American Grammy Award-winner Patty Griffin, Australian songwriting legend Don Walker and Austrian hang player Manu Delago are the first names on the line-up for the 41^st running of the event, which will take place on March 10-13, 2017.

It will be the first Folkie with new festival director Caroline Moore in charge, who replaces Jamie McKew.

Griffin has won two Grammys from six nominations and her songs have been covered by artists including Bette Midler, Emmy Lou Harris, and Missy Higgins.

Walker is best known for his work with Cold Chisel and is regarded as one of Australia’s best songwriters. 

Delago is considered one of world’s best players of the hang – a melodic percussion instrument.

Subscriber tickets, which usually sell out within 24 hours, go on sale on September 12.

A further 14 acts will also be announced on that day.

General tickets go on sale on September 16.

As well as Griffin, Walker, and Delago, the Folkie will also have a strong arts and culture component in 2017, which include a visual arts exhibition by Reg Mombassa and brother Pete O’Doherty. Mombassa has also designed the 41^st Folkie poster.

“I’m excited by the potential of the artistic collaborations that will happen only at Port Fairy this year,” Moore said.

“There will be some very special one-off events that won’t be repeated ever again.”