Cambridge Folk Festival 2010

Posted by: Foot tapper on 01 August 2010

Went to see it yesterday. Brilliantly well organised with a wonderful friendly, relaxed and inviting atmosphere + 12 hours of music per day on each of the 2 main stages. Fabulous!

Low lights? The Unthanks for me. I just don't get it. Seems like music for those who find elevator music too brash & violent.

Highlights? Many. Natalie Merchant was wonderful, especially with a 5 piece backing group. Much better than at the Hammersmith Apollo when there was only Natalie + 2 (immensely talented) guitarists.

The biggest surprise was Pink Martini from Oregon, USA. Not exactly or even remotely folk, but boy do they know how to play. They just made everyone get up & dance. Never heard of them before but will watch out for them now.

Tickets apparently still available for Sunday, in case you want to go....

Anyone else go? If so, how was it?

Best regards, FT
Posted on: 01 August 2010 by Diccus62
I think the Unthanks are terrific live. Not sure if songs about domestic violence and alcohol dependency are close to elevator music. Natalie was wonderful at the Sage.
Posted on: 01 August 2010 by markah
quote:
Originally posted by Diccus62:
I think the Unthanks are terrific live.

+1
Posted on: 01 August 2010 by Guido Fawkes
I've never heard them playing The Bairns in any elevator I have been in.
Posted on: 02 August 2010 by Foot tapper
Hhhmmm, songs about domestic violence & alcohol dependency don't strike me as the obvious choice for elevator music either.

Perhaps it was just their lack of stage presence on the day that left many of the audience so uninvolved that it was a challenge to pay attention to the lyrics.

Fortunately, everyone else that we heard was considerably better. Kathy Mattea really woke everyone up and was excellent, while Jackie Oates has the makings of a real rising star.
Posted on: 02 August 2010 by Guido Fawkes
Jackie Oates is a real star - I have all her records and she is one of the best around at the moment.
Posted on: 02 August 2010 by markah
quote:
Originally posted by ROTF:
Jackie Oates is a real star - I have all her records and she is one of the best around at the moment.

I have her albums and had a good chat with her (as no-one else seemed to be bothering) after her very entertaining set at the Moseley Folk Festival last year. I only found out during that conversation that she is the sister of Jim Moray who also played at the festival. I must look out for more tour dates.