Shrewsbury Folk Festival (25-28 August) has announced a further wave of artists for this year’s festival lineup, including:
Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joachim Cooder (son of Ry Cooder), most recently made his label debut with Nonesuch in 2020 with Over That Road I’m Bound which features songs from country-music progenitor and banjo player Uncle Dave Macon.
Macon was arguably as seminal a figure in the evolution of American music as Jimmie Rodgers, his place in the pantheon affirmed by Ken Burns’ recent country documentary series. Cooder explains his introduction to this music: “My dad would play the banjo a lot and he would sing a couple of these tunes. I gathered from him he had heard Pete Seeger play Uncle Dave’s songs and that Seeger was a big proponent of his music. There was one song in particular, ‘Morning Blues’, that I remember being drawn to as a little boy.” Years later, as an adult, he reconnected with Macon’s music.
Cooder culled songs from Macon’s vast catalogue and recorded them with his band and special guests: Ry Cooder (banjo, guitar, bass, backing vocals), Rayna Gellert (fiddle), Juliette Commagere (backing vocals), Sam Gendel (bass), Glenn Patscha (piano and pump organ), Amir Yaghmai (yali tambur), Dan Gellert (banjo and fiddle), and Vieux Farka Touré (guitar).
Also announced is the Irish folk singer, songwriter, harpist, philanthropist and the “first lady of Celtic music”, Moya Brennan, who was presented a lifetime achievement award by President Michael D. Higgins at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards in 2019. Moya’s family formed Clannad in 1970, with whom she performed as lead singer and harpist. She also pursued a successful solo career, releasing her debut solo album Máire in 1992. Here they are, performing live in celebration of their career-spanning anthology ‘In A Lifetime’, which celebrated Clannad’s 50-year career.
While Nordic folk trio Dreamers’ Circus are no strangers to Scotland, this will be their first gig in England. We first wrote about the trio featuring Nikolaj Busk (piano and accordion), Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen (violin) and Ale Carr (Cittern) in 2015 when they received a standing ovation at Celtic Connections. We shortly followed that with a review of ‘Second Movement’, on which Neil McFadyen concludes: Dreamer’s Circus have proven they will refuse, gleefully, to be restricted by genre or by tradition. Their approach is all-embracing, and their technical ability is simply outstanding. Their music is completely accessible and, at the same time, remarkable in its complexity.
Also added to the lineup for the August Bank Holiday event are The Cathy Jordan Trio, a solo set from Scott Doonican of The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican, and Reg Meuross with Suntou Susso and Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne. They will be performing songs from Stolen From God (reviewed here)– described by Mike Davies as his masterpiece in a song cycle that turns an unflinching eye on the toxic legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, especially in his home in the South West of England.
The Hanging Stars will also be appearing – their last three albums saw them teetering on greatness. Wearing their cosmic country and late 60s West Coast folk-rock influences on their sleeve, their latest offering, Hollow Heart, should, according to Mike Daies, rightly push them over the edge; it’s their best yet (read his review here).
Having recently released her debut album ‘Hlywing’, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Ruth Angell. The album was released in February and drew high praise from Ashley Hutchings, with whom she has worked on a number of his
projects, both band and trio formats. He describes Hlywing as ”a truly wonderful album from my dear friend and
terrific musician Ruth Angell who I frequently turn to in performance and recording as an important collaborator in
my projects. On this her new album her talent as a singer, songwriter and musician is plain for all to see to enjoy”.
Shrewsbury’s extensive lineup of folk, Americana and world music already includes Billy Bragg, Oysterband, Breabach, Jiggy, The Dhol Foundation DJ Set, Elephant Sessions, California-based roots band Dustbowl Revival, a solo show from Show of Hands frontman Steve Knightley, Spiers & Boden, Talisk, Baskery, Gigspanner Big Band, Daphne’s Flight, kora master N’Faly Kouyaté (Afro Celt Sound System), Maddy Prior & Forgotten Lands, Elles Bailey, Leveret, N’famady Kouyaté, The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican, The Salts and Dana Immanuel & The Stolen Band, global folk collective Mishra, Good Habits, True Foxes, The Honeybees, Rapsquillion and North East folk collective Howay The Lasses.
The dance programme offers ceilidhs, American, Contra, Cajun, Cornish and Euro dance with 12 dance bands – Bagas Fallyon, The Canny Band, The EFDSS Ceilidh Band,
Lasair, an exclusive special 10th-anniversary ceilidh from Leveret, Lil Jim, Melrose Ceilidh Band, Old Spot, Oscina, Peeping Tom, Topette!! and Whapweasel.
Director of the award-winning festival, Sandra Surtees, said: “With just under three months to go, we’re putting the finishing touches to what is shaping up to be an amazing year with a few more headliners to come yet!
“There’s a wide variety of music from traditional folk to Americana and international performers combining to offer a diverse and eclectic lineup to suit all tastes. And, as ever, you can do as little or as much as you like with workshops and activities for all ages.
“It’s all brought together in our festival village on a fabulous riverside site within walking distance of the town, making it a great option for those who want to explore Shrewsbury and all it has to offer too.”
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 crafting, singarounds and music sessions.
There is also on-site camping and glamping, a food village and festival shop, a 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).