The anticipated day drizzled the cream of Cambridgeshire's musical talent over Midsummer Common.
 | | Strawberry Fair: Copyright Mike Thornton |
The musical treats began at midday on Saturday 4th June, when the all five stages kicked off their very distinctive styles. A quick jaunt to the Bigger Wam Stage allowed an introduction to some smaller acts and some already very mellow crowds. Bubbles floated through the air whilst Joe Wilkes serenaded the masses stretched out on the ground before him. In such close quarters and each band in quick succession, his set made an impact purely for the humanity of it all, his laid back attitude and emotive tunes eked out to the chillers amongst the blades of grass. This stage was also directly in front of the Herbal High stand! The lack of a dance stage did not leave fans of the beat wanting. Many congregated near the Reggae Tent, the first music to hit most fair attendees' ears when entering onto the common. The general sound wavered between spaced out highs and grooves to hard-hitting beats with deeply dark melodies.
 | | Strawberry Fair: copyright Mike Thornton |
For the majority of fair-goers, the place to park your trendy behinds was the expanse in front of the East Stage. Here television crews, wannabe-jugglers and absurdly colourful umbrellas clamoured to catch some of the best local bands with the biggest production sounds of the day: Just George played a solitary set of strained melancholy and melody with acoustic guitar. When joined by a percussionist and backing vocals the energy was lifted to a higher level of chilled out ambience. Badwell Ash, a young but mature three piece of which every member is no older than 18, refused to relent their boundless energy. Frontman Stewart bounced with tigger-like enthusiasm. Throwing out packets of sweets and asking the crowd "Who likes Jelly Babies?" certainly won onlookers over if they hadn't already been impressed by his gorgeously textured voice and the band's bluesy riffs. Right Turn Clyde offered the main source of heavy punk metal with rampant guitar and soaring, painfully emotive vocals. But it was Moe Foe whose mighty drum 'n' bass throb captured the eclectic atmosphere with relaxed purpose.
 | | Strawberry Fair: Copyright Mike Thornton |
For new music fans, the Future Stage, conveniently positioned next to the much needed information tent, provided amusement and excitement beyond all other arenas. Bands celebrated here may not be as polished as other stages, but fresh energy and reckless abandon create the sensation that here potential abounds. Redhead twins and a drummer who loves his cymbals more than the Gallagher brothers like a provocative statement make up Princess Drive. Masses of crashes, pounding tunes and big bass lines carried them through their set which followed the slick sound of Electric Revolution who stood out as a younger and less corrupt Razorlight. The stars of this stage were undoubtedly 9 Fold Punch whose early evening set masterly worked their growing following up into a frenzy of hype and adulation. By far the stage that tried the hardest to get into the swing of the day was the Acoustic Tent, with carefully crafted cardboard strawberries swirling around performers and the vital beer bar situated at the rear of the marquee. The best of CB2's The Living Room were nestled in this atmosphere, with the familiar home comforts of the Cambridge venue found slung over the ground. Carpets and rugs allowed the crowd to take in the stunningly ethereal voice and talented songwriting of Emma York early in the afternoon. Without her cohort Galactica, Emma's voice was still outstanding and her act an ever enjoyable repertoire.
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A massive crowd had gathered mid-afternoon for Sunday Driver, who beautifully surmised the essence of an acoustic performance, bringing together the innocence of English folk and shimmering vibrancy of Eastern influences. Yet all of this talent was furthered by the utter highlight of the day when one of John Peel's championed bands, Magoo, bestowed their supremely different class of act to the fair. The beauty of this much talked-about group is that their music doesn't alienate, but accepts, includes and inspires – potentially the point of the fair itself. A mixture of hand-clapping quirkiness and pixie-like harpsichord and piccolo was propelled to an esteemed speciality in their set by the refusal to stick to a formula. What sounds good and feels good stays. The result is true elegance and a philosophy that uplifted the souls of tired listeners. The strange mixture of weather, from clouds to blue skies, cheering sunshine to powerful downpours, seemed fitting for the fair’s swirl of alternative life. With the focal point being the massive range of outstanding music available from Cambridgeshire bands, inclusion and inspiration appear to be inherent. Even the weather had realised that a varied mixture equals serenely exciting celebration! | 
