Nick Mulvey announces his Cambridge Folk Festival line up
The guest curator of the Cambridge Folk Festival, singer Nick Mulvey, has announced his chosen acts for the weekend.
Making their debut at the festival will be Imarhan, an Algerian rock quartet; Chartwell Dutiro, a singer-songwriter from Zimbabwe; and Fofoulah, who have roots in West African sabra drumming fused with a mix of hip-hop, pop, jazz, electro and dub.
The rest of the acts announced are returning to the festival, including Bristol-based English Rachael Dadd, Welsh harpist Catrin Finch and Senegalese kora player Seckou Keita.
Nick was asked to take over the role from last year’s guest curator, Rhiannon Giddens. He said: “I haven’t approached this in a conceptual way, with an overarching idea, I have just booked acts and artists I love. I have known about the festival my whole life, having grown up in Cambridge, but the first time I’d actually been along was 2012 when I really was in the beginning of my solo career a musician. It was 2012
Nick was asked to take over the role from last year’s guest curator, Rhiannon Giddens. He said: “I haven’t approached this in a conceptual way, with an overarching idea, I have just booked acts and artists I love. I have known about the festival my whole life, having grown up in Cambridge, but the first time I’d actually been along was 2012 when I really was in the beginning of my solo career a musician. It was 2012 when I played The Den, and would have been one of those times when I was given a platform to play my songs, in the early days before I had a record deal and things had started going, so I could start building my audience on the festival circuit.”
As part of a long-standing commitment to nurture new talent, Cambridge Folk Festival features up-and-coming Showcase Artists in the Club Tent. Every year, one of these outstanding talents is picked to return the following year for a slot on Stage 2. This year’s showcase artists are Maz O’Connor, Lieutenant Leek, Bryony Griffith, PicaPica and Becky Langan. Chosen from last year’s line-up to return is AK Patterson on Stage 2.
Also added to the main bill this week is the Devonian folk group Mad Dog Mcrea who blend a unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and ass-shakin’ music. From self-penned songs of adventure, drinking and love, to traditional tunes about gypsies, fairies, legless
Also added to the main bill this week is the Devonian folk group Mad Dog Mcrea who blend a unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and ass-shakin’ music. From self-penned songs of adventure, drinking and love, to traditional tunes about gypsies, fairies, legless pirates and black flies – Mad Dog Mcrea never fail to capture their audience with their infectious songs.
The festival takes place on August 1-4. For tickets, visit cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk. Cambridge Live Box Office 01223 357851
New Names Added
Imarhan
Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita
Rachael Dadd
Chartwell Dutiro
Fofoulah
Mad Dog Mcrea
Maz O’Connor
Lieutenant Leek
Bryony Griffith
PicaPica
Becky Langan
AK Patterson
Already Announced
Lucinda Williams
José González
Nick Mulvey
Richard Thompson
Ralph McTell
Tunng
Fisherman’s Friends
Lisa O’Neill
Lil’ Jimmy Reed & the A Team
Talisk
Nancy Kerr, James Fagan & Friends
Sam Sweeney
Rura
Jarrod Dickenson
Karine Polwart
Calexico and Iron & Wine
Amadou & Mariam and Blind Boys of Alabama
Graham Nash
The Unthanks
Gruff Rhys
Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening
The Rails
McGoldrick, McCusker and Doyle
Siobhan Miller
Holy Moly & the Crackers
The Tweed Project
Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra
Sarah Darling
Daoiri Farrell’s All-Star Celtic Session feat. Michael McGoldrick, Donal Lunny, Niamh Dunne, Sean Og Graham, Donald Shaw and Robbie Walsh
Roo Panes
Jack Broadbent
The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican
Ryan Young and Jenn Butterworth
Katie Doherty & the Navigators
Kerri Watt
Amy Montgomery
Lucy Ward
SING4SANE
The Sisters of Elva Hill
