THE FORMER CLUB TENT TO PROVIDE A SHOWCASE PLATFORM FOR RISING ARTISTS FROM THE UK & IRELAND AND MORE
Cambridge Folk Festival is one of the longest running and most prestigious folk festivals in the world. Established by Cambridge City Council and held each year since 1965, the Festival is renowned for its unique atmosphere and eclectic mix of music. It attracts legendary traditional folk artists along with cutting edge contemporary acts, the finest Americana, blues and roots artists, world music and acclaimed singer songwriters.
This year The Festival is very excited to announce that the former Club Tent will officially become Stage 3 offering fabulous showcase opportunities for up-and-coming artists from across the UK and Ireland.
They are as follows:
England (New Routes Cambridge Junction): Emily Fraser, Honey & The Bear, Max Bianco, Simeon Hammond Dallas, The Smith & Brewer Band
Ireland: The Armagh Rhymers, Gráinne Hunt, The Henry Girls, Síomha
Scotland: Amy Laurenson, Beth Malcolm, Chloe Matharu, Michael McGovern
Wales: Cerys Hafana, Gwilym Bowen Rhys, Lleuwen, Pedair
Honey & The Bear
Augmenting the partnership Cambridge already has with English Folk Expo, in 2023 the Festival will also be welcoming Showcase Scotland Expo, Wales Arts International and Culture Ireland, to reach beyond its existing community, welcoming new folks into the Cambridge family and remaining a platform for championing the “grass roots” end of the music industry. Says Lisa Whytock of Showcase Scotland Expo:
We are delighted to present to you four of Scotland’s best young artists. Each with award accolades including the BBC, the four artists offer a taste of the new and contemporary talent that call Scotland home.
We are extremely pleased to be partnering with the Cambridge Folk Festival and to also see so many Scottish artists who have worked with us in the past, now performing on the main stages. A huge thanks to Creative Scotland for their support and we hope that you enjoy this programme and if time allows will visit Scotland for one of our wonderful annual festivals.
Eluned Haf Head of Wales Arts International at Arts Council of Wales said:
“Following a phenomenal year at Celtic Connections, I’m delighted that there will be a Wales spotlight at Cambridge. Festivals across our nations provide important stages for artists and audiences to engage in some of the incredible talents we share. In the week leading up to the National Eisteddfod of Wales, the national celebration of Welsh language culture in the Llyn Peninsula, we’ll be presenting some of the finest Welsh language talents from Wales in Cambridge. In the Year of Wales in France, and in the lead up to the Lorient Inter-Celtic Festival, we’re thrilled to present Lleuwen, who sings in both Welsh and Bretton. Pedair are a supergroup of female Welsh folk musicians, Gwilym Bowen Rhys is a true tradition barer and Cerys Hafana’s sublime vocals and intricate boundary pushing triple harp playing is a feast not to be missed.”
Sharon Barry, Director, Culture Ireland commented:
“We are delighted to be able to partner with Cambridge Folk Festival on this new initiative to bring new voices from the vibrant emerging Irish trad and folk scene to an international audience.”
Alongside the showcase artists, the full Stage 3 line-up will include hotly-tipped names from across the globe:
Blood Harmony – Doug Levitt – Faith I Branko – Georgie Buchanan Trio – Granny’s Attic – Jesca Hoop Mikey Kenney – Nigel Wearne – Núria Graham – Pavey Ark – Sons of Town Hall – The Vanguards
This fantastic new Stage 3 programme adds to the stellar names announced for Stages 1 and 2 (in alphabetical order):
Akram Abdulfattah – Amy Laurenson – Angeline Morrison & The Sorrow Songs Band – Angélique Kidjo The Armagh Rhymers – Arrested Development – The Ayoub Sisters – Baskery – Beth Malcolm Blood Harmony – Blue Rose Code – Breabach – Catrin Finch and Cimarrón – Cerys Hafana – The ChairChloe Matharu – Clare Sands – Daoirí Farrell Trio – Doug Levitt – Elephant Sessions Eliza Carthy & The Restitution – Emily Fraser – Faith I Branko – Ferris & Sylvester Fisherman’s Friends – Flyte – Gangstagrass – Gentleman’s Dub Club – Georgie Buchanan Trio – Gnoss Grace Petrie – Gráinne Hunt – Granny’s Attic – Gwilym Bowen Rhys – The Henry Girls – Hollie Cook Honey & The Bear – Ibibio Sound Machine – Imelda May – James Yorkston & Nina Persson Jesca Hoop – Jinda Biant – Judy Collins and The Unity String Quartet celebrating Wildflowers Julian Taylor Band – Kate Rusby – Kiefer Sutherland – Lady Blackbird – Le Vent Du Nord – Lleuwen The Longest Johns – Max Bianco – Maya Delilah – Michael McGovern – Mikey Kenney – Nick Cope Nigel Wearne – Niteworks – Núria Graham – Oi Va Voi – Pavey Ark – Pedair – The Proclaimers Rufus Wainwright – The Sharon Shannon Trio – Simeon Hammond Dallas – Siobhan Miller Band Síomha – The Smith & Brewer Band – Sons of Town Hall – St. Lundi – Stornoway – Symbio The Vanguards – William Prince
As well as the world-class music, there is so much more to enjoy over the Festival weekend, including dedicated children’s activities; workshops on instrument making and song writing; a silent disco, storytelling, clog dancing, tai-chi, and an incredible selection of mouth-watering food trucks and bars from some of Cambridge’s finest food merchants. The Festival is also proud to have been deemed “Outstanding” at the Greener Festival Awards.
Taking place from July 27-30 in the beautiful grounds of Cherry Hinton Hall, Weekend and Day tickets are now on sale.
Ticket information:
Full festival ticket: £205, Thursday: £31, Friday: £83, Saturday: £83, Sunday: £83
Prices include booking fees. Please see website for concessions, camping and parking information.
Purchase from: https://www.cambridgelive.org.uk/folk-festival/tickets
“a thoroughly good-natured event” The Guardian
“Welcome return as Cambridge Folk Festival becomes one big highlight” Cambridge Independent
“Year on year, it has evolved, staying relevant as the face of the genre has changed over the decades. Whether it’s classic folk or something more contemporary, the festival promises something for every folk fan.” Evening Standard
“For sheer class and integrity, it can’t be beaten.” The Independent
For further information please visit: www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk
www.instagram.com/cambridgefolkfest
www.facebook.com/cambridgefolkfest
