Our favourite festival in all of the world Cambridge Folk Festival celebrated its 60th anniversary from 25th to 28th July 2024 at its usual home of Cherry Hinton Hall.  It was another successful year, maintaining its reputation as one of the world’s premier folk music events.

 

The Line-up

The festival continued to stretch the definition of folk, and showcase an incredibly wide variety of musical cultures, with some surprising big names. Notable performances included:

Robert Plant and Saving Grace featuring Suzi Dian: The former Led Zeppelin frontman delivered a captivating set, seamlessly merging classic rock with folk nuances.

Leyla McCalla: Her Saturday evening performance was particularly lauded, with tracks from her acclaimed album Sun Without The Heat going down a storm.

Fantastic Negrito: His blend of blues, funk, and soul was a standout moment.

Peggy Seeger: A stalwart of the folk scene since before many festival goers were born,  Seeger’s presence underscored the festival’s deep-rooted heritage.

Oysterband: Their dynamic performance added a spirited touch, engaging both long-time fans and new listeners.

Rhiannon Giddens: She delivered soulful interpretations using her mastery of multiple instruments

Larkin Poe: The sister duo’s gave a modern take on roots rock

 

What Makes Cambridge Folky Special

The festival embraced global sounds, with acts like Sangjaru who introduced audiences to traditional Korean instruments.  It also embraced global food, with food stalls including Japanese, Mexican, French, Tibetan, Greek, and Indian cuisine.

As usual, beyond the music, attendees enjoyed a variety of activities, including workshops, family-friendly events, and Community Repair Corner where a team of volunteers help repair items.

The full festival ticket price of £230 is not cheap, but all those who paid up will tell you it’s worth every penny.