Music > Live Reviews
Cambridge Folk Festival 2017 - Sunday
31/07/17
I was extremely fortunate to have visited Cambridge Folk Festival last year, and it charmed the pants off me. A beautiful setting – urban yet bucolic, staffed entirely by enthusiastic and friendly volunteers and with a great mix of music that stretches the definition of folk to its breaking point, I was more than happy to return this year and cram as much into one day as was humanly possible.
First up was Chris T-T and one of the two reasons why I had chosen Sunday as my day to attend. I saw him play a brief set in Norwich last year and he completely blew me away. Once again performing his show of A.A. Milne poems set to music, he instantly filled the Stage 2 arena and played a sublime set. There is such a purity to Chris’ voice and the warmth and passion with which he presents his music is something very special indeed. A quick stop at the Club Tent next to watch some of Andy Wall. Andy helps to run the Ely Folk Festival, who curate this stage on a Sunday, and is clearly a man steeped in the music. It was a very relaxed and pleasant 20 minutes that I spent listening to him perform. Time for a stop off at the main stage next to see some of the Eskies, who I had caught the tail end of last year in The Den. I have to admit I’m less keen on the Celtic sound in folk music, but even from the back of the main arena it was hard not to be impressed by this lively Irish group, and they absolutely won the crowd over, getting a response that belied their early stage time. They’ve come a long way in a year and building on their live reputation will only see them playing to bigger crowds in years to come.
The Den is the smallest tent at the festival, tucked away and almost inviting you to sit not stand. Sam Gleaves was beginning his set as I arrived and he proved to be one of the highlights of the entire day. Playing Appalachian mountain music, even Eastern Kentucky mountains music he told us, singing in his clear, pure voice and accompanying himself on banjo or fiddle there was an incredible authenticity to his performance. He’s the kind of guy who calls people Sir or Ma’am, plays music at square dances and, having arrived moments before his set – skidding in on two wheels – was overjoyed to be playing for us. Discovery of the day for sure. Heading over to Stage 2 next for William The Conqueror proved to be a good move. A three piece with a nice line in swamp rock, the sleazy groove on tracks like Did You Wrong really got the crowd involved. With excellent playing from all three members and a sound that really swung, I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on these guys, especially as their debut album is released later this week.
Jon Cleary next on the main stage. From New Orleans via Kent, Jon has immersed himself in the music of his adopted home town, and his solo piano R&B/honky-tonk set was diverting enough, but I found it to be a little one dimensional so headed back over to Stage 2 for Kate In The Kettle. Described as the sounds of a musical botanist, all of Kate Young’s songs are inspired by her love of plants and this trio provided another beguiling set of music. Best described as chamber folk, the sound of two fiddles and cello in perfect harmony with Kate’s angelic voice was another unexpected highlight of the day.
My other reason for attending the Sunday line-up was to see living legend Loudon Wainwright III on the main stage, and he did not disappoint. For an hour he delighted the large crowd with his heartfelt songs, with his self-deprecating humour and with his natural ease as a performer. More than ably assisted by the equally brilliant David Mansfield on “everything” and Chaim Tannenbaum on banjo this was for me the high point of the day, and hearing him play School Days, the first song off his debut album, was probably my track of the day. Following Loudon was going to be difficult, but if anyone could then surely folk royalty the Oysterband would be that act? Not entirely I have to say, at least in terms of my musical preferences. They were assured and popular with many of the audience but personally they veered too close to the middle of the road so after 15 minutes or so I headed to Stage 2 to watch Martin Simpson. Martin is a legendary name in English folk and has been playing and recording since the 70s, and it showed. Initially accompanied only by a double bass, although joined by other musicians as his set progressed, it was astonishing how his finger picking and slide guitar playing filled the arena. Warm, moving, complex and deep it was easy to lose oneself in his sound.
With just a few hours left now until the end of the festival I headed back to The Den to watch some of Twelfth Day, a Scottish duo playing fiddle and harp who made for another complete change of pace. When Esther & Catriona’s voices chimed together it was a wonderful sound, and although at times they were a little rough around the edges, there was definitely some magic at play here, with something quietly disconcerting enough about the sound to make it stand out. I only saw two songs by Daphne’s Flight, the one act I didn’t really give myself enough time to fully engage with I’m sorry to say. The tent was packed for them, and although I didn’t particularly enjoy the first song, the second track was a thing of vocal harmonic wonder. I should have stayed for more, but I really wanted to see Admiral Fallow, a highly regarded Scottish outfit. Initially I was impressed with their mix of traditional with modern, and there were elements of progressive there that were pretty exciting. As I watched a few more songs though my attention began to wander and considering they were headlining Stage 2 it felt like most of the crowd were watching Hayseed Dixie over on the main stage.
Although I had taken the time to eat and have a few sit downs by this time of the festival, tiredness was beginning to take its toll and I really needed something to properly catch my imagination. I headed back to The Den for the Buffalo Skinners, a young Sheffield band that once more specialised in brilliant playing and sweet harmonies. They were almost like a folk Coral, who had the crowd in the palm of their hand. Top marks to James Nicholls for his nonchalant under arm fiddle playing. The Den is definitely the venue which shows where the stars of tomorrow are coming from. I could have easily rounded out the night with them but there was just time for one final stop at the Club Tent to see Wild Willy Barrett’s French Connection. This was the right decision. The tent was packed, the crowd were raucous, the playing expert and the mostly French vocals by Aurora Chanson playful and provocative. They even ended on a cover of that most French of songs…Ca Plane Pour Moi!
So after 11 hours and 15 acts that was Sunday at the Cambridge Folk Festival done. Guest curator Jon Boden had chosen some of the acts I’d seen and had guested with several of the musicians I’d watched. The guest curator is a new concept and will be returning next year – a great idea I think, and helped to give this day a special feel. Cambridge Folk Festival really is a slice of musical heaven; open minds and lack of pretension are what people arrive with. I’d love to do the whole festival next year, but for this one day I felt truly blessed to have spent it in the company of so many talented and accomplished artists.