This year’s edition of the legendary Cambridge Folk Festival takes place from 31st July to 3rd August, with a solid and varied line-up befitting its reputation as one of the finest events on the summer festival calendar.
Having always maintained a very loose definition of ‘folk’, this year’s festival will feature headlining performances from enigmatic pop star Sinéad O’Connor, country royalty Rosanne Cash (daughter of Johnny), beloved singer-songwriter Van Morrison, and popular guitar virtuoso Newton Faulkner. Also appearing are Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the vocal group who helped bring South African music to the world on Paul Simon’s landmark Graceland; former Drive-By Trucker Jason Isbell, whose latest album of plaintive alt-country – Southeastern – was a highlight of 2013; and classic American folk songwriter Loudon Wainwright III.
Despite the abundance of genres on offer, the traditional British and Irish folk scenes are still very well represented, with artists such as Richard Thompson, Cara Dillon, Seth Lakeman, The Full English, Martin & Eliza Carthy, Fisherman’s Friends, and Oysterband playing over the course of the long weekend.
The Cambridge Folk Festival takes place at Cherry Hinton Hall, only a few miles from the city centre, and is easily accessible from the train station, with free buses to and from the festival site.
The event tends to sell out quickly, though tickets are still available for the Friday from the festival website.
