If you came to the festival, we hope you had a great time and that your journey home was safe.
We're sorting through photos and videos, it will take a few days but we'll post links up when we have them all arranged.
In the meantime, please leave comments here to let us know what you enjoyed, what the highlights were and where you think we can improve - we take everything on board and this helps us shape the festival for next year
For me, The Duhks village stage set, Nancy Kerr & James Fagan's harmony workshop, and the Demon Barber Roadshows concert with the children from Oxon were my three favourite moments.............over to you.
96 comments:
Excellent festival, many thanks for all the hard work put in by the organisers and stewards! See you in 2009!
Yet another great, well organised festival.... can't think of a better way to spend a bank holiday.Loved the addition of the designated "mosh pit" and the screens.Would have loved to see Colvin Quarmby on Stage 1 in the evening as well as the afternoon slot. See you all next year!
The dukns were brilliant but it was a pity that they failed to turn up for their slot on Sunday night....after having Rory McCleod what about Billy Bragg next year as Sunday night headline as he is ace and will bring out more young folk fans
was disapointed that recycling does not appear to be encouraged throughout the site can this be done for next year
but an excellance festival with great people peforming but more important great fans and families coming
Top weekend - especially enjoyed R Thompson, the Duhks and Demon Barber.
For next time - how about big screens inside the main tent? They would make life easier for punters at the back...
Also, more beer please!! Supplies were looking a mite thin by Sunday night and Monday lunchtime. Or maybe I should seek help.
Eagle
Please be reassured that recycling is done - all the rubbish that is generated on site is sorted through by a company and around 80% is recycled. It was mentioned in the programme but I can see why you might have thought it all goes in a big hole! We use environmentally friendly cleaning products too!
My first visit and apart from it taking 6 1/2 hours to get there by train due to problems from London there was nothing else to complain of except maybe there was just too many things going on and that is no complaint at all, there'll be enough time to rest back at work. The Duhks on Sunday with Leonard leading the singalong of "Down to the River to Pray" was one of my unmissable moments. I think a lot of the folk purists didn't take to them as the marquee had emptied out a bit by the end of their session on Saturday but they're definitely on my list to catch again. Pete Morton, Elbow Jane, Eilen Jewell and not forgetting the wonderful Gerry Colvin making it a well spent weekend. Roll on next year
Thoroughly enjoyed my first Shrewsbury Folk Festival - really well organised - congrats to all involved. My highlights were The Duhks on Sunday and Tim Van Eyken Band...thoroughly enjoyed everyone I saw (including entertainment from Jim and Mike Harding...you know who you are...at the Coach & Horses!!).
Fantastic festival - highlights were definately Colvin Quarmby, Bellowhead (the whole of the main tent audience jumping up & down!) , Piggery Jokery, PieMinister, Sheelanagig, New Rope String Band, Village Stage events, Elbow Jane, Pete Morton and lots more.
I do have to say though that I find the blackness of the main stage tent rather oppressive and it can suck the life out of some of the performances - or maybe it's just me.
I agree that Billy Bragg would be a great draw as he has lead many people into folk music who may not have given it another listen.
So thanks for a wonderful weekend and managing 4 days that were almost dry!
Great festival - agree about asking Billy Bragg. Spent lots of time in Marquee 2, dancing, singalong and the Paul Robeson presentation. Would love some more presentations about people/groups in the folk world - as a relatively new person to the folk world singers refer to writers etc. as if they are known. Agree would have liked /monitors screens up in the main marque - could see nothing from the back and for the Ukulele Orchestra there were jokes that those at the front understood that we at the back could not. Loved the local drinks and BoxFresh - how about local food for the catering too? Thanks to everyone for the hard work. Definitely back in 2009
My first time this year but not my last. Great weekend, so well organised and friendly. My best bits were the Ukes, Richard Thompson and that great Harmony workshop on Saturday morning. Pete Morton and Steve Tilston also brill. And how about that guitarist (Jerry Miller) in the Eilen Jewell Band - Wow!
Didn't like the mosh pit idea - those in the seats (certainly near the front) couldn't see anyone on stage if they were sitting down (eg. the Ukes). It's not so bad if folks come to the front to dance - that normally lasts for a few fast tunes then everybody sits down again for a bit - but having people standing there all evening was a definite obstruction for the seated masses.
One minor niggle - could there be a few more places next year where you can brush your teeth and freshen up without having to queue for the full shower? I could only find the loo in the GKN pavilion to fill that role. Maybe a few more showers too?
Otherwise, a wonderful weekend with a great line up of artists, beers, and food!
Well done for all your hard work, a fantastic festival, highlights were Colvin Quarmby, Richard Thompson, Pete Morton ( should have had more spots than just the one programmed) The food, moor and coast guys for the breakfast were great but that some other early opener for breakfast would have been handy, still had a smashing time thanks.
Excellent Festival.
Really nice to see happy stewards who were always willing to help.
Possible ways to enhance future festivals here:
Large video screens in the main tent (and get rid of those silly LED screens on the stage).
Raise the stage even further so that it is above the heads of those in the mosh pit - that way it will not impede on anyone elses view.
My highlights - The Demon Barbers with the local schoolchildren - a stunning set, and hearing and enjoying music I would otherwise have dismissed as not to my taste (Eilen Jewell).
Yep, I forgot about those lights behind the performers - they're a neat trick but made it even harder for thost the back of the tent to see the artists. It was great to see Richard Thompson start his set without the back-lighting and just the spots. Having a big screen would be great - it's a very long way from the stage to the back row - a result of the success of the festival and the numbers it attracts I suppose.
Marquee 2 was a lovely size and I spent much more time in that one than the big 'un.
All the best to the instantly likeable Glyn Collinson (http://www.glyncollinson.co.uk/) who came so close to winning the Open Mike sessions - a great guy with a big future.
Wow - top festival! Hard to pick top highlights but Richard Thompson as seen from the moshpit has to clinch it.
Couldn't see the Ukes when we were seated - give them a tall platform to sit on or install those much requested big screens!
SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR.
Brilliant festival as ever. Some wonderful performances such as Bellowhead, Demon Barbers, Lunasa and many more. Personally I thought Richard Thompson was dire (not as good as Trowbridge last month) and loathed the shrieking Duhks but each to their own!
However, despite the positives, I have come home with more niggles than any other fest in more than a decade of dedicated festie attending. The programme (as well as being too big for a pocket) was far too complicated to follow. All the wonderful dance sides and workshops were listed, so why add them to the massive list of concerts as well? Cropredy this year had a separate sheet of Marquee events which was great.
