Gearing up for Shrewsbury Folk Festival
Andy Richardson previews this weekend's Shrewsbury Folk Festival which has some of the biggest names in roots and acoustic music on the bill over the next four days
The world's best roots artists will descend on Shrewsbury this evening to start a four-day celebration at the town's annual folk festival.
Shrewsbury Folk Festival will feature stars from around the world at the County Showground until Monday.
Festival boss Alan Surtees said: "We are back again, brimming with new ideas for 2013. We have some terrific artists confirmed.
"You can expect some of the top names from across the world, top names from the UK, and some of our best local talent. Most of all, we have tried to find performers and combinations of artists that you wouldn't necessarily find at other events – there are many festivals so we want you to expect something unique at Shrewsbury."
Mr Surtees said Shrewsbury delighted in being different from other events around the UK.
He said: "Festivals should reinforce your enjoyment of existing performers and send you on a voyage of discovery, and that is what Shrewsbury Folk Festival is all about.
"We are improving our existing festival site with the support of our local councils, and taking steps to make your holiday at Shrewsbury Folk Festival more comfortable and more exciting whether you are coming alone or with friends and family.
"We want this to be a place where you can feel welcome as an experienced folkie or a complete newcomer.
"SFF is organised by a dedicated group of enthusiasts so there's no corporate planning here, just a love of music and dance. We hope that enthusiasm shows through in what we present and how we present it."
This year's line up will feature headline sets by big name acts like Afro Celt Sound System, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Be Good Tanyas, Capercaillie, Oysterband, Bright Phoebus, Heidi Talbot, Barnstar, Nidi D'Arac, Tim O'Brien, Eddi Reader, Steve Knightley and the Nic Jones Trio.
The festival has established itself as one of the UK's biggest events and Steve Knightley has described it as being the best there is.
It will feature a number of bands on the undercard with Jim Moray's Folk Slam, Martyn Joseph, Fay Hield and the Hurricane Party, Mark Erelli, Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, Jez Lowe, Lucy Ward, Sam Carter, Melrose Quartet, Lori Watson and the Rule of Three and Blue Rose Code.
There will also be sets from Colvin Quarmby, Doyle and Debbie, Luke Jackson, Elbow Jane, James Riley, Jess and Richard Arrowsmith, Keith Donnelly, Lady Maisery, Moor, Moss and Rutter, Randolph Matthews and Byron Johnston and Something Nasty in the Woodshed.
The line-up will be completed by The Wilsons, Ursula Holden Gill, David Gibb and Elly Lucas, Grimaldi Band, Jinksi, The QF, The Keelers, Roger Davies, Blue Horyzon, Joe Gallagher, Madeleine Vaughan and Richard Hill.
The event will also shine the spotlight on dance.
Mr Surtees added: "The last few years have seen dance grow to become a major part of the festival – with both social and display dance taking on a prominent role in our event.
"Our ceilidh marquee is one of the finest dance tents in the country. With a totally flat floor spanning the whole marquee and masses of space for dancing we have the perfect environment for dancers.
"Alongside social dance we have great display dancing running through our programme, from the best morris sides to Appalachian clogging and our unique mainstage dance commissioned extravaganzas 'Global Dance'."
The folk festival will take over parts of Shrewsbury town centre with activities planned for The Square, St Mary's Church, St Alkmonds, Pride Hill and back on the showground.
There will also be plenty of fun for children, with a dedicated programme for kids.
Mr Surtees said: "Our programme for kids has grown in the last couple of years, and the younger festivalgoer can journey into another world of creativity and excitement that is packed with activities, theatre, storytelling, circus skills and music.
"From its hub just off the main area, the kid's zone is close to the village stage and perfectly positioned for parents and children to have fun together, safely tucked in an area of the site, but close enough to the action for it to be a real part of the event.
"It will all culminate in performances on the village stage and a magical lantern procession around the site on the Sunday night, where musicians, morris sides and children proudly parade around the site displaying the fruits of their labours."
More details are at www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk
