There are quite a lot of folk festivals in the United Kingdoms, some of which have been held for decades. However, the Shrewsbury Folk Festival doesn’t have such a long history as it was founded in 2006. It was a direct successor of the Bridgnorth Folk Festival, which was launched in 1997 by Alan and Sandra Surtees, who now manage the Shrewsbury Folk Festival as its co-directors.
The festival line-up includes both established national and international performers and emerging musicians who have yet to get their big break. Notable artists and bands who have performed at the Shrewsbury Folk Festival include Seth Lakeman, Paul Brady, Salsa Celtica, Martyn Joseph, Nic Jones, Jon Boden, Jackie Oates, Caroline Herring, Eddi Reader, Oysterband, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Afro Celt Sound Systems, and many more.
Live music performances aren’t all that the festival has to offer. Traditional dance is an important element of the Shrewsbury Folk Festival. Traditional dance teams from all over the United Kingdom perform on the Village Stage, in the Dance Tent and around the festival site. Along with performances, there are dance workshops for the audience accompanied by live music. On the Saturday evening, Morris dance sides perform in front of the Old Market Hall and on the grounds of the Shrewsbury Castle.
Alongside live music and dance, the program of the Shrewsbury Folk Festival includes an impressive selection of workshops where you can try your hand at everything, from dance and yoga to arts and crafts, the Children’s Festival, the Youth Festival, special projects, sessions, and more. One of the festival’s main highlights is the Open Mic competition open to festival-goers of all ages.
Along with the festival itself, the Shrewsbury Folk Festival also runs a schools project. Every June, traditional folk groups work in primary schools throughout Shropshire for a week. After working intensively with established musicians, a group of 30 children perform on stage with the band at the festival.
Photo: shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk
