Oosbury or Ohsbury alike, the come all ye remains mightier than the word!
The call of an old familiar
Much as we, here at ATB, might like to take you to pastures new, to festivals far flung and possibly less frequented, sometimes the call of an old familiar is too strong, and return we must. Apart from the perennial draw of Cropredy, Shrewsbury is one, one of the remaining grandes dames of the circuit, and in this, their 22nd year, bar covid, under this name. Wisely, in these trying times for festivals of any size, shape or form, they don’t brag of their longevity, for fear of the curse of, well, the curse of so many left behind by the cruel hand of the economy.
A bevy of must sees
ATB last visited two years ago, and a fine time was had. And surely they couldn’t top the myriad delights of that bill? Well, glimpse upward and it seems they may well have. So, amongst a host of returning favourites, predominantly Oysterband and the Levellers, there are a bevy of must sees. Many of these come from a large Scottish faction: Dougie MacLean, Skerryvore, and Blazin’ Fiddles head up a Caledonian cavalcade of ceilidh music, easily up to the par of the Scottish showcases of the, hopefully just resting, Cambridge Folk Festival.
Lower down the rankings come the joys of Project Smok, so powerful at the recent Folk by the Oak, and the respective delights of Kim Carnie, away from her day job of Mànran, and Hannah Rarity. And who would wish to miss the delights of the up and coming Laurettes, one of the all female powerhouses that feature so well across the central belt? Plus there is an opportunity to catch small pipes maven, Malin Lewis, who promises to offer a blinder of a set, with their trio.
Celtic tide
But, Scotland aside, the other Celtic nations are not forgotten, with the festival coup of attracting Welsh neo-tradders 9Bach to the live stage. Deemed defunct by many, with 9 years since their last album, a new single dropped recently, out of the blue, an advance warning of their new collaboration with Andy Gangadeen, drummer and programming guru with Chase & Status. That’s going to be different, for sure. From Ireland, Donegal’s The Henry Girls keep up their end, whilst the honorary Celtic fringe of Novia Scotia is represented by Natalie McMaster, celebrated fiddler, who is paired with Donnell Leahy.
Moray mint
What about the English, are you saying? Well, even I have cause to celebrate who have made (possibly) shorter journeys to get here: Jim Moray must be one of our prime exponents of the English Folk tradition, although there is never much idea of which Jim he will be this time around, given his abilities range from simple acoustic faithfulness, to electric guitars and then on to all manner of electronica and electrickery, with loops and the like. Melrose Quartet are as vocally strong in their harmonies as can ever be, adding fiddles and box where needs be. Elsewhere Sam Kelly gets time away from Kate Rusby and from his own trio, performing a set with Jamie Francis and acclaimed duo, Harbottle & Jonas, get to show why they are held in such regard. And did I mention Mad Dog McCrea, or, ATB favourites, The Bar Steward Son of Val Doonican?
All so exciting
I haven’t touched the surface? Add in Canadian, Martha Wainwright, Belgium’s Naragonia Quartet and Senegalese percussionist, Amadou Diagne’s latest group, Touki, let alone the Scottish Egyptian Ayoub Sisters, and their casbah fiddle charms, and all possible tastes are catered for. Chuck in Judie Tzuke for good measure and it is possible we’ll all stay with her till dawn. (Arf!) El Pony Pisador come from Spain and were a highlight of last year, so much so that they are back by popular demand (plus we get an extra dose at Cropredy…). Finally, in this all too brief skim, I will personally guarantee the good time to be had to Naomi Bedford & the Ramshackle Band. It is all just so exciting.
Are You Dancing?
Mind you, there are many who go to Shrewsbury and never see a single concert. These are the dancers, who make sure that the Dance Tent is perpetually heaving, as a packed programme of more than 18 different dance bands provide ample fodder for their feet, whether English country dancing, Celtic ceilidhs or Breton bals. Or a mix of all three and more. (A special treat comes from those artists who “do” both stage performances and dance tent shenanigans, thinking of the Melrose Quartet, specifically, but also the last ever* appearance of the Oyster Ceilidh Band, to go alongside the last* UK festival performance by Oyster Band.)
*so they say!
Singing and a’drinking
If not a dancer, either, there are workshops, dawn to dusk and probably dusk to dawn too, for any instrument you might wish to play, whatever your standard. Or “just” a singer? The Berwick Bar is likely where such folk convene, a singaround session seemingly ongoing there in perpetuity, with numerous musical sessions dotted around the room, all at once and altogether. Yes, it can be quite a cacophony, but a righteously rich one, tempered by the veritable beer festival of provision, curated by the always excellent Moongazing Hare bars. (Other drinks are available, including cider, perry and even soft drinks.)
If none of the above appeals, you know, I think Shrewsbury’s not for you. (Are you on the right page?) If any or all of it does, hurry, there may be the odd ticket still available, but you’ll need to get your skates on, as it usually sells out. Me, I can’t wait! When the fecking feck is it, you ask? Soon; 22 – 25 August.
Here’s something to get you in the mood, from a little over a month ago (with thanks to Corsa772 for the loan of the video.)
Shrewsbury Folk Festival online : Website / Facebook / x / Instagram
Keep up with At The Barrier: Facebook / X (formerly Twitter) / Instagram / Spotify / YouTube