 |
 |
 |
Live Reviews |
||
 |
|
 |
Cambridge Folk Festival 2008
31 July - 03 August 2008
Like many, I was unexcited initially about this year’s line up for the festival when I received notification of it earlier in the year. But having lived through the event that was Cambridge Folk Festival 2008, I have to admit that what it lacked in breadth it made up for in depth of the performance of the artists.
I was looking forward to seeing Laura Marking on Thursday but unfortunately I missed the start of the festival due to illness so here is my pick of the bunch that made the remaining three days another memorable festival.…
|
|
|
| FRIDAY | ||
|
|
|
Eliza Carthy
One of the female cornerstones of the English folk scene, Eliza put in a glorious solo performance.
I hate to admit that this was the first time that I have actually caught an entire set of hers but now finally understand her popularity as a truly innovative singer and inventive fiddle player.
The Waifs
Gritty rock baselines and intricate jazz harmonica playing set these aside from the usual folk outfit that adorns the stage at the festival.
|
|
|
| SATURDAY | ||
|
|
|
Devon Sproule
I had no prior knowledge of Devon before the festival and if it wasn’t for a recommendation from fellow journalist I would have missed her set.
And what a treat it was. Her visual performance contained all the ingredients for a musical situation comedy and her sweet scatty links betray her hippy commune background.
Martha Wainwright
It takes a special talent to be able to get away with wearing florescent pink socks and sparkly silver sandals but Martha is a special talent after all.
Her musical heritage was evident in her performance this year and her collection of powerfully personal and evocative songs was a treat to behold.
|
|
|
| SUNDAY | ||
|
|
|
Seth Lakeman
Exploding onto the folk-scene in 2005, it seems like Seth has been an overnight sensation. But his high energy explosive fiddle playing and intensive stage presence is now embedded so much into the fabric of British folk music it is hard to imagine life without him.
What a fabulous performance.
Richard Hawley
The last minute substitution of John Hiatt for Richard made the festival a much more exciting prospect for me.
The folk festival may be a lifetime away from his time with Pulp but Richard looked so much at home. His rockabilly performance and retro image were a refreshing and welcome change. Let’s hope it doesn’t take someone to drop out of the line-up again before Richard returns.
|
|
|
|
|
|
This year’s festival again proved to me that just as you can’t judge a book by its cover, you can’t judge Cambridge Folk Festival by its line up listing months before the event. In some respects I found this year’s festival to be one of the most enjoyable in the eight years I have been covering the event mainly because I was able to take time to enjoy the full set of selected artists instead of racing from stage to stage to catch a glimpse of many.
See you next year, if I’m spared….
All words and images © CAT 2008
Written for Fatea Magazine
© Consultancy by Allison Thomas 2007
