FESTIVAL HONOURED WITH THE GOOD TRADITION AWARD AT THE BBC RADIO 2 FOLK AWARDS

31 July & 1, 2, 3 August 2014

The legendary Van Morrison will make his debut at Cambridge Folk Festival this year, as headliner for its 50th anniversary. With one of the most revered catalogues in music history and unparalleled talents as a composer, singer and performer, his Sunday set is sure to be a fitting finale to the celebrations. In another Festival first, internationally renowned singer-songwriter and activist Sinéad O’Connor, famed for her captivating stage presence and stunning vocal range, will be headlining Friday night.

Other initial names announced to give a flavour of 2014’s line-up are: Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Sun), celebrating over fifty years of their uplifting South African gospel influenced a cappella music; folk-rock royalty Richard Thompson (Fri), one of the world’s most critically acclaimed guitarists and songwriters; US singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash (Sat), following the release of career defining album ‘The River & The Thread’; global beat pioneers Afro Celt Sound System (Fri), fusing West African rhythms, Irish traditional music, cutting-edge dance grooves, Indian bhangra, Arabic influences, dub reggae, and more; US singer-songwriter and Festival favourite Loudon Wainwright III (Sat); a rare festival appearance from The Full English (Sat), featuring Fay Hield, Seth Lakeman, Martin Simpson, Nancy Kerr, Sam Sweeney, Rob Harbron and Ben Nicholls performing seminal early 20th century folksong; Multi-award winning Irish folk singer Cara Dillon (Fri); Pokey LaFarge (Thurs/Fri), playing a creative mix of early jazz, string ragtime, country blues and western swing; influential American folk singer Peggy Seeger (Fri), who played the very first Festival; critically acclaimed US singer-songwriter and former member of Drive By Truckers, Jason Isbell (Sun); leading traditional Irish music group Lúnasa (Sat/Sun); Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita (Thurs), a unique collaboration of classical harpist Finch and kora player Keita, exploring the traditions of Wales and Senegal; young American singer-songwriter and instrumental virtuoso Sarah Jarosz (Sat/Sun).

See the Festival website www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk for more information and tickets. More artists to be announced.

BBC Radio 2 has announced that the Cambridge Folk Festival is the recipient of the Good Tradition Award at this year’s Folk Awards. This award is given to a person, group or organisation for their contribution to the preservation, dissemination and continuance/progression of traditional music over a number of years.

Held annually in a beautiful tree lined park in Cambridge, the four-day outdoor Festival is considered one of the world’s most prestigious.

Having started life in 1965, the 14,000 capacity Festival showcases both international headline artists and young, emerging talent across four different stages and continues to enjoy sell-out success year on year. Renowned for its unique parkland setting, great facilities and family friendliness, the Festival offers something for everyone with street theatre, music workshops and sessions, raucous ceilidhs, open stages, a youth area, internet café, kids’ ceilidh, storytelling, free creche, paddling pool and playground, real ale bars.

Festival Manager Eddie Barcan said ‘We intend to celebrate 50 years of amazing music and great times in style this coming summer and look forward to welcoming everyone to Cambridge in July’.

Tickets: Full Festival £138; Thursday £21; Friday £50; Saturday £60; Sunday £60. Camping: (Full Festival tickets only, per 2-3 berth tent) Cherry Hinton £56, Coldham’s Common (second site) £38. Tickets subject to booking fee.

www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk

Cambridge Folk Festival is promoted by Cambridge City Council

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 6 April (Fifth Anniversary!)

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 23 February 2025.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 25 February 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 10 March 2025

THE SOUL REVIVAL Outlaw (indie)
WHEN RIVERS MEET Addicted To Love (indie)
ISABELLA STORM Satan’s Valentine (indie)
KEYSTONE Slow Down Honey (indie)
THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE Sleep Tonight (Metropolis Records)
SAWMOON Madness (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 10 March 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.