Blistering set as curtain falls on Shrewsbury Folk Festival
A blistering live set from stand-in headliners The Treacherous Orchestra brought the curtain down on Shrewsbury's most successful folk festival to date.
Six thousand revellers made their way home from the site yesterday evening, following a riotous four-day celebration of the best of folk, roots and acoustic music.
The Treacherous Orchestra were billeted to the main stage when intended headline star KT Tunstall withdrew on Sunday evening following the death of her father.
The new headliners did not disappoint as they whipped up a storm in the main marquee.
On stage two, there was an unexpected treat with the Jim Moray Folk Slam headlined, involving Jim Moray, Nick Cooke, Hannah James, the Rua MacMillan Trio,
Jonathan Byrd, Caroline Herring the Sweetback Sisters and special guest Maddy Prior, who had never previously appeared at the festival. The Slam received a standing ovation.
Yesterday's entertainment provided a fitting finale to a weekend in which the best of music, dance and food mingled in a beautifully decorated Shropshire Showground, where vast marquees were surrounded by colourful flags and equally colourful revellers.
Professional and amateur players were able to share the same space, as impromptu workshops and sessions took place throughout the weekend.
Festival spokeswoman Jo Cunningham said: "We've had an incredible weekend. There have been some really big names here – Kate Rusby, Richard Thompson, Show of Hands, Anxo Lorenzo, Karine Polwart and many more besides – it's been thrilling.
"We'll take down our marquees and flags and start planning for 2013."
