about the festival
This year's Shrewsbury Folk Festival is yet again promising a fantastic four day festival packed full of music, dance, and entertainment, all on one site near the heart of Shropshire's county town.

Now in its fifth year in Shrewsbury, the festival has built up a proud reputation as one of the country's leading folk events which blends traditional music with international artists.

The outstanding line-up for the August Bank Holiday weekend at the West Mid Showground includes supergroup the Afro Celt Sound System which has chosen Shrewsbury as one of its few festival appearances this year.

With appearances from Irish singer Cara Dillon and Billy Bragg, Ade Edmondson and the Bad Shepherds with their unique take on folk/punk, high energy performances from Bellowhead, and folk stalwarts Drever, McCusker, Woomble with Heidi Talbot and Boo Hewerdine, Dervish and Guests and the Michael McGoldrick Big Band the festival promises something for everyone.

Shrewsbury is also renowned for the international musicians it chooses to appear at the festival – this year is no exception with a welcome return for Argentina based Richard Shindell who will be making a rare appearance with Lucy Kaplansky.

Acclaimed Danish Blues and roots musician Hans Theessink will make the journey to Shrewsbury as will the young Norwegian band Majorstuen.

But it's more than just a music festival – there's also a packed programme of dance, workshops, and entertainment at the showground in Berwick Road from August 27 to 30.

The festival includes a strong traditional dance element with a dedicated dance marquee and a village stage for dance displays.

There’s also a children’s festival, a youth programme ‘Refolkus’ for 12 to 25 year-olds, a craft fair, a range of on-site caterers and bars that are the envy of many another festival, and events and music sessions around Shrewsbury.

Free on-site WiFi, free buses into town, an excellent on-site shop, a huge free car park, dance displays, an open mic competition, and friendly, helpful stewarding teams help to complete the atmostphere that keeps many festival goers coming back year after year.


the line-up
FRIDAY: Adrian Edmondson & The Bad Shepherds, Adrienne Young, Andy Wall, Fairfield, Jackie Oates, Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roaberts, Kimber’s Men, Koshka, Lucy Kaplansky, Michael McGoldrick Big Band, Mick Ryan & Paul Downes, OK Brandy, Penny Priest, Richard Shindell, The Kittiwakes, The Young’uns, Toothless Mary with Fee Lock.

SATURDAY: Adrienne Young, Andy Wall, Cara Dillon, Chuck Brodsky, Dartmoor Pixie Band with Sarah Bazeley, Dave Young & Dave Bordewey, Dervish & guests, Drever, McCusker, Woomble with Heidi Talbot and Boo Hewerdine, Elysium DJ ceilidh with Pete Rees & Phil Bassingdale, Fairfield, Heidi Talbot & Boo Hewerdine, Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts, Kimber’s Men, Koshka, Lucy Kaplansky, Mick Ryan & Paul Downes, OK Brandy, Penny Priest, Richard Shindell, Richard Shindell & Lucy Kaplansky, The Kittiwakes, The Navvy’s Wife, The Old Dance School, The Tom McConville Band, The Wilsons, The Young’uns, Whiskey River Boys, Winter Wilson.

SUNDAY: 422, Afro Celt Sound System, Billy Bragg, Calan, Chuck Brodsky, Dartmoor Pixie Band with Sarah Bazeley, Genticorum, Kerr, Fagan & Harbron, Kimber’s Men, Kristina Olsen & Peter Grayling, Nancy Kerr & James Fagan, Lucy Ward, Sam Carter, The Fay Hield Trio, The Old Dance School, The Wilsons, The Young’uns, Tickled Pink with Martyn Harvey, Tim Judson & Julia Disney, Tom Kitching & Gren Bartley

MONDAY: Bellowhead, Belshazzar’s Feast, Calan, Chuck Brodsky, Hans Theessink, John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett, Jon Boden, Kerfuffle, Kristina Olsen & Peter Grayling, Majorstuen, Mawkin:Causley, One Short, Star of the Sea, The Old Dance School, The Wilsons, Tom Kitching & Gren Bartley


watch the main stage live online
If you can't make it to the festival this year don't despair! Once again we will be broadcasting live video from the S P Holding main stage, plus we hope to bring additional footage from around the site.

Click here to watch the mainstage live online during the festival


keep in touch during the festival
Free WiFi is available over the whole festival site this year so you can check your emails and browse the web.

Twitter users: Follow Shrewsbury Folk Festival via @shrewsburyfolk and use hastag #sff10 in your tweets to join in the conversation.

Festival Blog: The festival blog contains up-to-date information about the festival, and allows you to add your own comments. View here.