The programming too disappointed me when 2 of the reasons I came to the fest (Ian Bruce & the Boat Band) were only given tiny venues...Perhaps pre-event advertising should alert us to which artists will not be available in marquees.
The worst problem however was the safety of the infrastructure of the site. It is flat, roomy and well drained, (but large piles of horse s**t around the place gave it an unpleasant miasma!)
The electricity was dodgy as we know from the "fire", the need to use candles in the members' bar and the lack of lighting in 1 toilet block the first night. My electrician partner was seriously worried about the state of the overhead cables too. Lack of lighting on walkways and corridors was a bit dodgy as well.
The worst thing though has to be the water pressure and sanitation. Many of the permanent loos were broken and cracked but ALL the ladies' I visited had cisterns which failed to refill quickly enough leading to horrendously insanitary conditions at peak times despite the wonderful work of the cleaning teams. The flood in the members's bar was dangerously slippy and again insanitary.
In fact, there was a need for far more toilets if SFF is to come up to other fest standards - portaloos at least close to the main beer tent and seating area of Stage 1 surely???
I fear that unless the showground receives a massive and immediate amount of investment, it will not be safe or fit to receive a licence by next year.
P.S. Meant list of Main Stage events at Cropredy - no Marquees there!
Oyster Ceilidh Band were great - much better than the strutting superstar act. Ever thought about going back to your roots boys?
Our first time at Shrewsbury, we usually go to Cambridge, but thought we'd give you a try as it has become so crowded at Cambridge that you can't safely move around.
We will definitely come again, great friendly atmosphere and music. Definitely need more loos though, abd the showground itself is in dire need of updating! Please don't lose the mosh pit though. I'm a bit(lot!) too old for moshing, and I like to find somewhere to sit sometimes, but I found it quite sterile to see everyone sitting so still in there seats when there is lively music playing, and I can't sit down listening to bands like Oysterband and Sheelanagig playing! I'm sure the bands like to know that people are MOVED by their music! I would say there should be more space for people to stand.
Hoping to encourage the rest of our family to come next year, as they are all musicians as well as fans, and your festival was so inclusive!
Hi
Our first time at Shrewsbury, we usually go to Cambridge, but thought we'd give you a try as it has become so crowded at Cambridge that you can't safely move around.
We will definitely come again, great friendly atmosphere and music. Definitely need more loos though, and the showground itself is in dire need of updating! Please don't lose the mosh pit though. I'm a bit(lot!) too old for moshing, and I like to find somewhere to sit sometimes, but I found it quite sterile to see everyone sitting so still in their seats when there is lively music playing, and I can't sit down listening to bands like Oysterband and Sheelanagig playing! I'm sure the bands like to know that people are MOVED by their music! I would say there should be more space for people to stand.
Hoping to encourage the rest of our family to come next year, as they are all musicians as well as fans, and your festival was so inclusive!
Good weekend for dance fans. Some ace dance sides. Really good to see so many under 25s, especially in Martha Rodens and Pecetan.
Totally agree about Oyster, the Ceilidh was great, but didn't like their main stage set.
Can we have more showers and loos next year please? And at least a bottle bank - I can't believe that stinking pink skip is going to be sorted at all!
Hi
Our first time at Shrewsbury, we usually go to Cambridge, but thought we'd give you a try as it has become so crowded at Cambridge that you can't safely move around.
We will definitely come again, great friendly atmosphere and music. Definitely need more loos though, abd the showground itself is in dire need of updating! Please don't lose the mosh pit though. I'm a bit(lot!) too old for moshing, and I like to find somewhere to sit sometimes, but I found it quite sterile to see everyone sitting so still in there seats when there is lively music playing, and I can't sit down listening to bands like Oysterband and Sheelanagig playing! I'm sure the bands like to know that people are MOVED by their music! I would say there should be more space for people to stand.
Hoping to encourage the rest of our family to come next year, as they are all musicians as well as fans, and your festival was so inclusive! Only drawback was the programme design. It was very difficult to find the artists as there didn't seem to be a logical order, either alphabetical or chronological.
I've been going to festivals for 25years and I rate Shrewsbury as the most enjoyable ever. I quite like the slight tattiness of the buildings, they have character, and I'm not in the least bothered by the odd cracked loo. The atmosphere in the bar on Monday night was tremendous, I loved the candle lit music session. The official programme was excellent, but it's the fringe events that really make a festival special; the showground is perfect for allowing these to happen. Thanks to everyone.
great festival . Colvin Quarmby a find for me and Piggery Jokery wow ....... i've seen shows with 100ks of arts council funding which weren't as 100th as good; simple wonderful artistry
Great festival and a lot of last year's problems have been sorted. I discovered some loos near the back of the quiet area on the very last afternoon which hardly anyone was using. Perhaps they should have been better signposted.
I avoided the big marquee like the plague. Marquee 2 was just the right size. However, most of the people I wanted to see were only on in small venues and it was difficult to get in, let alone get a seat. Cloudstreet, who I love, were only in small venues. Mary Humphries & Anahata didn't even get a proper concert spot and they certainly deserved one.
There was a good range of workshops but again it was difficult to get in as they were oversubscribed so obviously even more are needed.
It would be a good idea if the stewards supervised where people set up their tents and caravans to make the best use of space and so that people arriving later don't have to drive round and round looking for a space.
Sue,
Once the site started to fill up, the campsite stewards were aware of areas with camping spaces etc and would have been only too pleased to advise. Whilst the campsite was very full, it is an almost impossible task to regulate the size of plot people use and take up, or difficult to guess how many large tents, small tents and caravans a party of say 6 will be needing. So from fiday evening the campsite stewards team regularly toured the site noting the availability of areas suitable for big tents and caravans etc. (smaller tents did not have this problem as there where lots of small pockets suitable for a small tent)
Blimey Tawny (9.05am Aug 27) Lighten up. It's a festival, not a weekend school for health and safety inspectors. No one died, no cases of dysentry notified, what's not to like?
What a great Festival!! There seems to be lots of people on here moaning about silly pathetic little things, your meant to relax and chill out when you go to a Folk Festival, if you think you can do a better job then you should have a go but surely Shrewsbury Folk Fest has to be the best music festival in the UK!!
Regards the music there were some top performances. I thought Kerfuffle were brilliant on Saturday night and what a spot on set from Kerr, Fagan and Harbron!
Cheers
It was our first Shrewsbury festival. We chose Tim Van Eyken over the Oyster band on friday and were glad we did. The Boat Band and Breabach were a revelation, and we went on to buy their cd's. We didn't think alot of Pete Morton however. On Satuday, the Duhks and Lunasa were great, but we wished Elbow Jane & their travelling contingent of supporters had not ventured so far out of Liverpool(I'm not a hardened Folkie by any stretch, but their music would have been better served on the X-Factor). Indeed, if the vocalist hadn't spend so long trying to impress everyone with his lungs during the sound check, we might have got in early and had more of the other bands. On 2nd thoughts, we should have just had longer sets From Lunasa & the Duhks.
Well said CB. The whole Agricultural SAhowground thing is a bit out of date, but we love it. The barn toilets should be grade listed - they're hilarious. I'm suspecting that Tawny hasn't tried the toilets at Glastonbury, Reading or the Virgin festivals. Now they are disgusting...
Overall a great weekend with some definite improvements over last year. I thought The Oysters, Richard Thompson and Bellowhead did their "headlining£ duties admirably but I was less impressed with The Duhks - there are many better bands in Canada, in my opinion. Some great performances further down the bill, too - Kerr and Fagan worked their socks off all weekend to good effect.
What Worked Not So Well:
- Main marquee sound - not as good as last year, with too many problems (not counting Friday's debacle)
- On that subject, if you've got a firm finish time, it's good idea to start on time. How can the sound crews manage the sound checks better?
- Main marquee stage lighting was dire
- I'm not completely sold on the "managed mosh pit" idea. As others have said, the sight lines are still inadequate when performers are sitting and the front seats now seem miles from the stage. It wouldn't be so bad if the space was used for moshing but it was mostly full of people standing still!
Excellent festival. Highlights for me were the Duhks and ColvinQuarmby, the mosh pit, and the much improved beer selection. I felt that the sound quality was not nearly as good in the main marquee as marquee 2 - I suspect this may be why some people were not so positive about the Duhks set. Good addition of the video screens - next year would be great to have large screens at back of main auditorium and in the food area. Thanks to all for their hard work.
Just to say a personal thank-you to Charles and Heather of MicroVideo-Shrewsbury who were responsible for providing the video links and screens.
For "newbies" this was our first attempt at projecting images beyond the main stage - screens were provided at one of the SP Holding main stage entrances, in the bar, in the GKN Pavillion and in the Artists' Reception area. The "live-mix" was controlled by Heather and taken from three remote-controlled cameras located on the marquee supports, plus the front of stage camera operated by Steve & Becky. Thanks to the technical genius of Charles, this amazingly complex system operated without serious problems thoughout the festival.
MicroVideo were of course just one of the many contractors who helped make the 2008 festival work and like most they worked well beyond the call of duty.
Paul H
Virtual Shropshire - website, photo & video sponsor
www.virtual-shropshire.co.uk#
I should like to pont out that Elbow Jane`s sound check time was 6.30pm due to problems with other artist they didn`t start their check until 6.55pm they had a half hour slot and tried very hard to finish as soon as possible, however with three vocals and 8 instuments to level it does take time.It is worth mentioning that the festival`s bass drum was broken and without Elbow Jane leaving theirs for the concert the other artist wouldn`t have had a kit.
As for the bands music I can`t imagin Eglands Stone being onX factor, nor songs by Mike Silver, James Taylor Tim O`Brian ect
This was our first ever experience of stewarding and we are delighted to say that being involved in that way added to our enjoyment of the festival.
We have been fans of Bellowhead since their very first tour but this was possibly the best performance yet. We also really enjoyed Richard Thompson and Kerr Fagan Harbron on the main stage. However The Duhks didn't work for us and neither did the distracting light displays behind the performers. In Marquee 2 we enjoyed Pete Morton, Rory McLeod and Steve Tilston We only managed to get in to a smaller venue once but we were really pleased to see Ian Bruce again. Thanks to everyone involved.
We have seen this festival grow since it's inception in Bridgnorth and have to congratulate the organisers in now providing the best weekend folkfest of all. Featuring the best guests and the friendliest support teams. There are always some negatives of course and our observations were - The sound quality in main marquee was dire, The mosh pit was just an area for people to stand in most of the time obscuring the vision of those in the first three rows, The program layout could be vastly improved using the Sidmouth model where each acts slot(s) could be identified by number, Stage lighting dreadful compared with previous years, The trek to the toilets from the top end of the main marquee or the eating area was unacceptable especially for those less mobile, Security on Friday afternoon was lacking in that anyone was able to wander through gate one and disappear into the camping area before arriving at the steward location which was 100yds ahead and finally strict soundchecking timeslots would help to alleviate the often extended queing times for the main marquee.
looks like it was a great festival, cant believe i missed it this year. thought id try the rock and roots festival for a change, yes..well. def be at shrewsbury next year..any chance of shooglenifty coming back....please..pretty please. with sugar on.. and a cherry
mick and sue
A great festival the highlights of which were Lunasa, Bellowhead, Sheenanagig, Breaback, Kerfuffle and the Ukes. Loved the site, the craft stalls and the food was tasty, inexpensive and varied. It was my first visit but definitely won't be the last. Many thanks to the organisers.
Lynda
Well agreat fessie as per usual. The comment about Elbow Jane seems a bit harsh. I personally thought they were great. I believe they sold over a 100CD's so someone liked them I know we all have diff taste so perhaps the anonymous whinger who will likely be a nimbe as well should lighten up a bit.
asbob mentioned that Elbow jane had sold over 100 CDs.
Thought you might be interested to see the Official Sales Chart for Shrewsbury. I'm not going to show actual quantities, but here is the chart in order.
1. The Duhks
2. Eilen Jewell
3. Kerfuffle
4. Ukulele Orch
5. Richard Thompson
6. Elbow Jane
7. Oysterband
8. Kerr Fagan Harbron
9. Bellowhead
10. Breabach
Interesting eh?!
Great, enjoyable, varied, civilised festival! GOOD POINTS: Bellowhead - the best! Kerfuffle -classy(Sweeney sexy); Kerr & Fagan - interesting & original; Thompson professional ( suberb guitar work); Uke Orch of GB so, so clever. Heard them - couldn't see them! Vegetarian food fantastic value; Beer choice better and better kept & served this year; Stewards cheery & helpful; Elbow Jane -funny & fresh (is it folk though?)Marquee 2 GOOD sound system! No back lighting, hurrah! Toilets appeared more regularly checked for paper towels etc.
BAD POINTS: Main stage - back lighting screens distracting, sound system VERY iffy and unbalanced; Friday in Main Marquee - sound checks with audience queuing outside?; mosh pit useless - they weren't dancing - blocked views in front seats; Stage was supposed to be higher; The Duhks - overrated - why did she have to shout?; same number of showers as last year, we were promised more; Please tell me why, oh, why the Japenese percussion thing on Monday, ruining the prep for Bellowhead?.... anyway Seth Lakeman, Eliza Carthy for next year please,PHIL
Local resident, been before. My highlights this year - Kevin Crawford's Irish session in the beer tent, and Lunasa's performance. Can't BELIEVE that they did not make the official CD top 10. Never mind. I love 'em and bought their CDs (2).
Food great, toilets adequate.
WHY ON EARTH were Bellowhead so loud on Monday that we could hear them in Marquee 2 where the wonderful Wilsons were performing? If WE could hear Bellowhead (aptly named) over in Marquee 2, pity the poor souls inside the main marquee. They are no doubt seeing their doctor this week for hearing aids.
Oh - and please DON'T shine lights in the faces of the audience when they have paid to come in and watch the bands - it isn't rocket science. Stage lights are for the stage.
Can we have Andy Irvine / Patrick Street for next year, please?
I was near the front of the seating area for Bellow head and the sound was fine - perhaps the best of the weekend and not too loud!
Great organisation as always (our third year at the festival). Well done everyone - so much hard work is really appreciated
Highlights : Glorystrokes, Kerr Fagan Harbaron, Colvin Quarmby's crazy patter (but not the songs unfortunately!) Eilen Jewel (a pleasant surprise - great guitarist), Bellowhead (of course) and the children from Oxon School (well done Demon Barbers), beer choice & quality
Disappointments:
The dreadful backing lights on main stage as mentioned by many others - please ditch them, sound quality on main stage - did not seem as good as last year but not terrible, Dukhs - only caught the screeching at the end of the main stage set so may be unfair to judge, Boka Halat - especially as I missed the Radio Ballads presentation to see them, Oyster Ceildh - not as exciting as I was expecting
Probably will be back next year provided the line up is good - looking forward to the Darwin Project & maybe better loos by then?
Our second time at the festival and had a fantastic weekend, thank you!! Highlights for us were the Tim van Eyken Band, New Rope String Band, the amazing ColvinQuarmby, Cloudstreet and the Belly Dancing workshop. Ended up every night in Marquee 2 as the atmosphere, sound and possibly the bands felt so much better than in the main stage. Good though that the token system didn't cause people to miss bands this time.
Can't believe the negativity of the earlier long comments re health and safety and toilets - the best toilets ever at a festival! And the site has a lovely well-worn feel to it.
Constructive (hopefully) criticism:
i) family friendliness - a lot of effort was made to cater for children for which we are grateful - but - we would rather do things as a family without feeling that we are being an annoyance in quiet small rooms. The ideal solution for us (and I discussed this with some other families too) would be a large-ish Family Concert Tent - where children were welcome, a bit of extra noise was expected and accepted, and where bands could play their most child-friendly sets. For example, Cloudstreet would have been fantastic for this - but jammed into the pavilion it was a nightmare trying to keep the little one quiet and I ended up missing most of the concert. Later ones were again far too crowded to attend, so we gave up, despite the duo being top of our list to see. As Bellowhead played out their closing set, I counted 12 pushchairs and the matching parents and children sitting/standing/running outside the tent - and that was just on one side.
ii) Most couples with children take it in turns to watch the acts and look after the small children, but this isn't the best solution for us - and completely rules out any ceilidh dancing. So a big big plea for a family ceilidh - this is done at Chester and was very successful and enjoyable this year.
iii) bigger venues for workshops which involve singing - by their nature they will attract more people than those which require possession of and skill in using an instrument! An example being the the accordian workshop alongside a vocal harmony one - a dozen or so people in the bar and a crowd jammed into the small meeting room. The Kerr Fagan singing workshop too, earlier in the weekend, was turning people away because it was so full. A victim of success perhaps, but solvable.
Thanks though for a wonderful weekend.
Another great festival.
Had no problem finding anywhere to camp - but even arriving at 11am the campsite seemed to be full well beyond what might be expected for the gates opening at 10am.
Many highlights. Well organised festival with no problems with the amenities except for the lack of toilet roll, but anyone who goes camping and goes to festivals knows to take their own.
Need more room for the singing workshops.
Also, we checked in advance to see whether we could have a fire and found that we could as long as it was small and contained - in a raised fire box. We had lots of people passing by wishing that they had known they could have them too. It might be worth putting a guide in the programme next year to let people know this as it adds to the atmosphere on the campsite after the bands have finished.
Thanks for another great festival, see you next year!
Just seen the Imagined Village on TV (at Cambridge). Now there's a band for next year - and it comes complete with several additional concerts built in - from Martin Carthy, Eliza, Chris Woods (yawn), The Young Coppers, Billy Bragg - they'd all be there as they're part of the big band.
Just a thought.
Cheers
Fantastic festival. Our first time at Shrewsbury and as part of a large(ish) group can say ALL enjoyed it and are looking forward to next year. We thought the facilities were fine and isn't a site what you make it? Food and beer good and hopefully will have the nerve to take part in a workshop next year.
Whilst I appreciate comments, msoh pit was good, speaking as a mosher and a sitter! The large screen idea would be good as I guess tiered seating would be out of the question and could you imagine the comments from people if punters wanted to leave halfway?
All groups I saw were good, those I didn't like I went for a beer - simple! Saturday Duhks, didn't like, the outdoor set was so good we bought the CD. Why not listen to music on your own terms?
Next year Seth Lakeman and Chumbawumba - but to finish with a huge sound (like Bellowhead) left us wanting to comeback. Once again a big thankyou to all organisers.
Just wanted to say well done to the organisers for having an open and very public feedback option such as this and also your myspace and facebook sites.
it appears the basis of a festival in terms of acts have been identified in our comments so maybe this will help our organisers for nexy years great festival......to raise a brief point all punters will like and dislike different acts and that is why a festival works so lets all do what we did this year enjoy the music, companionship, friends and all the enjoyment that Shrewsbury gives us each August
ps Please can we have Billy Bragg next year
First time but wont be last.Stewards were very helpful and friendly,All bands we saw were entertaining.Just a problem hearing Rope Band and sign posting on outskirts of town.
Great festival - excellent setup -tremendous sets from the Duhks, Eilen Jewel Band, Kerfuffle and Elbow Jane who I thought were fantastic - dont know why earlier comment was so scathing!
More info about local services would be good - eg nearest post office, newsagents etc. and info about restaurants, cafes etc. for those of us going into town... sure there must be leaflets from town. Perhaps an info. spot in the arrivals tent so only those that want to info. get it. And how about making the publicity clear that it is a folk and dance festival.
Loved the festival. Morris Dancing looks to be having a revival - we loved watching all the youngsters in the yellow dresses with green and yellow stockings, but we didn't catch the name of the team.
We'll be back next year for sure.
Sent a message on 26th August but cannot see it so here goes again. Brilliant festival. Came because Breabach and Colvin Quarmby were on, but also loved Demon Barbers. Seen Bellowhead several times. Always good. I did not mind horse manure brought some of it home for my garden.
The only moan I have is the stewards celebrating all Monday night while I was trying to get some sleep for the 5 hour journey home. Suggest you put them in the noisy zone next year. Will defintely come next year. Think it was well worth the money. For that price what do people expect. They would pay far more on an ordinary camp site without the entertainment. Thanks again
dddd
never again. this was my first and very definately my last visit to this festival.
i found the whole seating idea completely bizarre. why people willingly q for over an hour to sit on hard seats, in regimented rows, is beyond me. i accept some seating/open access is required for the disabled etc but to fill the majority of the arena with seats seems ludicrous to me.
i have enjoyed cambridge and trowbridge festivals for many years. both these festivals have a more relaxed approach where people come and go as they please, bring chairs,rugs, picnics or just themselves.
i was counted in and out at one point by a steward with a clip board when i went for a drink!
from a band point of view, i spoke to a number of musicians who did not enjoy the experience. as a performer myself, i know it is important to have feedback from the audience during a gig.
i saw an excellent band on stage 2 who were very lively and, is essentially a dance band. i saw several people dancing at the side before they where asked to move by the stewards to the front left of the stage. when a small crowd had gathered, the front man (by now exasperated with the audience) gestured for the dancers to move to the front.
all they wanted was feedback. music is supposed to be enjoyed isnt it?
the seating also prevented many people from entering the arena at all. these people had to be content with watching the acts on screens. people were prevented from entering when there was clearly room for more without overcrowding.
positives included the cleanliness, the range of high quality food and drinks available.
to conclude, if you like a highly polished but soleless festival, look no further. if you prefer a more relaxed approach, try the aforementioned.
i ahvent seen one negative blog posted yet so we will see.
Excellent festival
Highlights - Bellowhead, Kerfuffle, Rory Mcleod, Duhks Village stage trio
Loved the festival atmosphere. Great place for families. Would have really liked a family ceilidh like last year. Searched the programme.
Lowlights - Duhks main tent (I saw them at Cambridge in 2005 and absolulely loved them, bought all their albums etc, but since then they have a new vocalist and drummer instead of an understated percussionist and I felt like I had lost a friend :(
I didn't feel the mosh pit worked at all as it really impeeded the view of the stage. The height of the stage would need to be put up much more to make an impact especially with seated acts. Not much dancing going on, just people standing. Didn't like the led lights.
simon c
You make a very interesting point and one which is close to my heart. The great thing about festivals is that they all differ; large, small, seats, no seats, traditional, comtemporary, in tents, or in buildings. Most of them reflect their organisers concept of what is good or bad and their taste in music, folk or otherwise. I don't think there is a right way or a wrong just a way which works for me. I certainly have friends at the two festivals you mentioned and admire their work immensely.
For me festivals which have no seating tend to encourage groups collecting together, who then talk and sometimes shout to each throughout any artist's performance. At night the festivalgoer faces the challenge of avoiding or stepping on children left asleep lying on the floor in the dark, or tripping over drunks, often lying in vomit. This may seem relaxed to you Simon, to me it seems dangerous.
I wouldn't pretend that Shrewsbury Folk Festival is perfect but I will continue to work on it until it is much better. We welcome an awful lot of converts from one standing festival in particular, and they all say they prefer the SFF way.
We also get good feedback from our artists, with one big name saying this year that there isn't an artist in the world who wouldn't want to appear on our stage.
So I will continue polishing Simon, until the shine is just right.
Alan Surtees, SFF Director
Festies are all different, I go to Cropredy and stand and put up with aching feet and people shouting over the music, I go to shrewsbury and love to sit on the front row if possible and enjoy the concert getting lost in the music, something I can't do if standing up.
The front seats this year were very far from the stage and not half as good as they used to be, but you can't please everyone and this year was a great compromise, please don't go the way of Trowbridge and remove seats altogether!
Fantastic Festival.This was my 6th Bridgnorth /Shrewsbury fest in a row & it never fails to deliver the goods. Well done Alan & your vast team!! ( you'll never please 100% of the folks, 100% of the time!!).
The Duhks were without doubt my highlight of the festival, although I only got to watch their main stage show on the Saturday night ( I did arrive at the cancelled Sunday night show... never mind), what a voice Sarah their new singer has! Bellowhead great as ever.
My one year old son, Charlie (attending his 2nd SFF!), loved the colourful characters, camping & spent a lot of his time performing his own version of dancing, to all of the great music!!! See you all next year!!
p.s. what a laugh the New Rope String Band are.
p.p.s. My wife Nicky's favourite Eilen Jewell & Bellowhead ( she's got a point, ooohhh it's so hard to choose!)
Really impressed by Alan's reply to Simon's complaints. We went to Cambridge once and didn't go again for the reasons Alan mentioned. Why do people go to concerts if they don't want to listen to the artist? Sitting on the ground doesn't suit everybody either. I personally can't stand up all evening (I do for a Bellowhead set though!)
Rather over critical analysis from simon c,there is no such thing as the perfect festival.Blimey it's only the second time it's been held at the West Mid ground,unlike Cambridge which has been going for yonks.
I'm sure the organisers will learn.Well done to the organisers and the stewards for all their efforts.Shrewsbury is very lucky to have such a festival and I'm sure it will get better and better.
Again well done to Alan Surtees et al.This festival needs encouragement not discouragement.
Very enjoyable festival. Well done.
Interesting to read that so many people liked the Duhks. I saw them on the main stage and thought them dreadful. Clever and skilled but souless and showy with no real feel for the material. Loved Eilen Jewel and Kerr Fagan Harbron. Rory McLeod always delights and the Raise Your Voices sets were really good.
I think that the standing area is a good idea because that way you meet the needs of those who want to wander in from another venue. Otherwise, you feel compelled to stay in the one tent all night.
I thought that the food options were very good too and the beer was fantastic.
Would love to see the Be Good Tanyas next year.
