Zimbabwe’s Edith WeUtonga Confirmed for Shrewsbury Folk Festival 2026

Shrewsbury Folk Festival crowd at West Mid Showground

Zimbabwe’s own Edith WeUtonga has been confirmed as part of the growing international line-up for the 2026 edition of the Shrewsbury Folk Festival, set to take place from 28–31 August at the DMOS People West Mid Showground in Shrewsbury, England.

The award-winning singer, songwriter, and mbira ambassador joins a diverse roster of global folk and roots acts, marking another milestone in her expanding international career. Known for blending traditional Zimbabwean rhythms with contemporary Afro-fusion sounds, Edith WeUtonga’s inclusion places Zimbabwean music firmly on one of the United Kingdom’s most respected folk stages.

Festival organisers this week announced additional artists, including Cut Capers, Malin Lewis, and Katherine Priddy. They will perform alongside previously confirmed headliners such as three-time Grammy Award winner Lucinda Williams, Irish folk favourite Cara Dillon, and Ferocious Dog, who will appear with The Celtic Folk Orchestra.

For Edith WeUtonga, the booking represents more than just another international appearance. It highlights the growing global appetite for African-rooted contemporary folk music. Music promoter Tendai Chitapi said the development is significant for Zimbabwe’s creative sector.

“Edith has consistently carried Zimbabwean cultural identity onto global platforms. Performing at Shrewsbury exposes her music to new audiences who value authenticity and heritage-driven sound,” Chitapi said.

The 2026 festival will also feature a newly commissioned collaboration by the English Folk Dance and Song Society titled Adriano Adewale & Friends: Rooted and Rising. The project brings together composer and percussionist Adriano Adewale with acclaimed musicians including Nancy Kerr, Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne, and Kuljit Bhamra. The performance promises to unite musical traditions from England, Scotland, Brazil, Haiti, Colombia, the United States, and Punjab.

Edith WeUtonga’s performance is expected to showcase her signature mbira-infused sound and socially conscious songwriting, elements that have earned her recognition across Europe and Africa. Fans in the diaspora have already expressed excitement on social media, with one UK-based Zimbabwean writing,

“It’s powerful to see our music represented on such a respected stage.”

As anticipation builds toward August, Edith WeUtonga’s participation stands as a proud moment for Zimbabwe’s arts community, reinforcing her status as one of the country’s leading cultural exports and a global ambassador of contemporary Zimbabwean folk music.

Edith WeUtonga Shrewsbury Folk Festival 2026