Shrewsbury Folk Festival 2018, West Midlands Showground, Shrewsbury - 24th August 2018

The whole event has excellent quality and variety of music and is very well organised and accessible. This made the weekend enjoyable and comfortable. We bought tickets for the 3 days and camped and will keep going back.

Posted by Australian on 15/09/2018

Shrewsbury Folk Festival 2018, West Midlands Showground, Shrewsbury - 24th August 2018

Felt the overall musical standard/calibre of bands fell well short of last two years though still enjoyed this friendly and well organised festival. Would have liked to have listened to more contemporary folk and Americana. From a personal point of view Gretchen Peters and her fabulous backing band stood head and shoulders above all other acts.

Posted anonymously on 05/09/2018

Shrewsbury Folk Festival 2018, West Midlands Showground, Shrewsbury - 24th August 2018

The good news is that this year they've reorganised the campsite, so spaces are much easier to find. Added to this, the line-up was an absolute dream, with something for everyone. Folk is a broad church and not easily defined: it can include unaccompanied traditional songs to raucous electric jazz. This festival had all that, and everything in between.
Outstanding performances in a glittering playlist included veteran band Show of Hands, even more veteran electric folk innovators Steeleye Span, Irish traditionalist Daori Farrell, jock-rockers Skerryvore, wonderful Gretchen Peters and young, incredibly talented musicians Na Leani. A moving and heartfelt set was delivered by The Passerine, a band of women refugees and migrants led by established duo O'Hooley and Tidow, and Scots band Shooglenifty combined with Indian drummers and singers Dhun Dhora - magical!
Lots more to enjoy, including the indefinable Shrewsbury vibe, which makes everybody relaxed, friendly and happy. Any negatives? Well, I wondered what Steve Harley was doing at a folk festival - the church isn't that broad, surely? - and the Tuneworks sessions have vastly outgrown the beer tent, leaving no room for thirsty punters at times. But that's all. Apart from the fact that the festival should last a week and be available on the NHS as a sure cure for depression.

Posted by Jack Falstaff on 04/09/2018

Shrewsbury Folk Festival 2018, West Midlands Showground, Shrewsbury - 24th August 2018

The event was excellent and the weather was quite kind to us.
This year The Belstone tent seemed to have larger gaps between events.
The showground filled up very quickly and the event was splendidly managed.

Posted anonymously on 04/09/2018

Shrewsbury Folk Festival 2018, West Midlands Showground, Shrewsbury - 24th August 2018

I thoroughly enjoyed the Blowzabella Bal on the Friday night of the festival. I even attended the warm-up dance beforehand which was also excellent. Everyone is so friendly at the Festival. I really enjoyed being in a safe, friendly site with helpful volunteers and superb bands.
The concerts were fantastic and my highlight would be the Irish Supergroup, Ushers Island- I saw them twice!
This is the best Folk Festival in the Midlands for top quality concerts and dances. I love it and can't wait til 2019's line-up!!

Posted by Elizabeth Percival on 04/09/2018