Shrewsbury Folk Festival

Richard Thompson
www.richardthompson-music.com | LISTEN (v)
Over the past 40 years, and from the early days of Fairport Convention, Richard Thompson has proved himself to be one of the most consistent and eclectic artists on the folk scene both here and in the US.

The Duhks
www.duhks.com | LISTEN (v)
Winnipeg based 5 piece, The Duhks (pronounced 'Ducks') have quickly become one of the hottest festival acts on the North American circuit

Bellowhead
www.bellowhead.co.uk | LISTEN (v)
Having taken the English folk world and festival season by storm over the past 3 years, inviting Bellowhead back to Shrewsbury was one of the easiest decisions we’ve made.

Oysterband
www.oysterband.co.uk | LISTEN
Festival patron John Jones brings the legendary folk/rock band back to Shrewsbury in 2008, and they never fail to impress with their full on performances full of great songs and charismatic performances.

Lunasa
www.lunasa.ie | LISTEN (v)
One of the most highly rated contemporary Irish instrumental bands, their technically brilliant playing and spirited live shows have made them one of the most sought after festival acts the world over.

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
www.ukuleleorchestra.com | LISTEN (v)
Seven piece UOGB are a group of all singing, all strumming Ukulele players who believe that any style or genre of music is open for reinterpretation and is likely to sound better arranged exclusively for Ukes.

The Demon Barber Roadshow
www.thedemonbarbers.com (v)
Over the past 5 years or so The Demon Barbers have been at the forefront of young English folk music.

The Doonan Family Band
www.doonanfamilyband.co.uk
The Doonans’ opened our first festival in Shrewsbury and it’s fitting that they’re back to open the 2008 event.

Boka Halat
www.tradarts.org/boka.htm
Boka Halat are a dance and concert band who mix traditional English music with cross-cultural rhythms from all over the world.

Pete Lockett & Joji Hirota
www.jojihirota.com/en/tabla.html (v)
Pete Lockett and Joji Hirota are two of the most prolific, diverse and dynamic percussionists you will ever see.

Máire Ní Chathasaigh and Chris Newman
www.obm.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
Celebrated harp and guitar duo bring their virtuoso partnership to Shrewsbury; Máire is one of the most influential and original exponents of the Irish harp and Chris Newman is an extraordinary acoustic guitarist.

Eilen Jewell Band
www.eilenjewell.com | LISTEN (v)
Boston based Eilen (rhymes with feelin') brings her band for their first UK festival appearance.

Tim Van Eyken Band
www.timvaneyken.co.uk | LISTEN
Since forming his concert band ‘Van Eyken’, Tim has taken his group of musicians all over the UK from the largest festivals through to the smallest halls.

New Rope String Band
www.newropestringband.co.uk (v)
The New Rope String Band are a superb festival band, mixing brilliant musicianship with winning comedy is always going to wow festival audiences and the NRSB are one of the very best.

Kerr Fagan Harbron
www.kerrfagan.com
Festival favourites Nancy Kerr & James Fagan have formed a new trio with Rob Harbron, and we're pleased to have both the trio and Nancy & James as a duo playing at Shrewsbury in 2008

ColvinQuarmby
www.colvinquarmby.co.uk (v)
Established favourites on the UK festival scene, 4 piece CQ present acoustic folk/rock pieces that are guaranteed to create an impact with any audience.

Rory McLeod
www.rorymcleod.com (v)
One of the most distinct artists on the UK folk circuit, Rory has a catalogue of varied and engaging albums that show him as a true modern day troubadour.

Steve Tilston
www.steve-tilston.co.uk | LISTEN (v)
One of Britain's finest singer / songwriters, Steve Tilston is respected and admired by critics, fellow musicians and fans alike.

The Wilsons
One of our all time favourites and one of the most loved and respected a cappella groups on the British traditional folk circuit.

Elbow Jane
www.elbowjane.com | LISTEN (v)
Elbow Jane are an excellent English 5 piece acoustic/folk band who form their sound from a traditional range of instrumentation including guitars, bazouki, mandolin, piano, bass, percussion and vocals.

Pete Morton
www.petemorton.com
One of England's finest and most underrated singer/songwriters, Pete Morton is an artist who has one foot in the tradition but also presents songs with a real contemporary edge.

Bella Hardy Trio
www.bellahardy.com
Although Bella has played some of the UK's biggest festival stages with 'The Pack', and 'Ola', the last couple of years have seen her emerge as a solo artist.

John Wesley Harding
www.johnwesleyharding.com | LISTEN (v)
A Brit now living in New York, John Wesley Harding (real name Wesley Stace) has successful careers as both a musician and an author.

Breabach
www.breabach.com | LISTEN (v)
Young Scottish firebrands Breabach are one of the most talked about new acts on the folk scene.

Sheelanagig
www.sheelanagig.co.uk (v)
Acoustic world-folk group Sheelanagig take a huge range of world tunes and rhythms and mix them into a dazzling, high energy and unforgettable concert show.

Mary Humphreys & Anahata
www.treewind.co.uk/mha
Mary and Anahata are exceptional musicians and performers and certainly one the best duos delivering English folk music in the UK.

Cloudstreet
www.cloudstreet.org (v)
Cloudstreet have brought something very special to the English folk scene, a resurgence of the traditional English ballad, and that is because they do ballads better than anyone currently appearing in the UK.

Kerfuffle
www.kerfuffleonline.co.uk (v)
Having played a stunning set at our 2007 festival, inviting Kerfuffle back was an easy decision as the young traditional quartet won over a packed main stage audience with a balanced set of songs, tunes and memorable dancing from Hannah James.

4 Square
A welcome return from the 2007 festival, 4Square were brilliant last year, not only were their concerts good, but they worked hard and really became part of our festival family.

Ceridwen Davies
www.myspace.com/ceridwendavies
Ceri is a young fiddle player with a maturity that belies her age

Whole Hearted
Remember Ramskyte? Well John Bartlett and Pete Luscombe who used to be part of that magnificent group are now appearing together as “Whole Hearted”.

Craig Morgan Robson
www.cmr-harmony.org.uk
Since getting together in late 2003 Moira Craig, Sarah Morgan and Carolyn Robson have been performing together as one of the UK's leading acapella trios.

Kimber's Men
www.joestead.com
Originally formed in 2001 Kimber’s Men are one of the finest shanty groups in Britain.

Ian Bruce
Ian Bruce is firmly established as one of the great singer/songwriters of the Scottish Folk Movement.

The Orchard Family
Tom, Jean and Ashley Orchard come from Gypsy stock and now live at Holsworthy in North Devon.

Nuada
www.nuada.net
Nuada are a trio of Ruth Bramley, Sam Burke and Ferris Jay that play a mixture of French, Folk and early Medieval music.

Monkey’s Orphan
www.monkeysorphan.co.uk
If shanties, sea songs and salty stories are your thing then Monkeys Orphan will be just the ticket!

Four Hand Reel
www.fourhandreel.co.uk
Dorset based duo Four Hand Reel are Julian Gurr and Andy Stone who play mandolin and guitar.

The Boat Band
www.harbourtownrecords.com
Years of shows in Britain and beyond has given the Boat Band a repertoire that is huge and varied.

Line Up