This year’s Cambridge Folk Festival was always going to be something very special for 2014 marks its 50th anniversary. And to honour this remarkable occasion the organisers have put together yet another stellar line up, one that reflects the changing nature of an event as it has evolved from its more traditional folk nascence in 1965 into one that now also embraces the very best in country, blues and roots music.
Returning once more to the beautiful surroundings of Cherry Hinton Hall, this year’s festival has long since sold out its ticket allocation. 14,000 visitors will now flood into the grounds of this wonderful Grade II listed Victorian country house on Thursday 31st July and for the next four days and nights enjoy some of the best traditional and contemporary music that is around today.
Sitting proud at the top of the bill and headlining the main stage on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night respectively will be the unpredictable and uncompromising talent that is Irish singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor; Johnny’s first born and a most powerful performer in her very own right, Roseanne Cash; and the man for whom there is No Plan B, the Belfast cowboy himself, Van Morrison.
Amongst many others and further reflecting its global attraction, an incredibly strong supporting cast is represented by one of the founding members of Fairport Convention and forefathers of the British folk-rock movement of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, Richard Thompson; the African male choral choir Ladysmith Black Mambazo; and the fiercely singular American singer songwriter, Loudon Wainwright III.
And that is before you have even got to Newton Faulkner, who headlines the second stage on the opening night of this year’s festival; the five-man Irish-American supergroup Afro Celt Sound System; two generations of English folk music courtesy of Martin & Eliza Carthy; and continuing to fly the flag for the greatest Celtic traditions of fiddle and accordion, Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham. Taking their places a little lower down the bill and with their hearts immersed in country and rockabilly, former Drive By Trucker Jason Isbell and Torontonian Lindi Ortega illustrate just how far Cambridge Folk Festival’s musical reach has extended over the years.
The 50th Cambridge Folk Festival runs from 31st July to Sunday 3rd August at Cherry Hinton Hall in Cambridge. Full details of the event can be found HERE
