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- What not to miss at Shrewsbury Folk Festival 2024
What not to miss at Shrewsbury Folk Festival 2024
Since the festival began, our line-up has diversified to include Americana, world music and, this year, a little bit of country - so while we’re still called a ‘folk’ festival, there’s a lot more to experience musically.
Our regular festivalgoers – more than 80 per cent of our visitors come back year in year out - know they’ll be able to enjoy their favourite bands but that they’ll also discover music and artists that are new to them. Here’s a day-by-day look at some of the treats in store.
Friday 23rd
Kicking off the Village stage – handily located in the centre of our shopping village - will be The Pleasures, an Australian band currently making waves here and in the US with their own Antipodean brand of Americana.
Chart topping twins Ward Thomas will make their Shrewsbury debut on our eye-catching open air Severn stage – their catchy country pop will set the tone for the weekend as we get into the festival mood as the sun starts to go down.
Then there’s the legendary South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who shot to fame after appearing on Paul Simon’s career defining solo album, Graceland. Being able to entice them to Shrewsbury has been a long-held dream of our festival director Sandra so that will undoubtedly be a very special show.
The London Afrobeat Collective will bring the party vibe to our Pengwern stage with one of the bands behind the modern folk revival - Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle – headlining that stage on Friday evening.
Meanwhile, closing the night in the Sabrina marque with their take on traditional folk will be the all-female Rosie Hood Band.
Saturday 24th
You’re spoilt for choice on Saturday with 21 different concerts across our four stages. Among the eclectic line-up is trad folk former BBC Folk Singer of the Year Bella Hardy, world music from Gambian kora player Suntou Susso, emerging star Sidiki Jobarteh with his trio, and a dose of foot stompin’ Cajun rhythms from Joli Blon.
Add the dulcet tones of Scottish songstress NATI (if you’re on TikTok you’ll know her!), The Wandering Hearts and their West Coast USA-inspired vibe, some rousing sea shanties from The Longest Johns and Canadian band Le Vent du Nord with their infectious Quebecois music, and it’s quite a day. It’ll be rounded off by the Scottish trad dance trailblazers Peatbog Faeries on the Severn stage.
Sunday 25th
This is definitely no day of rest, with Sunday’s offering including two of America’s finest singer songwriters: Beth Nielsen Chapman and Mary Gauthier. Kathryn Tickell and The Darkening will bring English folk to the mix with the sunshine sound of South Africa coming from Mazula on the Village stage, or there’s the chance to sample sea shanties with a twist from Spanish band El Pony Pisador.
In the evening, the bill includes all-female band HEISK, who’ll deliver their vibrant and energetic take on traditional Scottish folk on the Severn stage with blues troubadour Eric Bibb closing the night. Elsewhere, Danish band The Sentimentals will mark their 20th anniversary of music making together with an exclusive show, featuring some of their friends and heroes including Mary Gauthier.
Monday 26th
As we prepare to say goodbye to our ‘little piece of heaven’ (Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2 / 6 Music) for another year, there’s another varied line-up for the final afternoon of concerts.
Irish legend (this is definitely the right word to use here) Mary Black will make her festival debut as will American band The Hello Darlins’. Lady Nade makes a welcome return with her fusion of folk, Americana, soul, jazz, blues and roots. The Magpies, the all-female trad folk trio, will close out the festival on the Sabrina marquee with Gaelic folk supergroup Mànran, internationally recognised as one of the most iconic and respected Scottish bands on the road today, guaranteed to get the audience on their feet.
A magnificent weekend of music will be crowned by none other the British queen of blues, Elkie Brooks. Still in incredible voice as she prepares to close the door on her career after more than 60 years in music, expect an array of her chart-topping hits Pearl's A Singer, Lilac Wine, Fool (If You think It's Over), and Don't Cry Out Loud with blues, rock and jazz to bring festivities to a close in style.
All the fun of the festival
While the line-up is undoubtedly impressive - even though I say so myself - there’s so much more to the festival than just music.
There’s a dance tent for ceilidhs, workshops and shows where you can party ’til late, dedicated festivals-within-a-festival for the kids and teens to keep them busy with music, dance, crafts, circus skills, silent discos and much, much more. Add to that workshops and activities from yoga, crafting and countryside walks to singarounds and music sessions and it’s an action packed weekend. And all of that is included in your ticket price!
An artisan shopping arena, fabulous food village, real ale and cocktail bars with on-site camping and glamping top off the perfect festival experience.
- Day and weekend tickets (with or without camping) start from £43 and are on sale at shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk
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