Shrewsbury Folk Festival make their first line-up announcement, revealing the first wave of artists for the 2024 festival that takes place over the late summer Bank Holiday from August 23 to August 26.
The four-day festival will play host to:
Mary Black, who celebrated her 40th Anniversary last year, marked by the release of her Duets album that included performances with Joan Baez, Paul Brady, Liam Clancy, Dolores Keane & Emmylou Harris, Finbat Furey, Mary Chapin Carpenter and more.
Two-time Grammy Award nominee and blues troubadour Eric Bibb, described by The Guardian as “…one of the finest American exponents of acoustic blues, an engaging performer and rousing guitarist who is blessed with a quite remarkable voice”.
Hampshire-duo Ward Thomas, dubbed the “Queens of British country music” by the Express. In 2023, they undertook a headline tour of the UK and are working on their sixth album. Talking about their career, they shared: “We look up to artists like Brandi Carlile, whose career has grown organically. Of course, we love success, but the artists we admire are the ones who keep showing up and don’t sell out. We do what we do because we love music and we have something to say.”
Other acts included in the initial line-up release are:
Sensational Scots Mànran, who are making their Shrewsbury debut. Their last album, Ùrar, was released in 2021 and was a Featured Album of the Month on Folk Radio. It saw their numbers grow by two additional members, the much in demand singer and song writer, Kim Carnie and Aidan Moodie, the guitarist and vocalist who’s made such an impact over the last couple of years with Gnoss.
The award-winning and highly acclaimed Le Vent du Nord are a leading force in Québec’s progressive francophone folk movement. The group’s vast repertoire draws from both traditional sources and original compositions while enhancing its hard-driving soulful music with a broad range of global influences.
Since its inception in August 2002, Le Vent du Nord has enjoyed meteoric success, performing well over 1,800 concerts over five continents and racking up several prestigious awards, including a Grand Prix du Disque Charles Cros, two Junos (Canada’s Grammys), a Félix at ADISQ, a Canadian Folk Music Award, and “Artist of the Year” at the North American Folk Alliance Annual Gala.
Here’s their Shrewsbury set from 2017:
Dream in Colors – a new festival band from Show of Hands Steve Knightley, Johnny Kalsi (Afro Celt Sound System, The Dhol Foundation), Eliza Marshall (Ranagri), and Bennet Cerven (The Trouble Notes).
Joshua Burnell Band, whose latest album, Glass Knight, was described by Folk Radio as his most daring and deeply rewarding album to date.
The Rosie Hood Band, whose latest album, A Seed of Gold, saw them building on the success of Rosie Hood’s debut release. In the words of Peter Shaw: She’s an incredibly adept storyteller, reflected in both the musical arrangements and her choices that, taken from the rich vein of both traditional and contemporary material, give voice to the poor and oppressed. This really is something very special.
The Longest Johns, Suntou Susso Band, Ranagri, Nati Dreddd, The Hunch, Cajun band Joli Blon, The 309s, The Lost Notes and duos James Delarre & Saul Rose, Winter Wilson, Harbottle & Jonas and Patakas.
Spanish band El Pony Pisador – who describe themselves as five young lads from Barcelona that mix traditional music from around the world.
Exclusively to Shrewsbury, Danish band The Sentimentals will celebrate 20 years of playing together with two special shows that will include guest appearances from some of their musical friends and heroes.
The first names for the Shrewsbury dance line-up have also been released, with Bellowhead founders and frontmen Spiers & Boden topping the bill for a rare ceilidh performance. In 2021, John Spiers and Jon Boden reunited for their sublime and highly anticipated album Fallow Ground, what Folk Radio’s Billy Rough called “a genuinely warm-hearted, exuberant, and life-affirming album”. Before this, the duo’s last album offering was a celebratory reworking of their ’greatest hits’ titled The Works in 2011, which featured Martin and Eliza Carthy, Andy Cutting, Maddy Prior and Martin Simpson.
As noted by Billy Rough in his album review, after The Works, Fallow Ground is “a stripped-back affair, but frankly, you don’t need much else with two experts. Combining Spiers on melodeon and concertina as well as occasional vocals, and Boden on lead vocals and fiddle, with the occasional stomp added in for good measure, and you have the makings of a thoroughly captivating and fetching treat.”
Also confirmed for ceilidhs and social dance to date are Banter, Cri du Canard, Crowdy Kit, The Dancing Mister, EFDSS Ceilidh Band, James Delarre, Saul Rose & Dave Delarre, Monster Ceilidh Band, Tom Moore & Archie Churchill-Moss, Steamchicken and The Oakstone Trio. Entertainer Dan the Hat will also make his first visit to Shrewsbury to entertain festivalgoers with scheduled and impromptu shows across the weekend.
Here are the Monster Ceilidh Band performing Magic Pepper live:
Director of the award-winning festival, Sandra Surtees, said: “Shrewsbury has a long-established reputation for its eclectic line-up allowing people to sample the best of British folk along with Americana, blues and world music along with one of most friendly and welcoming atmospheres on the festival circuit.
“Our festivalgoers love knowing that they will see their favourite bands but also discovering music that is new to them. The 2024 line-up so far always reflects that and we’re delighted with how it is shaping up with many, many more exciting UK and international acts to be revealed.”
She added: “As if the music on four stages wasn’t enough, there will be packed programmes for children and young people including music, dance, crafts and more, as well as more than 100 workshops for adults from yoga to crafting, instrument tuition, songwriting, dance, singarounds and music sessions.
“Couple that with brilliant food and five real ale, wine and cocktail bars, a craft fair and on-site camping and glamping, all set on a location close to the town, it’s a perfect festival experience for experienced and first-time festivalgoers.”
Day and weekend tickets are on sale at www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk, starting from just £43 with carer concessions and a three-month payment plan available.
A little glimpse of 2023’s festival: