Programme changes

There are a handful of changes to the programme - all the printed programmes have an insert that covers these, and we'll flag them up on the screens on site over the weekend too, but for information they are:

SATURDAY

SABRINA MARQUEE

Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston scheduled to start 22.45, will now start 20.00

Luke Jackson scheduled to start 20.00, will now start 21.50

Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson scheduled to start at 21.50, will now start at 22.45

MARQUEE 2

Jackie Oates scheduled to start 19.55, will now start 21.00

Abigail Washburn scheduled to start at 21.00, will now start 19.55

SUNDAY

MARQUEE 2

Caroline Herring scheduled to start 12.20 will now start 13.30 

Rua MacMillan scheduled to start 13.40 will now start at 12.20

We apologise for the other changes, but many of our artists want to make guest appearances with each other during the festival, and we needed to juggle some artists' times to make this possible.

Workshops

The details of this year's workshops are now live on our website at http://www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk/lineup/workshops/index.shtml.

So what can you expect? We've got the usual wide and varied timetable including something for everyone from musicians, dancers, teenagers and children.

Fancy trying your hand at Bhangra? Or setting yourself up for the day with a spot of yoga? Well, you can at Shrewsbury. There's Taiko drumming and henna tattooing for the Refolkus (12-25 year olds) gang, dance workshops from the African Cultural Exchange, all manner of sessions for musicians and that's just to mention a few.

A very special treat for the guitarists among you this year is a general guitar workshop from the one and only Phil Beer from Show of Hands!  It's guaranteed to be standing room only so get there early if you want to learn from the master.

Silent ceilidh

You've probably heard of a silent disco but SFF 2012 brings you .....the silent ceilidh! You can take part in this 'new to SFF' dance event in the Dance tent on Saturday night from 11pm, DJ'd by non other than Jim Moray.

All the dancers wear radio headphones and the DJ produces a simultaneous programme of two alternative types of music - one traditional and the other pop - but all at the same time signature. 

You can take your pick of which music you want to dance to and the caller is heard over the top of both types of music on the headphones making for an evening of fantastic dancing.

There's going to be a pirate theme - 'aye, aye Jim lad!' - so bring your fancy dress! It promises to be an amazing night and demand is likely to be high so get there early.

Fay Hield & Hive concerts

Fay Hield will be The Hive in Shrewsbury on Saturday night - just two days before the launch of her new album Orfeo so the chances are you might get to hear a sneak preview or two!


Tickets are still available from the Hive 01743 234970 or on the door. 


Nancy Kerr and James Fagan will end this season's run of gigs on Sunday, June 17 - tickets also from the Hive. Doors for all concerts at 7pm, with performances beginning at 7.45pm.


Who has made it into the 2012-2013 concert series will be revealed at the gig on June 17!

Fabulous Friday tickets - your last chance!

We have just eight Friday tickets left at the time of writing. Friday's your chance to see Anxo Lorenzo, Jonathan Byrd, Kimber’s Men, Lau, Madison Violet, Miranda Sykes & Rex Preston, Session A9 and Vin Garbutt. If you've toyed with the idea of coming to Shrewsbury but never done it, now's your chance to have a taster session and see what you think!

Here's the link to the online booking page 

Thumbs up from Camping magzine

More award news (we're blushing now) - Camping magazine has chosen us as one of the top 50 music festivals of 2012.


You can read more here - http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/Camping/Online-Store/Camping-Magazine/Camping-Magazines/Camping-Magazine-June-2012-_sc70_pd3442.


They've also got an app that you can download - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/camping-magazine/id458639112?ls=1&mt=8


So do you camp at SFF?  We're planning improvements to campsite 2 this year - it may be across the road from the main campsite but it's a prime location near the main stage and more importantly, the loos and showers! Grab your pitch early is our advice.

Kieran Goss - live at The Hive

We've got five pairs of tickets to give away to see singer songwriter Kieran Goss as part of his Live and Solo tour on Sunday, May 20 at The Hive, Shrewsbury. 

Kieran is an accomplished musician, who recently supported Fairport Convention on their winter tour. Kieran’s songwriting skills have attracted international attention with recordings by some of Ireland’s top artists, including Mary Black, Christy Moore and Frances Black. He also has half a dozen albums and a top 10 single to his credit. If you want to see him perform go to http://www.facebook.com/kierangoss/videos.

To win a pair of tickets answer this question: What kind of sunrise was the title of Kieran's sixth album? Send your answer to neil@shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk by May 14 to be in with a chance of winning. Five winning answers will be selected at random and you will be notified by email. 

To book tickets (£12), contact The Hive on 01743 234970. 

Sunday Times and ticket update

The good news: The Sunday Times has chosen us as their 'pick' of folk festivals in today's festivals special. 'A brillant bill' and 'family friendly folk staple', they say!

The bad news: The only tickets we have left are 17 Friday day tickets - all weekend and Sat/Sun/Mon tickets have sold out. If you've already got yours, you can add extra under 18s and camping.

