It's more than folk

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 04 August 2008 14:35:03

So we're back to reality after Cambridge - see here for link to BBC site with full coverage. Yesterdays music was as good as the previous couple of days (Seth Lakeman, Judy Collins, Richard Hawley and Joan Armatrading all wowing the audience).

What was interesting over the weekend was to notice how the festival continues to evolve. The mix of music, as ever, was much wider than the "folk" label suggests. This was highlighted yesterday when Richard Hawley and his band stepped in at short notice to fill a main stage slot. The band play a kinda indie 50's type of music and look like a mix between Elvis and Nick Cave. Basically it's quality easy listening. They got a wonderous and raptuous reception from the audience and the lead singer seemed v. genuinely surprised. Yet, the easy listening music they were playing fitted the festival and tastes of the middle class, mixed age audience perfectly.

What I love about Cambridge is it really is about the music. You never quite know what you're going to end up wandering into but it's generally quality. You end up finding yourself entranced by artists, particularly older artists who were "before your time", playing and singing in a way that is simply beautiful.

The organisation of the festival seems to improve year on year and the appearance of the Co-op, with their more reasonable prices, on site was a welcome addition. Also Stagecoach's ongoing support of the festival means that the travelling between the campsite and the main site is a stress free experience. Cambridge City Council should be proud of what they do with the festival.

If I had to recommend any "mainstream" festival to people or a festival to introduce festival virgins to the experience it would be Cambridge. Due to the smaller site though I would advise you to get onto the list for e-mail updates so you can get tickets when they become available, as they go pretty quickly.