Singer songwriter Billy Bragg has topped the bill in the first wave of artists announced for this year’s Shrewsbury Folk Festival – 25-28th August 2023. Bragg released his 13th studio album, The Million Things That Never Happened, in 2021, which included a co-write with his son. Now 65, the political singer songwriter still had plenty to say, highlighting what unites us rather than divides us.
Among the names announced are a number of other Folk Radio favourites:
Oysterband delivered Read the Sky in 2022, an album which led our reviewer Danny Neill to declare, “No one could have predicted the Oysterband returning with a song collection quite like ‘Read The Sky’. This is what you get when a band continue to make music for the best reasons. It’s a top-quality album worthy of the name.” (read our Review|Interview).
Breabach‘s latest album Fàs introduces significant new elements to their music while remaining in firm sight of their roots (read our review here).
Spiers & Boden made a dramatic comeback in 2021 with “Fallow Ground”. Folk Radio’s Billy Rough said, ‘At the heart of Spiers & Boden’s “Fallow Ground” is the utter joy of two friends making music together. It’s a joyful, exciting, and beautifully produced release and it’s so great to have them back.’ (Review | Interview).
Daphne’s Flight, featuring Helen Watson, Julie Matthews, Chris While, Melanie Harrold and Christine Collister, took to the wing again in 2020 for another stylistically and thematically varied collection. Mike Davies described ‘On Arrival’ as a terrific example of sisters doing it for themselves in their own ways and on their own terms, an arrival well worth breaking out the greeting banners for (reviewed here).
Also in 2020, Jiggy returned with Hypernova to pull off the same magic act, this time with an even larger cast of characters bringing yet more diversity and inspiration. An album that is a joy to listen to and is sure to have the audience dancing at Shrewsbury (reviewed here).
Talisk have been forging ahead over the past few years, with their last release, Dawn, released in 2022, and they recently shared a new video for their album track ‘Storm’.
Guinean Kora master N’Faly Kouyaté is probably best known in the UK as a member of the Afro Celt Sound System. Still, he has a new solo album on the horizon, an electro-pop album that also features traditional instruments and guests, including Tiken Jah Fakoly on Free Water.
Also, orginally from Guinea (Conakry) is N’famady Kouyaté who relocated to Cardiff in 2019. His primary instrument is the balafon, a traditional wooden xylophone sacred to West African culture and his griot heritage. He played at last year’s Sidmouth Folk Festival, including A Cellarful of Folkadelia, which was co-curated by Folk Radio.
In 2020, Leveret (featuring Andy Cutting on melodeon, Sam Sweeney on fiddle, and Rob Harbron on concertina) released their live album titled ‘Variations Live’, described on these pages as simultaneously harmonious, vital, timeless, and invigoratingly fresh, featuring three masters at work and clearly relishing the joy and companionship of playing together. For players and listeners, it genuinely doesn’t get much better than this. (review | interview).
Maddy Prior & Forgotten Lands is a new touring performance and workshop project from Maddy, Rose-Ellen Kemp, Bridie Jackson & Jerry King. Those that love singing will want to catch this as they showcase what the human voice can do and encourage you to sing too.
Also announced are The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican, The Salts and Dana Immanuel & The Stolen Band, who join the first line-up reveal for the Shropshire festival that will take place from Friday, August 25 to Monday, August 28.
Shrewsbury’s dance lineup has also been released with Lasair, Leveret performing a special 10th-anniversary ceilidh, Melrose Ceilidh Band, Old Spot, Oscina, Peeping Tom, Topette!! and Whapweasel signed up by organisers for its programme of ceilidhs and social dances.
Topette’s latest album ‘Bourdon’ was described on Folk Radio’s review as an album of delectably intoxicating grooves (read it here). In December, they premiered their video for ‘Just Heavy’.
Old Spot are a new Old-Time duo featuring Joe Danks and Rowan Piggott. The first video from Old Spot’s debut album (out in April 2023) sees earthy gourd banjo and the natural beauty of Padley Gorge underpinning the winding Old Time fiddle tune ‘Black Eyed Susie Jane’.
Morris and dance sides already confirmed are Beltane Border, Bower Street Morris, Chinewrde Morris, Crooked Moon Appalachian, Ironmen & Severn Gilders, JD & Folk, The Shropshire Bedlams & Martha Rhoden’s Tuppenny Dish, Shropshire Sharpshins Rapper and Tower Ravens Rapper.
Director of the award-winning festival, Sandra Surtees, said: “2023 is already shaping up to be a great lineup with an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary folk, world musicians and Americana that will offer something for everyone to enjoy across the four days of the festival.
“Ceilidhs and social dance is a hugely important part of the festival and we’re delighted to have some of the best bands around for our comprehensive dance programme. We’ll be announcing many more headliners and bands in the coming months as we count down the days until August Bank Holiday weekend.”
The festival has four live music stages, including open air and covered marquees, a dance tent for ceilidhs and dance shows and workshops, dedicated festivals for children and young people including music, dance, crafts and circus skills, workshops from yoga to songwriting, singarounds and music sessions.
There is also on-site camping and glamping, a food village and festival shop, craft fair and real ale, wine and cocktail bars.
Day and weekend tickets are on sale at www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk, starting from just £43 (including booking fee).