Shrewsbury Folk Festival opening night review and pictures
It may seem as though the Shrewsbury Folk Festival has travelled just a short distance during its increasingly-impressive lifetime, writes Andy Richardson.
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It started out in humble fashion 20 miles from its present home. Back in the day, a few hundred ardent folkies descended each year on Bridgnorth, scuttling along Oldbury Wells to enjoy sessions in unprepossessing venues.
Having outgrown that, the festival relocated to Shrewsbury’s Quarry Park, where it proved so successful that it was forced to move for a final time to its present home at the Shropshire Showground.
- Click to the right of the image above for more festival photos
As the crow flies, that may seem like a short distance but, in fact, the Shrewsbury Folk Festival has travelled a million miles.
Today it’s firmly established as one of the nation’s finest events; a rabble-rousing annual hoedown for fans of acoustic, roots and folk.
It’s popular among the 6,000 fans who descend for their annual fix and it’s loved in similar measure by the galaxy of A-list artists who rate it alongside Blue Riband events like Cambridge Folk Festival.
During the coming weekend, some of the biggest names in folk – Richard Thompson, Kate Rusby, KT Tunstall and Show Of Hands – will thrill fans from across the UK.
The action began last night when Session A9 took to the main stage at a little after 7.30pm. The Scots were the perfect opening act, delighting fans with a musically accomplished, Bobby Dazzler set of Celtic reels. Deft interplay between smoking fiddles, acoustic guitar, percussion and guitar got the weekend off to an impressive start.
Second-on-the-bill Madison Violet were forced to pull out at the last minute due to a family illness, but stand-in Emily Barker proved a noteworthy replacement before the crowd-pleasing headliner Anxo Lorenzo took to the stage. The Galician piper offered an explosive end to the first night action, leaving fans eagerly-awaiting the days ahead.
The Shrewsbury Folk Festival is about much more than star performers, however, and its second stage offered equally impressive talents. The Jaywalkers, Jonathan Byrd, Lau and Vin Garbutt made for an impressive line-up, with Lau being the pick of the bunch.
The Scottish trio – Kris Drever, Aidan O’Rourke and Martin Green – are no strangers to Shrewsbury. Drever played a heart-warming set in recent times at The Hive, off Belmont, and a deep affection exists between the town and his band. They were imperious last night, bringing sublime melodies, exceptional instrumentation and heart-warming harmonies to the stage.
The rain fell throughout the evening, but fans were immune to the downpour. Inside the main tent, there was a sunshine mood as beautiful playing brought warmth to a dark autumnal night.
There was entertainment for all on the opening evening, with experienced amateur musicians delighting in a Beer Tent session; youngsters enjoying fun and games and Al Hewson leading a country-tinged singalong in the pavilion bar.
The party lasted well into the night as fans made the most of a good-natured atmosphere and enjoyed the impromptu sing-a-longs and sessions.
With much to look forward to across a busy weekend, the 6,000 fans at Shrewsbury Folk Festival are destined to enjoy a supremely entertaining weekend.
By Andy Richardson
Comments for: "Shrewsbury Folk Festival opening night review and pictures"
Sian
I have just seen hoards of marauding morris dancers. And then I saw a small quiet group of young football fans with scouser accents being escorted by the police down Pride Hill.
I wonder what treatment these boys would receive if they walked around town disguising themselves with blackened faces, wielding sticks and shouting Oi Oi Oi
Just a thought!
merc
Saw the fantastic 'Baskery' yesterday. 3 beautiful Swedish sisters with harmonies beyond compare, they fair ripped it up too with some great rockabilly/blues/pop influenced songs. Once again the real genuine good music is out there on stage live and touring, not in a studio in front of S*mon Co*ell and 6 million people who ought to know better.
Chris J
For me, Baskery were the biggest surprise of the festival, so talented and related so well to the audience. Brilliant!!
Keith
Loved the festival,especially Show of Hands,only saw a fraction of the acts,due to the fact that I have two dogs.I used to watch scores of bands,but since the exclusion of dogs from the marquee's,we dog owners feel ostracised.I believe exclusion was down to one incident.I heard a child had to be cut from a stand by firefighters this year,does this mean children will be banned from venues from now on.We had a wonderful last night in the pavillion,along with our dogs,folk came up and stroking our dogs and chatting to us about them.The 'jobs worth' who decided to ban dogs from venues needs to think again,they are part of the family.A number of us dog owners are considering a campaign at the 2013 festival.We might even consider contacting the Shropshire Star,regarding the dog ban.If you had an incident with an adult in a marquee,would you ban adults from the marquee's.Think again,or a campaign is in the offing!!!!!!