 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Festival Survival Guide
What to watch for this year at Cambridge - the A - Z of the Cambridge Folk Festival.
A - E | F - N | M - Z |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
A is for Alcohol
As befits a festival partly sponsored by a brewery, it's everywhere. However, Cambridge, despite the remarkable amounts of imbibing going on, is one of the best behaved festivals you're ever likely to attend. Enjoy the beer, but don't blame us when you wake up in your tent the next morning feeling as if Michael Flatley is step dancing on your skull. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
B is for Beards
Occasionally garnished with a light fringe of foam or stray noodles, beards are sometimes sported like battle scars by proud folkie veterans. However, last year's appearance by hirsute heroes The Dubliners may have shamed some beardies into shaving - you just can't compete.
|
|
C is for Chairs
Not since Dylan went electric has the folk community been so divided - folding chairs are discouraged by the festival in front of the stages, but still they come, much to the annoyance of people attempting to rush to the front of the stage for some dancing action. |
|
|
D is for Dancing
Positively encouraged, although don't practice the finer points of your cherished Morris routine after 10 pints of Bombardier. And don't strip the willow unless truly provoked. |
|
|
E is for Ethnic Crafts
Go on, you know you want those Tibetan Yak hair trousers and hemp woven hat. You'll look great, honest! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
F is for Face Painting
Transform your children into elves, pixies or Mel Gibson, then forget what they look like and spend the rest of the festival searching for them. And why confine it to children? Let's have more adults in greasepaint this year!
|
|
G is for Guitars
Just like Michael Caine's Zulus, there's thousands of 'em. From battered old relics strapped to the back of ageing hippies to pristine hand built affairs worth thousands of pounds but mysteriously held by 20 year old young folkies oddly singing about poor mining lads in 1840s Durham, they're all here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
H is for Hats
Where would UK festivals be without the simple pleasures the massive day-glo jester's hat (with bells)? Nowhere, that's where. See also: Big pint of Guiness, pointy wizard variety and variations on Kiss Me - I'm Mike Harding! Baseball caps
|
|
I is for Instrument Stall
Forgot those mandolin strings for the campsite session? Or, flushed with inspiration by John McCusker, feel the urge to take up the cittern? Look no further than the music stall, where all variety of instruments can be plucked, strummed and bashed with merry abandon. As long as you pay for the damages, of course, and avoid Stairway to Heaven. |
|
|
J is for Jugglers
Gasp at their skill with the Diablo! Marvel at their bollard tossing prowess! Guffaw at their garish trousers! Go and watch a band instead! |
|
|
L is for Loos
Cambridge, thanks to the involvement of the local council, has the finest loos of any festival, free of the disconcerting stray jobbies which plague other events. If you're camping, though, be sure to bring your own paper, unless you have a picture of Kim Howells' face handy. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
M is for Mud
Remember - this is Britain, so be prepared. Don't wear your white trainers and keep welly boots handy. If it stays dry, fill them with beer. And if it does get muddy, don't dance naked in it. Not at your age.
|
|
N is for Novices
First time at Cambridge? Latch onto a veteran and listen endlessly to how it was much better last year/the year before/in 1974 until you feel compelled to bury them under a mountain of uneaten noodles. |
|
|
O is for Old T-Shirts
Richard Thompson at Leicester DeMontfort Hall, 1984? Runrig at Kyle of Lochalsh Community Centre in 1978? Hawkwind, anywhere, from 1973 onwards? Spot your favourite! |
|
|
P is for Purists
All these synthesisers are very nice, but is it folk? Wrong word in the fifth verse of Willy O'Winsbury? Kate Rusby too pop? Not enough Morris tunes? Oh, give us peace, we're trying to enjoy the festival… |
|
|
Q is for Queues
Fine places to start a sing song as you wait for the bus to ferry you back to Coldham's Common. See also loos. |
|
|
R is for Real Ale
Of course. |
|
|
S is for Sunburn
Nothing is worse than a white body which looks like it's been laid on a barbecue for three days. While red necks may be okay for watching Roseanne Cash, they aren't much fun on the bus home. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
T is for Tents
All shapes and sizes, from the humblest 20 quid Eurohike special to gazebo equipped splendour, complete with barbecue, picnic tables, cool boxes and swimming pools. Well, maybe not swimming pools. Unless it rains.
|
|
U is for Uproar
Stick around until last thing on Sunday and join the crazy fun for the last band, inevitably bringing the festival to a close on a high note. |
|
|
V is for Veggies
Usually the recipients of a rough deal at big events, veggies are spoilt for choice at Cambridge, with a bewildering array of stalls. Even rampant meat eaters have been spotted sneaking in a sly falafel. |
|
|
W is for Website
Visit the Cambridge cyber-tent throughout the weekend for constant updates on the festival at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2 |
|
|
X is for...
Oh, give us a break. |
|
|
Z is for Zydeco
It may be a cop out for z, but no matter where you go, there is always bound to be someone with a squeezebox nearby and a liking for a bit of deep south dance music. Just ask Mr Harding if you see him.
|
|
|
|
|
Today's weather for Cambridge |
Saturday
Max 0 °C
Min -4 °C
|
|
|
|
VOTE |
|
|
Who did you enjoy the most this year?
|
|
|
Cambridge Home
