this year's cambridge folk festival is only a few days away (26 - 29 july) and for the first time ever i took the time to check out the entire line up before heading to a festival. after a few hours of listening to great and not so great music, here's my top 15 of bands (in alphabethical order) you should try to catch at the cambridge folk festival this year. see you there!
the four-piece from london is basically the embodiment of uk americana. having seen them many times before, i can assure you that you will not be disappointed. beautiful harmonies and simply a sound you have to dance to is exactly what you can expect from ahab.
*listen to: lightning bug, run me down
*CFF day: thursday
she describes her sound as alternative folk but in my opinion there's a bit of pop and even some jazz/rnb in there as well. charlene soraia started playing guitar at the age of 5 and released 3 eps before recording her debut album moonchild (which was released on peacefrog records in january 2012). i'm intrigued to see if the honesty of her lyrics also comes across on stage.
* listen to: bipolar, postcards from io
* CFF day: saturday
lately it seems like dry the river are everywhere. that's no surprise though. since they released their debut record shallow bed earlier this year, they're the one and only folk-rock band you cannot run away from. rightly so and definitely a band you shouldn't miss.
* listen to: animal skins, lion's den, shaker hymns
* CFF day: thursday
it is a mystery to me why these guys are not yet signed to a major label. it can only be a matter of time as i don't see how anyone can resist those wonderful vocals mixed with traditional folk bits and of course a small personal touch. next big thing on the folk radar? perhaps.
* listen to: sophie, hesitate
* CFF day: saturday
it doesn't matter which big music magazine you read right now, you will definitely come across jake bugg at one point. with a voice like richard ashcroft, his music fits right in with bands like oasis or even johnny cash. great sound that gets you going. he's one to keep an eye on.
* listen to: country song, lightning bolt
* CFF day: friday
CFF is certainly not limited to just folk music and jay leighton is a good example for the variety of music at the festival. i'd describe his music as melancholic pop with a shade of folk. jay leighton plays tunes that get you dreaming and hopefully this energy will come across on stage aswell.
* listen to: night and day, everything you love
* CFF day: saturday
do not miss her because she's simply brilliant. that's all you need to know, so i repeat: don't be an idiot and make sure to catch her set!
* listen to: glory days, wherever i go
* CFF day: sunday
here's the man i'm probably most looking forward to (among a few others). lee mitchell has an irresistable voice. you're drawn to his music and can't do anything about it. but that's just the way it goes and it's not surprising at all. check him out. you'll be glad you did.
* listen to: regrets, these dirty words
* CFF day: friday
i came across lera lynn by accident a few weeks ago. obviously i was very thankful to find out that she's playing at CFF. her record have you met lera lynn? is already one of my favourite albums of 2012. beautiful vocals and a relaxed folk sound... perfect mix.
* listen to: happy ever after, for the ride
* CFF day: sunday
when i first checked out the miserable rich earlier this year, i had mixed feelings about their sound and decided to see them live to make up my mind. and the verdict? incredible live band, especially unplugged. absolutely amazing and definitely a band to see at CFF.
* listen to: laid up in lavender, imperial lines
* CFF day: saturday
phantom limb are already one of my CFF highlights. having seen them support ahab in london, i cannot wait to experience this live magic again. yolanda's voice is absolutely to die for. there's nothing that'll keep you from falling in love with this band.
* listen to: missy, the pines, tumbling down
* CFF day: friday
another female artist? yes. i'm usually not that much into female vocals but the CFF simply offers so many amazing female artists that it's hard to simply ignore them all. rachel sermanni has got a gorgeous voice that seems to literally flow through her songs. stunning.
* listen to: eggshells, the fog
* CFF day: sunday
she's got the gospel voice i was looking for while browsing through the line up. ruthie foster brings classic american gospel music combined with modern blues/jazz elements to the uk. brilliant voice, great sound. you'll find me in front of the stage during her set.
* listen to: welcome home, it makes no difference
* CFF day: sunday
he's playing the fiddle like no one else (besides sam sweeney perhaps) and he sings too - if that doesn't make you want to see him, let me tell you that his drummer is incredible. both of them together and you're definitely in for a treat.
* listen to: the watchman, tender traveller
* CFF day: sunday
3 beautiful sisters and they're all blessed with incredible talent. who would've thought? but it's true. gorgeous 3-part harmonies accompanied by a guitar and a ukulele in most cases. it doesn't get much better than this. make sure to catch them at least once.
* listen to: i try, the motherlode
* CFF day: saturday & sunday
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