Having been part of the set up/set down team at Shrewsbury for a few years now I should like to thank Alan and Sandra for the way they look after us all.
Their enthusiasm and endless energy is infectious:at no time did I have a problem having a shower timing is everything and even if we had a hundred showers if everyone wanted to use them first thing in the morning or last thing at night there would still not be enough!!!
Likes and dislikes in music are a personal thing;I think that there is something for everyone at Shrewsbury,however I always thought that folk audiences were tolerent people and find the adverse comments made toward some musicians a rather sad reflection on what use to be a community that came together to celebrate music be it tradtional or otherwise music afterall is a living thing which ought to surpass the everyday worries,moans and injustices which we have to deal with everyday.
Thank you Alan and Sandra, we will be back for more next year
What an interesting mix of feedback so far. I think a lot of the comments aren't even worth responding to and would question whether some people have much experience of festivals. Let's not lose sight of this fact, it's a festival, outdoors, in a field over several days. Obviously things can go wrong and not everyone will be happy with everything. However, I think we shouldn't lose sight of the enormous positives and the highly enjoyable experience the whole was.
I'm pleased to note that the stewards get such glowing praise and there are many positive comments about the catering which I would endorse.
As for things that could be improved on for next year, well obviuosly the site needs some TLC, but if anyone bothered to read the introduction in the programme they'd know it's one of the aims of the organisers (and even in it's current state it was still far better than any festival we've been to that had no brick built facilities). Obviously there is no such thing as the perfect seating arrangement for such a large event catering for such a broad spectrum of people but I do think that leaving the sides off the main marquee so that more people can see the acts may be a way forward.
Perhaps our only disappointment about the whole event was the number of people who didn't seem to have an open mind (not something we've come to expect at festivals in general and certainly wouldn't go down well at our local folk club). Perhaps it's this attitude that is reflected in some of the comments so far? Anyway as a final thought the festival is advertised and it's up to individuals to decide whether or not they want to go. Turning up with an open mind and a positive attitude to trying out whatever's on offer will make for a much better time for all. If you can't manage that then maybe you should be looking for alternative entertainment for August Bank Holiday 2009.
And yes we will be back!
The Beazleys
I agree with simon c. Why , having paid £250 for a family ticket ,should I have to queue to see the artists only to be told that the venue is full? Why invite a band like Sheelanigig (my main reason for coming) if dancing is discouraged.In 40years of festival going I've never enjoyed one less. A final note to the people whose dog bit my son's lip.Your total lack of concern amazes me.
Stuart m
Firstly, we'd like to apologise and are obviously very concerned about the incident with the dog; and we would have like to have spoken to you during the festival.
The house full signs went up very occasionally over the festival, very briefly during The Ukulele Orchestra's set (not at the start of the evening's programme), and for Nancy & James' vocal workshop in Sabrina. If you were unable to gain access to either of these events, then we're sorry for the disappointment.
We sell a festival ticket and not entry in specific events (as is common across almost all folk festivals); our event is set up and numbers managed so that there is ample room for the visitors on site to take part in a variety of the programmed events. It's very rare for any venue to have the house full signs, but for safety reasons it is occasionally necessary, and in these situations there will always be ample room at other programmed events across the site.
Sheelanagig played twice on Saturday, an afternoon set in the main marquee, where there was ample room to dance at the front, and an evening show in marquee 2 - it's fair to say we don't allow dancing in front of the stage in marquee 2 (it would ruin sight lines for the whole marquee), there are oportunities to dance at the sides or the back, and this is what happened that night.
Going back to the comment about dogs, we are seriously considering banning dogs from the festival - this is obviously something we're going to discuss at length over the coming months, and we would be grateful for feedback, either good or bad, from anyone regarding this issue.
Regarding dogs at the festival- I've never experienced any dog causing a problem Generally, they seem to pick up on their owners laid back vibes. What was the child doing that close to the dog? I would advocate not banning them, but for the dogs' benefit, I would not allow them in the main marquees - too noisey for dogs - they always look fed up when being made to attend concerts!
I don't particularly like dogs but have no objection providing their owners keep control of them but unfortunately a minority of owners don't do this. There were several big dogs running free on the site and something needs to be done about the problem.
more about the dog incident... let me say I love dogs as do my kids(still). I came with friends who like your festival because they can bring their dogs. I was impressed by the total absence of dogshit.What was a child doing so near a dog???? I am appalled that the owners of the dog who turned on my son expressed no sympathy or concern and denied that the incident happened at all.He did not trip on the grass and injure himself.He needed seven stitches and to his credit he still likes dogs.I'm not advocating banning dogs or kids.But if you can identify the people whose dog it was I suggest you ban them.
Stuart m
I'm so sorry about the dog biting incident - unfortunately I don't know who the dog belongs to otherwise I would ban it straight away. I would also ban the two small blond terriers that I saw fighting each other on two separate occasions. On reflection I should have asked their owners to take more control of their dogs or leave the site. If dogs are not banned next year there will deffinatly be a closer eye kept on them and possibly info sheets handed to all dog owners on arrival.
By the way I'm not anti dog either. I have two of my own but I never take them to festivals because the venues become too hot and crowded for them.
Hi
I logged on out of curiosity to see if anyone else had the same experience as me. I'm so glad to see that they did even if in the minority.
I will definitely not be going to this festival again. I found the atmosphere in the marquees bizarre to say the least and having been stopped from entering to see one of my favourite bands, was extremely disappointed. What's the point of buying a full weekend ticket if you are not allowed in? Very unhappy about that. Why on earth do you have seating - I have never seen anything like all those people sat so quietly whilst rocking bands were on stage - how weird!!! And, if you must use marquees, take the sides off to allow everyone to see the bands for goodness sake.
As for dogs, I am a complete dog lover but sorry folks, some of you were not controlling your animals. It's not the dogs fault it's yours so get your acts together and if your dog is snappy don't take it. Well behaved pet owners should not be penalised for the sake of a few badly controlled dogs.
On a positive note, clean and well organised camping but will not be recommending it to others. First festival I have been to where I have been told to be quiet and to stop dancing when a band was at full belt.
What was the child doing near the dog??? Wow, insensitive statement of the year. Why wasn't the owner nearer the dog?
phew, i thought i was alone, this festival was the weirdest experience i have ever had. the seated emotion free audience looked like a scene from the stepford wives!
I am an avid festival goer and have been for the last 20 years.
