Further to their first lineup announcement in January, Shrewsbury Folk Festival (23-26 August 2024) has revealed new names for this year’s already diverse lineup. They include South Africa’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo, singer songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman, Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening, The Wandering Hearts, The Hello Darlins, and more.
South Africa’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo, probably the world’s most famous choral group – were created by Joseph Shabalala following a dream he had in the early 1960s, many years before they came to international attention through Paul Simon’s 1986 album Graceland. Shabalala stayed as director, composer, and lead singer until 2008 when he retired. He said in a statement:
In the early 1960s I had a dream of a type of singing group that I wanted to create. Not just a dream, in the wishful way, but an actual dream while I was asleep. This beautiful dream led to the creation of my group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Now, some forty five plus years later this original dream has led to so many more dreams. We have been awarded Grammy Awards, represented our homeland of South Africa at many prestigious events, including accompanying Nelson Mandela to Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, traveled the world so many times and most importantly, spread a message of Peace, Love and Harmony to millions of people.
This was never a dream a black South African could ever imagine…
When once asked whether they would continue to tour, they responded, “We are the traveling musical academy for South African culture, and it is our responsibility to continue on this journey.”
Beth Nielsen Chapman‘s latest album, CrazyTown (2022), charted at Number One on the Official UK Country Chart and won praise from the music press, including KLOF Mag, which premiered Nielsen’s video for ‘Walk You to Heaven’ and declared the album ‘another solid offering’.
Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle should need no introduction. Jacqui has been a continual light in Pentangle from the beginning. While her core band includes Spencer Cozens, Gerry Conway, Alan Thomson, and Martin Winnings, frequent guest musicians also appear as they continue to explore their unique sound.
Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening released Cloud Horizons last year, a Featured Album of the Month on KLOF Mag. Billy Rough concluded his album review:
Aptly described as ‘Ancient Northumbrian Futurism’, Kathryn Tickell and The Darkening’s Cloud Horizons is electrifying and incredibly captivating. Tantamount here too, is a deep sense of experimentation, fluidity, and the sheer thrill of creating new sounds and songs. Despite a mood of wildness, the band are incredibly tight, and Cloud Horizons is a stimulating, enthusiastically optimistic, and thoroughly rewarding listening experience. In capturing a sound that effortlessly conjures the past whilst simultaneously referencing the present and future, Tickell and the Darkening have created a rather unique and striking soundscape.
You can also read our interview with Kathryn here.
Led by Romani-Canadian musician Candace Lacina and world-renowned keyboardist Mike Little, The Hello Darlins forge a distinct hybrid of country, gospel and blues. They released their highly anticipated debut album Go By Feel in 2021. In his review of the album on KLOF Mag, Mike Davies concluded: With their mix of Canadian and American influences, Lacina calls their sound North Americana; you might just settle for spellbinding. Their latest album, The Alders and The Ashes has just been released, which they say symbolises change and growth. “We’ve been through a lot over the past few years, personally and professionally. There were many new beginnings and a few painful endings – but it feels like a new season and it’s exciting”, says Candace.
Also added to the lineup are The Pleasures (Australia), who were Official Showcase artists at this year’s Folk Alliance International, Anthony John Clarke, Al O’Kane, and Multi-instrumentalist, Kora player, producer, composer, teacher and song-writer Suntou Susso. Here he is performing at a Nest Collective Campfire Session:
Artists already announced include Mary Black (Ireland), Eric Bibb (USA), Ward Thomas, Mànran, Le Vent du Nord (Canada), The Sentimentals (Denmark) with friends, Dream in Colors, The Longest Johns, El Pony Pisador (Spain), Suntou Susso Band, Ranagri, Joshua Burnell Band, Nati, The Hunch, Rosie Hood Band, Joli Blon, James Delarre & Saul Rose, Winter Wilson, The 309s, The Lost Notes and Patakas.
The all-important Shrewsbury dance lineup will be popular this year as one of the most famous English folk duos, Bellowhead founders Spiers & Boden, will lead a rare ceilidh performance from acclaimed folk duo Spiers & Boden. In 2021, John Spiers and Jon Boden reunited for their sublime and highly anticipated album Fallow Ground, what KLOF Mag’s Billy Rough called “a genuinely warm-hearted, exuberant, and life-affirming album”. Read our interview with them here.
There will be plenty of other ceilidhs and other social dances from Abrevyn and Bagas Fellyon, Banter, Cri du Canard, Club Débris, Crowdy Kit, EFDSS Ceilidh Band, James Delarre, Saul Rose & Dave Delarre, Monster Ceilidh Band, Tom Moore & Archie Churchill-Moss, Steamchicken and The Oakstone Trio.
Director Sandra Surtees said: “We are over the moon to have enticed Ladysmith Black Mambazo to Shrewsbury – it’s a real coup. They’ve been on our wish list for a very, very long time. Their sound is instantly recognisable from Paul Simon’s Graceland album and will add an extra dimension to the world music acts on our lineup.
“We pride ourselves on the variety of music we offer from around the world and are pleased to have secured two fabulous American singer songwriters, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Mary Gauthier, along with two festival first-time visitors – The Hello Darlins from Canada and The Pleasures from Australia.
“Closer to home, we know festivalgoers will be delighted to see Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle and Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening on the bill along with The Wandering Hearts and more new names. Our 2024 lineup really does have something for every music taste and there’s still more to come!”
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.