From the valiant team at Shrewsbury Folk Festival, still on and determined to see the event go ahead, pandemic be hanged. (Cheers and applause from the Spiral Earth New Desk.)  This is what they’ve said …

“We have revealed our plans for a covid-safe festival including a refreshed line-up to celebrate the best of British based folk artists.

We have elected for outside stages and more outdoor activities to ensure we can meet any possible covid related regulations that might be in place by August Bank Holiday.

The new line up includes Kate Rusby, Oysterband, Show of Hands, Afro Celt Sound System, Seth Lakeman, The Christians, Dervish, Lindisfarne and The Young’uns.

Shrewsbury will host the only festival appearance of The Lost Words: Spell Songs with Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis, Seckou Keita, Kris Drever, Rachel Newton, Beth Porter, Jim Molyneux and illustrator Jackie Morris and shanty sensations The Longest Johns are also on the bill.

Other acts include leading kora musician Sona Jobarteh, Joji Hirota and the London Taiko Drummers, Band of Burns, Seckou Keita Quartet, The Trials of Cato, Calan, Edwina Hayes, FOS Brothers, Sheelanagig, Kabantu, Pendevig, Benji Kirkpatrick & The Excess, The Carrivick Sisters, SherburnBartleySanders, Sheema Mukherjee, The Boxwood Chessmen, Sisters of Elva Hill folk ballet, The John Martyn Project, Will Pound’s A Day Will Come, The Jellyman’s Daughter, Truckstop Honeymoon and James Yorkston.”

All this takes place at The West Midlands Showground in Shrewsbury over 27th – 30th August 2021. All ticket, camping and music related information can be found at shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk

Get out there and take in some decent music for the weekend if you can or if not just the day, you won’t regret it and tell them Spiral Earth sent you!