First acts revealed for folk festival's 30th event

2 hours ago

Andy GiddingsWest Midlands

News image — Folk legend Richard Thompson is among the first acts announced for the 30th edition of Shrewsbury Folk Festival

Tricia Yourkevich/BBC A performer sits on stage holding an acoustic guitar, wearing a dark jacket and hat, with a microphone positioned in front of them during a live music performance. — Folk legend Richard Thompson is among the first acts announced for the 30th edition of Shrewsbury Folk Festival

Folk legend Richard Thompson, shanty group Fisherman's Friends and African-Afro Cuban pioneers Orchestra Baobab are among the first acts announced for the 30th edition of Shrewsbury Folk Festival.

The four-day event, which began in Bridgnorth in 1997 with 700 festival-goers, will also celebrate 20 years at its current home at the West Mid Showground.

More than a dozen other performers were also unveiled, with organisers promising a mix of folk favourites, new discoveries and exclusive performances.

Created by husband-and-wife team Alan Surtees and Sandra Surtees, the festival outgrew its original Bridgnorth site before moving to Shrewsbury in 2006 and settling at the showground the next year.

What started as a small event has since grown into one of the UK's best-loved folk festivals, according to organisers.

Among the headline acts announced for next year's event is Richard Thompson, who organisers said will perform with a select line-up of musical friends in an exclusive show for the festival.

Also appearing are The Young'uns, Grace Petrie, Fanny Lumsden, Edward II, Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra, Morgan Toney, Grainne Duffy and David Eagle, who will bring his one-man comedy show to the event.

Shrewsbury Folk Festival A group of men in jeans and jackets, some of them wearing hats in front of a bandstand — Shanty group Fisherman's Friends are also one of the acts announced for 2027

Festival director Sandra Surtees said: "Celebrating 30 years of the festival and 20 years at our showground home is going to be an amazing party.

"The line-up will include some of our favourite artists, some incredible talents never seen before at the festival and some special shows just for Shrewsbury.

"I never imagined in my wildest dreams 30 years ago that the festival would grow into one of the country's most loved folk events."

Drone Rangers A campsite seen from the air with a large marquee in the middle and trees surrounding it — The event has been held at the West Mid Showground since 2007

The festival features four music stages as well as dance events, workshops, craft and music fairs, food stalls and on-site camping and glamping.

Next year's takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, from 27-30 August, with more acts due to be announced in the coming months. Tickets are now on sale.