Joan Baez • Nanci Griffith • The Waterboys • Steve Earle • Kate Rusby • Toots & The Maytals • Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder • Toumani Diabate & Symmetric Orchestra • Under One Sky • Show Of Hands • Sharon Shannon • Bellowhead Alabama 3 unplugged • Oysterband • Bruce Cockburn • Martin Simpson • Four Men & A Dog • Fanfare Ciocarlia • Solas • Shooglenifty • James Hunter • C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band • Fiddlers' Bid • Allison Moorer • Brian McNeill • The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain • Le Vent du Nord • Kris Drever • Seasick Steve • Rachel Unthank & The Winterset • Lau • Ruthie Foster • Haugaard & Hirup • Martha Tilston • Mabon • Jaune Toujours • Newton Faulkner • Breabach • Stömp • Last Orders • Mr Boom
An eclectic and exciting bill, featuring the best in contemporary folk and roots music, has been announced by 'Europe's most prestigious folk festival' (The Times) as it moves forward into its 43rd year. The Festival's reputation for quality music in intimate surroundings means tickets are set to sell out in advance. Early booking is strongly advised.
Many unique performances will include: an exclusive English festival appearance from legendary folk singer and activist Joan Baez; a rare festival appearance from 'Queen of Folkabilly' Nanci Griffith, who last played in 1992; one of a select few English shows from Celtic rockers The Waterboys, introducing a brand new album; the eagerly anticipated return of the exceptional and passionate U.S. singer-songwriter Steve Earle, performing solo; a special, album premiere from Festival favourite Kate Rusby, featuring brass band and string quartet; a rare U.K. festival appearance from legendary ska and reggae pioneer Toots & The Maytals; bluegrass legends Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, playing an exclusive U.K. festival show; a rare festival appearance from thrilling kora player Toumani Diabate & Symmetric Orchestra, bringing traditional Malian music to the international stage; a very special performance of Under One Sky, the first ever commission by Cambridge Folk Festival, in conjunction with Celtic Connections and featuring new compositions by John McCusker, Roddy Woomble, Graham Coxon, John Tams, Julie Fowlis and a host of others; one of England's finest acoustic duos Show Of Hands, former winners of BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Live Act; perennially popular Irish accordion star Sharon Shannon, with dazzling band Mike McGoldrick, Dezi Donnelly and Jim Murray, in a select few English festival appearances; intoxicating, critically acclaimed, English folk big-band Bellowhead, winners of Best Live Act and Best Group at this year's BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards; a unique chance to see the unplugged and acoustic Alabama 3, playing stripped down Delta blues style versions of Alabama 3 songs; godfathers of folk rock, the ever-popular Oysterband, showcasing their new album.
Special appearances continue with: an exclusive U.K. festival appearance by critically acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist Bruce Cockburn; revered, English folk guitar virtuoso and singer-songwriter Martin Simpson, launching his new album; hugely popular Irish traditional band Four Men & A Dog, making an exclusive English festival appearance; hot, Romanian gypsy, brass band Fanfare Ciocarlia, set to bring the house down; an exclusive U.K. festival appearance from one of the world's most exciting Celtic bands, Solas, also featuring former members John Doyle and Karan Kasey; groundbreaking roots-rave fusion from Scots band Shooglenifty, showcasing their new album; a rare UK festival appearance from critically acclaimed James Hunter, renowned for his extraordinary soul voice and impassioned performances; heir to the zydeco throne and guaranteed party-starter C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band; verve and stunning virtuosity from leading exponents of traditional fiddle music, Shetland's Fiddlers' Bid, in an exclusive English festival appearance; expressive, country songwriting and rich vocals from Alabama's Allison Moorer; one of Scotland's leading multi-instrumentalists Brian McNeill, hosting the Festival Session; all-strumming, all-singing The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, performing unique, fun re-workings of rock'n'roll, punk, jazz and classical music; an exclusive festival appearance from Le Vent Du Nord, joyously marrying traditional and modern Quebecois music; up and coming Scots folk singer and guitarist and winner of this year's BBC Radio 2 Folk Horizon Award, Kris Drever; unique American blues hobo Seasick Steve; Northumbrian-Tyneside folk quartet Rachel Unthank & The Winterset, following on from last year's hugely successful Club Tent showcase.
More eagerly anticipated performances include: Lau, the formidable union of three of the most innovative exponents of modern traditional music in Scotland today, Kris Drever, Martin Green and Aidan O?Rourke; an exclusive UK festival appearance from Ruthie Foster, whose powerhouse voice effortlessly mixes soul, blues, gospel and contemporary folk; outstanding, award-winning, Danish traditional duo Haugaard & H?irup; rising new-folk sensation Martha Tilston; leading Welsh Celtic band Mabon; explosive, Belgian band Jaune Toujours, mixing rock, chanson, ska, gypsy and brass band tunes; stunningly innovative roots guitarist and songwriter Newton Faulkner, introducing his debut album; Scottish firebrands Breabach, blending double bagpipes, whistle, fiddle, song and Scottish stepdance to dazzling effect; high energy English ceilidh band Stömp; BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award Winners 2007 Last Orders; children's concert with one man band Mr Boom.
All artists subject to contract.
The BBC Radio 2 Cambridge Folk Festival is promoted by Cambridge City Council Arts & Entertainments. BBC Radio 2, 88-91 FM, the official radio station of the Cambridge Folk Festival will bring you live broadcasts and highlights from the Festival.
Writer: Cambridge City Council Arts & Entertainments