Cambridge Folk Festival 2017

Subject: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: Mysha
Date: 06 Apr 17 - 07:40 PM

Hi,

I'm wondering whether or not to go to this Cambridge Folk Festival. It sounds rather massive (compared to Ely Folk Festival, which I've been to twice). It also has a rather curious style on its website, that makes me wonder what it'll be about. In all, I'm not sure whether I shouldn't simply visit Cambridge, look around for a few days, ignore the festival, and cycle on to Oxford.

Does anyone know more about this festival? Are there things that are not to be missed? Will there be a Mudcat pond somewhere? Is the website style something to go by or to ignore?

Help appreciated.

Bye,
                                                                Mysha

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 07 Apr 17 - 12:52 AM

only been once. long queues for the lav. after the first day you were walking across a field of beer cans trodden underfoot. you get to see famous people, but theres not much of the folk club about it, a lot of foreigners who jabber away very loudly through everything, cos they wouldn't know Richard THompson from Richard Nixon.

once was enough for me, but some people love it.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 07 Apr 17 - 02:51 AM

There's a new team in charge this year, so there may be changes ( and perhaps a few hiccups). There is usually something for everyone - a folk club tent to big name world artists. Half way between a pop festival and a folk festival.
Cambridge is well worth a visit too, with old colleges, Mr Hobson, the start of football rules, botanical gardens etc.
FloraG.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: GUEST,Some bloke
Date: 07 Apr 17 - 03:14 AM

Something for everyone. T'was ever thus.

It is a festival more in the style of V, Reading, Glastonbury etc rather than most folk festivals so don't expect some of the fringe etc.

The guest list will expand most people's horizons. It is interesting to note that most buyers and downloaders of folk in The UK are under 30. Probably never heard of folk clubs let alone wish to sit with old buggers hearing something that was "authentic" in the '60s. Fusing roots tradition with adventurous acoustic arrangements is a huge part of YouTube these days and increasingly, Cambridge, always a showcase for big acts has been tapping into this market.

I've been going fairly regularly for almost forty years and look forward to it almost as much as Whitby but I'd compare the two in the same way I'd compare a day at the test match with Silverstone Grand Prix. Both sport, both of interest but chalk and cheese.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: GUEST,Andiliqueur
Date: 07 Apr 17 - 04:03 AM

I would agree about everyone's observations but would add that unless you camp or are prepared to find a spot to sit and stay there then there is a lot of standing. So you do need stamina for the 12 hour day! There's lot of people in a small area so very crowded and if you want to see someone in particular then get to the stage early as the punters are very territorial! However over the years I have got to see many of the great names that I didn't see when they (and I) were young so it was worth it!

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 07 Apr 17 - 05:14 AM

that's the other thing - don't leave anything in your tent - the festival is a magnet for kleptomaniacs.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: Gavin Paterson
Date: 07 Apr 17 - 05:24 AM

This year will be my 30th out of 31 years. I wouldn't miss it. I find camping and access to the arena very easy indeed.

There are hundreds of spontaneous sessions - all over the place - but few organised ones.

Re - thefts from tents. In my thirty years I've taken over 100 people to CFF. I've known one instance of a tent being broken into. So, yes it happens. but it's by far the safest vibe I've ever known at any festival.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: Johnny J
Date: 07 Apr 17 - 05:40 AM

I used to go during the eighties and it was good fun but I prefer smaller events and concerts these days. Nothing wrong with the acts but I'd rather see them elsewhere in more comfort.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 07 Apr 17 - 07:03 AM

So Big Al Whittle tells us:

theres not much of the folk club about it, a lot of foreigners who jabber away very loudly through everything

Well no, it's a festival in a big field.... Did you vote leave perchance?

Once was enough for me. Fair enough, each to their own. Hardly justifies your ill judged and inflammatory conclusion that: the festival is a magnet for kleptomaniacs though. Bollocks!

I love it. Yes, more pop festival than folk club. Depends what you want, really.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 07 Apr 17 - 09:29 AM

fair enough. perhaps i was just unlucky the year i went. perhaps things have improved.

people who go every year obviously know more about it than i do.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: Mysha
Date: 10 Apr 17 - 07:16 AM

Hi,

So, basically, Cambridge Folk Festival is basically a music festival that happens to focus on folk music. The artists on stage may be from outside my safety zone, but that won't necessarily mean I won't like them. There's less of an organised session range than there would be on a folk festival, but there'll be musicians meeting up anyway. There probably won't be an official Mudcat-pond. There's the usual risk involved of locks being less effective on cloth walls, offset with the usual low chance of finding anything of real value in a tent. And I could always wander about town, though I have no idea who mr. Hobson is.

Thanks. Did I miss anything of importance?

Bye
                                                                Mysha

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 10 Apr 17 - 12:50 PM

I was booked there as part of the Marsden Rattlers ceili dance band in 1968. We did our bit but thought the rest was rubbish so we went and spent the rest of the time playing in a pub just off the site.

Us innocent Geordie lads were also horrified at having to pay two and six for rock salmon (yuk) and chips- never liked folk festivals much ever since then....

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 10 Apr 17 - 07:34 PM

Well Jim so one visit to Cambridge put you off all folk festivals for life.