I was truly amazed to find that I couldn’t get in to see some bands that I had paid good money to see because there were seats where there should have been people and great big wide isles between the seating that were empty. My friend asked why and one person said “well, I can’t stand up for the whole of a gig” his question to that was “but you can stand for an hour queuing to get in?”.
Take out the seats, take down the sides of the tents and provide more space for the paying customers and a designated space for the truly physically challenged.
I noted a comment about Cambridge festival earlier on in this blog.
I have been to Cambridge many, many times and it has a beautiful, relaxed, fun atmosphere where people can listen to wonderful, ‘world class’ artists and have a brilliant time dancing in the true festival spirit... without being told to move along. My sister has taken her daughter to Cambridge festival from being 18mths old and never once was she in any danger from other festival goers; she is now 20 yrs old and goes with her own friends.
I have yet to see a ‘drunk, lying in his own vomit’ or anyone ‘shouting across the audience’ spoiling the music for anyone else at Cambridge festival! ...... Methinks thou doth protest too much! Mr Surtees.
I must admit the camping set-up at Shrewsbury is excellent, the food was great but I would choose atmosphere and soul at a festival every time.
Note to Sandra - I witnessed the aftermath of the dog biting incident and saw 3 stewards, with their official looking clipboards, seemingly taking down statements and addresses of the owners and witnesses, so why would you not have the names and addresses of the dog owners?
One steward seemed to be blaming the child and not the dog!
Sorry Shrewsbury, never again.
I've been to Cambridge too. Hated it,too crowded in the marquees, had to stand up all the time and that's if you could get in the marquees in the first place as they were so crowded! Other than that we had to sit out on the lawn where you could not see the artists, good job it wasn't raining. As a previous blogger stated a few days ago, different people like different things. So please, Surtees family, don't change Shrewsbury as my friends and I like it the way it is! (Like the idea of taking the sides off the marquee though)
First year for us too, but veterans of many festivals.
I personally never had any problem with seating/standing arrangements in the main tent, it would have been nice to have the screens actually inside the tent though, but other than that it seemed to work pretty well.
I thought it was nice to actually sit down in a venue and enjoy the artists as 4 hours standing is too much for my legs!
It’s obvious you can’t please everybody, and I’m sure those people who don’t like the way its run will vote with their wallets and find what they want elsewhere; it’s commendable and brave of you to have such a public forum though.
We’ll be back next year, as we hope will Pieminister. And while I’m making a wish list, Seth Lakeman, Show of Hands, Kate Rusby and Kerfuffle again please.
It was my first time at the festival, and I loved it; my first-time-visitor friends did, too
We all appreciated the variety of music on offer, and would like to see that expanded, regardless of the mutterings of folk purists. We found the atmosphere extremely congenial, the venue good (yes, the gents are like going to your Grandad's outside lav, but there's something charming about that!) and the programme well-chosen. We hadn't anticipated the huge variety of workshops, sessions etc; we'll come prepared next year.
I liked the big lights on the stage in the main marquee; I thought it looked classy and professional. The PA could've been louder, though. Having seats and a moshpit seemed the ideal compromise to suit those who wanted to sit and enjoy a concert, and those who wanted to be a bit more kinetic about it. The secondary venues - the dance tent, Marquee 2 - were spot-on.
Special mention to the stewards; friendly and helpful, firm when they needed to be (which wasn't often, from what I saw).
Brilliant food - PieMinister and No-Bones Jones! - and drink, and hats off to Boxfresh who were perfect partners. Any chance of attracting some more instrument retailers - perhaps local ones - next time?
What about broadening the festival's scope slightly? For example, this year is the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Vaughan Williams, who used folk tunes extensively in his works. It would've been nice to have had an event which marked that anniversary. Could there be a classical/folk element? Maybe concerts in one of Shrewsbury's lovely churches?
As long as it's interesting music with a traditional and/or acoustic element, however vaguely or loosely defined, I think it has a place at Shrewsbury. I'd like to think so, anyway.
In short: loved it, see you next year.
Excellent festival. Really well organised (again). Many thanks for all the effort. The stewards were good. Also appreciated the ease with which we got onto the site, without the long queue. Loved the pies. Too many highlights to list.
At Warwick they had a wide TV screen above the stage. I'd have thought this would be out of place at a folk festival. But in fact I really liked it.
Not particularly into dogs but I like to see them around at the festival. They do seem to enjoy it. There are plenty of festivals that ban dogs.
BobH
Had a great time, heartfelt thanks to all the organising team, like thousands of others I`ll be back next year.
I`ve been to Saul, Trowbridge, Cropredy and will be at Bromyard this year and each festival and its marquees and arena has its own character and while I hate people talking during concerts I have to put up with it in unseated marquees and can move away but in a seated marquee I would expect the stewards to deal with the culprits.
I`ll never understand how dogs with their sensitive hearing can put up with the racket from the stage.
Twice I had to move seats over the weekend due to kids talking, fidgeting and fighting amongst themselves while the parents took no notice.
Do they show any concern for us late night revellers when they`re shouting and bawling at 7am in the morning? No! (OK that was a joke).
The mosh pit is a great idea, I can nip in and catch a few numbers and take some pics and shoot off to see someone else at another venue plus I don`t have to stand in a queue for a seat.
Alan and Co - Many thanks. - Phil B.
Please do not ban dogs from your lovely festival. My friend Brid and I love coming to Shrewsbury with our human friends. We are well behaved and cause no trouble and are fed up of being labled as bad because some people do not control their dogs as they should.
