The Water Runners deliver tight harmonies, strong musicianship and great sense of fun combined to deliver a high-energy blend of newgrass-infused original Australian music. They feature: John Littrich (guitar, vocal, harmonica); Neil McCann (banjo, mandolin, vocals); Danita Harris (violin, vocals); Dom Littrich (percussion, vocals) and Clayton Condon (double bass).

The festival will be held at four venues in Pitt Street over two days and three nights, the feature more than 60 acts.

Timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, musicians aged from nine to 90 will thrill audiences with sounds from world beats, ballads, shanties, blues, bush music, bluegrass and newgrass all the way to Afro funk and Celtic punk.

The festival theme is: "The next generation of folk".

President of the Folk Federation NSW - which is presenting the event - Brian Jonathon said a truly urban folk festival was long overdue.

"There are scores of regional folk festivals across the country, where artists and audiences have to 'go bush'," he said.

"We thought it was time to bring the rich diversity of contemporary folk to town."