Shrewsbury Folk Festival 2024

The Shrewsbury Folk Festival is a four day event blending a tradition of folk music and dance and offers musical and cultural diversity in a family friendly format with something for everyone, and a chance to discover new artists from the UK and around the world happening from Friday 23rd until Monday 26th August 2024 at the West Mid Showground in Berwick Rd, Shrewsbury.

Traditionally the festival has four main music stages, a dance tent with a programme including ceilidhs, workshops and dance shows, children and youth festivals, workshops, craft fair, food village, real ale, cocktail and gin bars and on-site camping and glamping. There are also fringe events at local pubs with dance displays in the town centre and a parade through the streets on the Saturday afternoon.

(Picture by Steve Lacey Photography)

Line-up

The four-day festival will play host to South Africa's Ladysmith Black Mambazo, singer songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman (USA), Jacqui McShee's Pentangle,  Grammy nominated Mary Gauthier (USA), Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening, The Wandering Hearts, The Hello Darlins' (Canada), The Pleasures (Australia), and solo sets from Suntou Susso, Anthony John Clarke and Al O'Kane are among the names confirmed for the Shrewsbury Folk Festival August Bank Holiday line-up. The sensational  Elkie Brooks will headline the closing day (Monday) with American bluegrass hip hop band Gangstagrass will close the festival's Severn stage onFriday; Scotland's Peatbog Faeries doing the honours on Saturday.

Shrewsbury's diverse line up of folk, Americana and world music also includes Mary Black (Ireland), Eric Bibb (USA), Ward Thomas, Mànran, Le Vent du Nord (Canada), The Sentimentals (Denmark) with friends Stephen Fearing, Jonathan Byrd and Mary Gauthier, 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, The Celtic Social Club, London Afrobeat Collective, Bella Hardy, HEISK, The Magpies, Lady Nade, Roswell, Sidiki Jobarteh Trio, Mazula and Patakas.

The Shrewsbury dance line-up will feature acclaimed folk pairing Spiers & Boden topping the bill for a rare ceilidh performance. 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.

 

Tickets

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2024 day & weekend tickets are on sale now, currently priced as follows:-
adult weekend no camping: £180.09 incl fees
adult weekend with camping: £211.14 incl fees
Family, youth, child, and day tickets are also available.

Facilities

This venue is flat, has tarmac roadways throughout and there is ample free parking. There are also flushing toilets and showers, and buildings for workshops and sessions plus improved access for those with disabilities.

Other additions to the festival include an on-site shop, a shuttle bus service into Shrewsbury town centre, seated marquees, and an increased capacity. There will still be a bar selling real ales and caterers selling a wide variety of food but it is worth noting that ticketing policy.

Camping

Camping is all on-site allowing festival goers access to all venues and activities.

Dogs

Dogs are very welcome at the festival but are not allowed in venues unless they are assistance dogs.

Charity

Every year, it supports its charity partner Hope House Hospice to fund its music therapy sessions for children with life limiting illnesses at the Morda based centre.

Shrewsbury Folk Festival has revealed plans for a £150,000 project called Room For All that will include bringing world dance and music to Shropshire schools. The festival will develop and run a two-year programme of activities for musicians, dancers, schoolchildren and communities across Shropshire under the umbrella of its new All Together Now initiative. A number of refugee musicians involved will premiere at the festival.

More information will be here when available.

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