This year’s Cambridge Folk Festival kicked off with a bang when festival favourites Hobo Jones & The Junkyard Dogs took to the stage with their own brand of skiffle and got everyone rocking and in the mood for a fantastic weekend. If you get to see them you are guaranteed a good time and expect to have any sort of implement thrust at you so you can join the junk band. After their frenzied set I interviewed them. They told me that last year the festival asked them to busk and it went down so well that this year they were booked. The club tent was packed for their set and so it's stage one all the way next year, boys.
Musical highlights included Laura Marling, Richard Thompson and Bellowhead. This year everyone went crazy about new comers The Secret Sisters, I interviewed them after the show. They told me that they loved playing UK festivals where the fans have deeper appreciation of their music and are more excited to see them than when they play in the states - flattery will get you everywhere. I asked whether they realised what an impact appearing on Jools Holland's later live would have. 'Not at all!' they replied. They said that there is nothing like Jools Holland in the states and they even admitted that they did not realise how big he is here, adding that they had a lot to thank him for.
Chris Wood headlined Thursday night. A lot of the musicians I spoke to agreed it was a brilliant set.
But of course a festival is not just about the great music. Its the people you meet, the street theatre, story telling, workshops for children and adults and the fast growing ceilidh scene, this year provided by the hugely enjoyable Tickled Pink. I interviewed Mark and Simon from the band who were excited that ceilidhs are taking off in a big way and are booked up for the summer.
During the festival I found a fun food outlet Bloomberry Juice Company. You need to peddle their bike to whizz up your smoothie. I had a go and it was thirsty work but it was worth it.
Other highlights included hilarious street theatre from three old grannies who dance on giant motorised shopping trolleys and go under the name of Granny Turismo.
John Row has been the resident storyteller at Cambridge for 20 years now and has been coming for longer, when I talked to him he was particular excited to see the influential songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter. I enjoyed his music and spoken word set at the Milkmaid club tent.
Another veteran is John Holder. He is now artist in residence and along with Jim Butler runs the drawing workshop which encourages sketching at the festival by children and adults. But 47 years ago he help set up the festival. The Mayor of Cambridge told me that he was proud of the festival and you can expect to see him in the crowd, gold chain of office and all.
There are opportunities for the whole family to relax with morning willow sculpture workshops with Tom Hare. All the workshops are free and range from reed garland making to clog dancing to fiddle playing with some top names giving very special workshops for young and old, like the impressive Newton Faulkner's guitar workshop to a packed stage 2; or Jon Boden's talk on setting up a folk club.
But the opportunites at Cambridge for musicians are just golden. With open mic slots at the Milkmaid and Cambridge club tents or just to busk. In fact a new addition this year was The Den. An intimate venue for young and emerging artists. I managed to get a slot to play and Mike Harding and Hobo Jones came to watch me! I saw The Staves there too, the mix of ukulele and the three sisters' beautiful voices was stunning.
On Friday there was a energetic headline set from the explosive Bellowhead. I got to speak to John Spiers, a co-founder of the band. Like so many people he loves to come back to this festival year after year, particularly to catch up with other musicians and catch some quality acts. Bluesman Robert Cray's set wasn't half as lively as everyone elses but was still amazing. Acoustic Punk artist Frank Turner went down an absolute storm, lots of people were singing along and the teenaged girls were screaming! He told me later that he loved it!
Folk guitar legend Richard Thompson played an extraordinary set on the Saturday. His big surprise was bringing on stage the comedian and actor Steve Mangan for a beautiful rendition of Sandy Denny's 'Who knows where the time goes'.
The Penguin Cafe played a wonderful set of all the favourite Orchestra's tracks and one new one. I also spotted Mark Radcliffe, cracking a smile at the Spookey Men's Chorale. They treated the children to their very own gig including their version of Abba's Dancing queen featuring lines such as 'young and sweet, only 43'.
The shanty superstars, Port Issacs Fisherman Friends played a set on the Sunday too featuring an inspirational version of Show Of Hands' number Cousin Jack.
Another favourite of the festival was Nashville based, Caitlin Rose. Rose's following in the UK is probably growing daily. She plays her own original take on country and americana, with grit and guts. She finished her set with her band walking off, her playing a tambourine and singing a song about a T-Shirt. I got to interview her later. She told me her influences are Bob Dylan and Linda Ronstadt. She is back in the UK for the End of The Road Festival in September and asked me to interview her again then - but I don't have a ticket. Sorry Caitlin! She also praised the great festival line up. I have to agree and absolutely everyone I spoke to raved about the mix of folk and roots from around the world, and of the big names mixed with great surprises. If you come to the Cambridge Folk Festival you are guaranteed to see the next big thing.
But the highlight of my weekend was when Headliner Laura Marling played a magical set on the Sunday. She treated us to two new songs that will soon be released on her 3rd album in September. And it was probably the highlight of my life when I managed to talk to her just as she came off stage. We chatted about our love of Bob Dylan, although I had to tell her that she has become my favourite of all time.
I've been to Cambridge every year of my life and this one was the best ever.
Published on 01 August 2011 by Ned Mansfield
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