Unless they book you of course!!

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 11 Apr 17 - 02:30 PM

No- not all folk festivals, and have done my share of visiting when not booked, although I must say even when I am booked , I find myself thinking- what on earth am I doing here?. Maybe others think the same thing!
I think it was really the fear of another rock salmon experience which was the real cause...

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Apr 17 - 06:46 PM

at least in the south you get named fish.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 12 Apr 17 - 01:32 PM

Well, guest. you are not telling me that they still sell this stuff in the south?- surely not!! as for its name, it's certainly not a species of salmon, or you must have a vivid imagination.
It's some kind of Huss or dogfish, as I recall from my days in East Kent, so it is mis-named!
Not getting into a discussion about northern and southern fish suppers- there's only one winner there, and nothing to do with rock salmon

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: The Sandman
Date: 12 Apr 17 - 01:37 PM

Well, chips cooked in lard are very good, but much depends on the skill of the cook, best fish And chips i ever haD was in Fleetwood

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: David Carter (UK)
Date: 12 Apr 17 - 01:46 PM

Its a dogfish, and its called Flake in the South.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: David Carter (UK)
Date: 12 Apr 17 - 01:47 PM

That is, except when its called Barramundi, but I think they stopped them from calling it that.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: GUEST,Henry Piper of Ottery
Date: 12 Apr 17 - 02:07 PM

.........Probably because its NOT barramundi, which is an estuarine fish popular in Australia, The name Rock Salmon is no longer used exa because its not Salmon either, its generally known as Huss or Rigg, and the name is used to cover several small species of Shark or Dogfish. !!!

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: David Carter (UK)
Date: 12 Apr 17 - 02:49 PM

No, its not Barramundi. But at about the time I lived in Australia around 30 years ago, there was six times as much Barramundi sold in fish shops as caught in estuaries. Conclusion: most of it was shark.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: The Sandman
Date: 12 Apr 17 - 03:17 PM

Bloody sharks everywhere, on the folk scene too, using awards to publicise their own operations

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 13 Apr 17 - 05:26 AM

Most reliable 'chain' for fish and chips used to be Morrison's stores before they went national.
Not now, sadly, but there seems to be a competition between the many chippers in the South Shields/Sunderland area to provide the biggest piece of cod (or sometimes two!)- so best value is there.

-but maybe time to return to the subject- no plans to return to Cambridge, or any other festival till October....

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: The Sandman
Date: 14 Apr 17 - 03:06 AM

where you going to in October Jim

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 14 Apr 17 - 08:37 AM

Tenterden, Dick

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 14 Apr 17 - 12:14 PM

I go to Cambridge every year, although I'll have to miss it this year as my daughter is thoughtlessly getting married that weekend. Love it. Wouldn't miss it. They certainly do know the difference between Richard Thompson and Richard Nixon. RT is one of the biggest favourites of the audience at Cambridge.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: theleveller
Date: 14 Apr 17 - 06:45 PM

Ignore all the bollocks about fish and chips. Cambridge is a brilliant festival - nothing else quite like it. It's big for a folk festival but has several stages and a great variety of artistes. It can be a big muddy if it rains but that's part of the fun. We prefer to camp at Coldhams Common which has its own village atmosphere and a singers' stage in the evenings. Ignore the boring old whingeing farts and give it a go.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 14 Apr 17 - 07:25 PM

So that's it then!

Boring old whingeing farts not welcome.

Careful sonny we are rapidly getting to the point where we outnumber you.

Just keep working and paying taxes to finance our benefits.

cheers

One old fart

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 16 Apr 17 - 08:39 AM

Leveller, nobody said not to go to this festival- I just said we didn't enjoy it in 1968 & why- maybe it's different in 2017- you're entitled to an opinion, & so are other people, a concept younger 'hip' festival goers like you seem unable to understand without resorting to abuse.
Hope you have a great time, although your preference for a 'village atmosphere' sounds remarkably like what we sought in 1968?

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: Thompson
Date: 16 Apr 17 - 12:05 PM

The kleptos aren't new; back in 1973 or so the ticket consisted of an ocarina on a string; my toddler was wearing mine and some thief - the devil fetch him or her - stole it, a particularly nasty thing to do. In those days, I think you bought the one ticket for the whole weekend so I was trapped on site till the festival ended.
The festival now looks a bit too industrial-level and trendy for me. I'll be at a quieter one near Tours around that time.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 16 Apr 17 - 08:10 PM

Hi Thompson

So what's this festival near Tours?

Could be interested.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: GUEST,Crank Frummit
Date: 17 Apr 17 - 06:06 PM

Cambridge gives me the blues.

Subject: RE: Cambridge Folk Festival 2017
From: Mysha
Date: 30 Apr 17 - 06:03 PM

Hi,

Thanks for the help. I decided to go and see for myself. I booked a full ticked and a Coldhams Common tent spot. Then paying for it didn't work, thus my booking is probably in limbo somewhere, but I hope it can be sorted out.

I'm not quite sure when the festival starts and when it ends, though, which will be of some importance for the camping. Is there another camp site nearby that cyclists use to camp the nights before and after?

Bye,
                                                                Mysha