-on experience and participatory nature. In addition to evening concerts each night, there are over 100 daytime workshops, dances, and performances. Also featured are craft, food and instrument vendors, and a well-run children’s activity area.

There are three main stage concerts, each featuring multiple artists on Friday & Saturday from 6:30 -11 pm, and Sunday 3:30 – 7 pm in the leafy, open-air main stage area (rain site also provided).

Music with Roots! Old Songs celebrates Folk, Celtic, Quebecois, Roots, Americana, and World music; from Ireland, Scotland, England, Quebec, Italy, India, the Midwest, Appalachia, New England, and more. Hear traditional, fusion, and new music from Contemporary Musicians, Singers and Songwriters.

Sing, Dance, Jam, and Listen at this highly participatory event for the whole family, Old Songs encourages audience members to join jam sessions, take part in learn-how sessions, classes, sing sacred harp, or move their feet to our great dance bands.

School-age children who play an instrument can participate in the “Great Groove Band” during the festival with the help of music coaches and musical instruction. The band does a stage performance on Sunday.

Listen to featured performers, representing many regions and countries: Guy Davis • Jake Blount • Low Lily • Rum Ragged • Beppe Gambetta • Cantrip • Tret Fure • Bruce Molsky • Anne Hills & Al Power • Scott Ainslie • Windborne • Grosse Isle • Gangspil • Steve Gillette • Anita Best & Pamela Morgan • Evie Ladin • Máire Ní Chathasaigh & Chris Newman • The Gaslight Tinkers • Cloud Ten • Jim Gaudet & the Railroad Boys • Rev. Robert B. Jones & Matt Watroba • Sara Grey & Kieron Means • Sara Milonovich & Daisycutter • The Vox Hunters & Flannery Brown • Forty Degrees South • Andy Cohen • Magpie • John Roberts • The Gawler Sisters with Bennett Konesni & Ethan Tischler • Geoff Kaufman • John Kirk & Trish Miller • Corner House • Alex Cumming • Ben Sachs-Hamilton • Dirty Blue Shirts • Deirdre & Sean Murtha • The Great Groove Band • George Wilson • Selma Kaplan • Alan Thomson • Pokingbrook Morris • Stefan Amidon • Chris Koldewey • John Dickson • Ron Gordon • Jake Thomas • Roger the Jester • and more!