Hope to see you next year
Meg C x
I really enjoyed the festival this year, but I would like to highlight a particular problem that I had. During Kerfuffle's set on Saturday night we (me, my wife and three children) entered the main marquee via one of the entrances at the far end from the stage. We had a pushchair, and stood behind the seating area next to a row of other pushchairs. We were immediately told by a steward that there were too many pushchairs in the marquee and that we would have to leave. She said that we could take the pushchair into one of the entrances closer to the front of the marquee. We left and went round to the next entrance where we were told that we were not allowed in because pushchairs had to go in at the back (i.e. where we had just been told to leave). We walked back round and saw someone else with a pushchair being let in at the same entrance we had just been thrown out of, which was, I admit, annoying. We were stood outside listening to the music when another family were refused admission and told to go round to an entrance closer to the front. We stopped them and told them that we had been told the same thing, and that it was incorrect; they would not be let in there. They said that it was okay because a steward was going to escort them to the front entrance and take them in. The "steward" was, I think, actually one of the security people. We went around with her, and the other family, to the front entrance where she disappeared into the marquee. The steward at this entrance told us that pushchairs were not allowed in and that we would have to use the entrance at the rear (the one we had been thrown out of). He was very nice and apologetic about it, and, of course, it wasn't his fault, so I told him that I understood. We then decided to go to the opposite side of the marquee where we could watch the performance on the outside screen. By which time Kerfuffle were on their last song and we were not exactly in the right frame of mind to enjoy it anyway. Now, having said all that, I would like to say that this was one unfortunate incident in an otherwise great festival. We are definately intending to come back next year. I have chosen to moan about it here for two reasons: it is entirely preventable; and the organisers obviously read and take on board the comments written here. Unlike some of the other contributers to this comments thread I accept that some events will be popular and not everyone will be able to get in. But when you are asked to leave after entering a marquee which is clearly not full, and when you have done nothing objectionable, it does leave a sour taste. Perhaps at next year's festival there could be clearer guidance given to stewards regarding the admission of pushchairs? If we had been told at the entrance to the marquee that there was insufficient space for more pushchairs then we would have accepted this, as there could be a safety issue. But being asked to leave is quite different. And being sent on a number of wild goose chases just compounded it. I am sorry if this sounds really negative, but I thought it was important to be as clear as possible in explaining the problem we had. This is a great festival for children to go to, and I am glad that the organisers are already listening to the feedback of their attendees.
Anonymous
Thanks for your comments.
I can understand your frustration with the pushchair and gaining entrance into the main marquee, and would like to apologise for any inconvenience or embarrassment caused by being asked to leave the marquee.
We obviously have guidelines that we must follow for health and safety reasons, and our stewards implement these over the course of the weekend. It seems obvious that the steward was looking at this as a health and safety problem, but it should have been dealt with in a different manner.
We look at the way we manage the main marquee each year, and we will undoubtedly refine elements of this for the 2009 festival; I’ll certainly make sure this issue is raised.
Thank goodness most owners cleared up after their dogs, but some certainly didn't - I saw one wheelchair in a disgusting state and the poor user having her hands washed after going straight through a huge pile. On balance I think you should ban dogs!
Well - some festival goers seem less than laid back! I am a veteran of Cambridge Folk Fest and haven't been recently due to tickets selling out. We decided to give Cropredy and Shrewsbury a go, and were delighted by both. All three are very different and all have their own charms.
Cambridge is definitely not the relaxed come-and-go experience written by some of the commentators. Its cramped and occasionally fractious when families of 20 lay out half a dozen rugs and clear off for hours on end.
We love the seating at Shrewsbury - sometimes a festival goer likes to sit down without any fuss. The Shrewsbury campsite is the quietest, most civilised fest site I have been to and the vast majority of the dogs were well behaved.
Well done to all the organisers and stewards - a fab fest.
Colvin Quarmby were a great find - how can I have missed them previously? But best of all were the little pigs of Piggery Jokery.Please have them back next year.
to all at SFF - thank you so much - brilliant festival - most people I spoke to over the weekend will be coming back next year and will be bringing more of their friends and family with them (probably as well as people they have just met on the number 27 bus also!!!)
Highlights were
(1)the Duhks (all performances - including Sarah's vocal workshop - still brings a tingle down the spine) - we'll forgive them for not turning up to lead the session in the bar on sunday night as they were still in credit then. (despite the naysayers on the blog it says a lot that they were the most popular artist at the record store).
(2) Nancy, James and Rob - in workshop and concert - thanks for great memories
(3) Bellowhead - they seem to expand the bigger the venue - huge sound guys.
Point about Cambridge re previous bloggers - was a great festival and still gets great acts but now too big and too much hassle and has the "side" that SFF lacks - I know a bit of a dichotomy about being fab and the word getting around and not getting too big.
Final words on SFF - never seen so many happy relaxed people all together enjoying themselves without getting stressed out at the smaller details
see you all next year- and yes - please try and persuade Bill to come and headline
ps no-one seems to have mentioned the Wilsons - spot on !
Hi Alan, and team.
It was great to see you in the mud at Bromyard. I have just read the blog by Simon C.
And as i said to you yesterday, Simon C is most definitely not me.
I hope your festival goes from strength to strength and hope to play there myself one day.
I always leave my full name and wish other posters had the courage of their convictions to do the same.
Onwards and upwards.
Simon Care
great festival cannot wait until next year
Thanks very much for a great festival - Oyster Band, Bellowhead, Colvin Quarmby what more could you wish for on a August Bank Holiday.
Although we don't own any dogs, I love to see them enjoying themshelves, wearing their bandanas and beads. It would be such a same to ban them.
See you next year
Jean H
Thanks once again for a wonderful festival Oyster Band Colvin Quarmby Bellowhead Rory McCloud are just a few of the acts that we enjoyed over the weekend. It's such a relaxing festival with good facilities and a lovely setting.
I love to see the dogs at the festival I realise that the dog related incidents are upsetting for people, but this year is the first time that I have heard that there has been any trouble with dogs - so please don't forget all the previous festivals where dogs and people have enjoyed the weekend together. I have to say that I am biased, being a dog owner and banning dogs would mean that we have to miss our favourite festival of the year.
Jodac
It's the end of October. It's cold, dark and wet and I've been enjoying the Shrewsbury folk festival blog and I just want to say what an enjoyable time I had this year. Thanks to all of those who worked so hard to make it a success - again! My favourite performances were by RT, Ukelele Orch. Steve Tilston, Rory McLeod and the Tim van Eycken Band.
Next year? Oh, Billy Bragg and Karine Polwart PLEASE. Too soon to bring back The Wailin' Jennys?!
Had such a good time at the festival am still wearing my wrist band to remind me through the long winter nights. Can't wait till next year to see how you can beat it. Thanks for all your hard work
Gina
Really really enjoyed the festival, cant wait till next year. I loved Bellowhead and I thought they were fantastic. As people complaining about the loos, Ive been to far,far worse!
I was wondering if anyone here attended the fiddle workshop with Tanya Elizabeth from the Duhks. The workshop was really, as were all of the wrokshops, but we didnt get to finish learning the tune. We were told that it would be emailed to us, and I gave my email address but nothing has come. Does anyone know what has happened? Or even what it is called? Id love to learn it properly so I can play it for my A-level performance.
I loved all the workshops, there were so many to chose from it was great. A really enjoyable weekend. Thanks!
Hi
Thanks for your comments.
I've emailed Tania regarding your query, and as soon as she gets back to me I'll post something on the blog. If you'd like to send me an email to neil at shrewsburyfolkfestival .co. uk, then I'll also email you direct.
thanks again.
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