Just Friday tickets left

The only tickets we have left are 30 Friday tickets. That's your chance to see Anxo Lorenzo, Jonathan Byrd, Kimber’s Men, Lau, Madison Violet, Miranda Sykes & Rex Preston, Session A9 and Vin Garbutt. If you've never been to Shrewsbury, why not pop along and try it out? We promise you'll enjoy it! Here's how to book http://www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk/tickets/book/index.shtml

WEEKEND TICKETS SOLD OUT (Friday & Monday still available)

We have sold out of weekend tickets, four months ahead of the festival. This is even earlier than last year, so we really hope you've got yours. A small number of Friday and Monday day tickets are still available. If you've already bought tickets you will be able to add extra youth and camping tickets. Roll on August 24th!

Last call for tickets

As of 9.30am this morning (Saturday April 21) we have just 10 weekend tickets, 30 Friday and 4 Monday tickets left. No more adult tickets will be released. Existing ticket holders will be able to add youth and camping tickets up until the time of the festival. We hope you've got yours!

Ticket update, Friday April 20

At 9am this morning we had 40 weekend, 31 Friday and 6 Monday adult tickets left. If you've already booked and want extra youth tickets or camping these can still be added. Here are the ways to book http://www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk/tickets/index.shtml

Ticket update

Today's ticket update - we have just 57 weekend, 32 Friday and 6 Monday tickets left (these are adult tickets). We will sell out imminently so please book now to avoid disappointment!

If you've already bought tickets, you will be able to add extra youth tickets and camping so don't panic if your kids have suddenly decided they want to come or you've just invested in a new tent!

You can book online easily following the link at www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk.

See you in August.

99 adult weekend tickets left

Yes, that's right. 99 adult weekend tickets are all we have left. No more will be released. Nada. Zilch. Zero. So this is absolutely the last chance and given past experience, they could be sold within the next week. So please don't be disappointed. And tell your friends!

Dail Telegraph festivals list

The nice people at the Daily Telegraph apparently think we're worth a visit - it's in chronological order so we're in at number 90.

Daily Telegraph best festivals list

We only have a few tickets weekend tickets left but they will soon be gone - so please don't leave it too late!

Design the SFF t-shirt for 2012

Design the SFF T-Shirt Competition

Win a family ticket to the festival!

Following on from the really successful t-shirt design competition last year, we're going to run the same competition again.

We've also listened to the feedback on the shirts - you all loved the design, but felt the quality of the shirts wasn't as good as we've had in previous years, and you wanted a broader range of colours!

This year we aim to get it right with a great design and we're already looking at some fantastic quality shirts and colours; so hopefully we'll be perfect....

The Prize

• A family ticket (2 adults, 2 youths) with camping to the 2012 festival
• An invitation to the festival reception, Sat 25th August
• Full acknowledgement in the programme
• Free t-shirts that feature your design
• Warm fuzzy feeling seeing hundreds of people wearing your shirt

Artistic Brief

We're very open-minded about the design, so will leave this to your imagination.

If you're looking for pointers, then a design that is inspired by, or reflects one or more of : folk music, Shrewsbury Folk Festival, the tradition, performance, Shrewsbury etc. would be good places to start.

The image would be placed on the front of a t-shirt.

How to enter

Entries can be submitted electronically as .jpg, .pdf or .ai formats (minimum 300dpi please) to Neil Pearson neil@shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk

Please contact Neil if you'd like to submit an entry on disc or through the post.

Closing date Closing date is 16 April 2012. Any questions to Neil Pearson

T-Shirt Winner 2011

Earlybird offer coming to an end!

EARLYBIRD OFFER ENDS

WED 29th FEBRUARY

Don’t miss out, buy your tickets now

and save £15 on each adult weekend ticket

You can book by the following methods

Online here

Phone 0115 959 7908 (Gigantic Tickets)

Post booking form with cheque details here

Tickets are on sale now and full details, prices etc. are on line here

KT Tunstall at Shrewsbury Folk Festival

We're delighted to announce KT Tunstall as part of our line-up for 2012.

Having one of the most successful cross-over artists on the scene headlining our final day really is the icing on the cake of our best ever line-up.

The Scottish musician, who has a clutch of musical accolades including a BRIT award, an Ivor Novello award and a Grammy nomination to her name, will play solo to close out our 2012 event.

KT joins a line up that already includes

Richard Thompson

Show of Hands

Plainsong

Kate Rusby

Jim Moray

Jackie Oates

Jon Boden & Remnant Kings

Faustus

The Sweetback Sisters

Abigail Washburn

Karine Polwart

Anxo Lorenzo

Lau

Vin Garbutt

Session A9

Tickets

Tickets are on sale now and are selling faster than ever..last year we sold out in April and there were many disappointed people, so please order your tickets early if you would like to come to the festival.

Our early bird offer ends on February 29th this year (a month earlier than usual)

Full details on ticket prices and how to buy here