Cambridge Folk Festival 2016
Cambridge Folk Fest is over for another year (public posted photo's | setlists). This year wasn't overly hot but it had its moments and some rain showers on the Thursday and Friday. For me this year the line-up was weak, a lull year with the highlight of Christy Moore. He did not disappoint, indeed he exceeded expectations and I loved singing along with his easy well known songs. I especially enjoyed his simple and effective arrangement of Shine on you Crazy Diamond, I was near the sound desk in Main stage for most of the set and sound was excellent - not overly loud like it seemed to be most other places (like down the side of Stage 2). I didn't find anyone new outstanding, in fact it all seems to have drifted over me.
My feet were the limiting factor. The pain was too much on Saturday after going in early for Le Vent du Nord first up on Main Stage. I was right down the front letching like mad :) There has to be perks like this :) I had to sit down after only 4 songs on my feet and I left site and lay down for most of the rest of the day back at the ranch. I suspect I can only do Day Tickets from now on if my feet remain so sore like this. I caught PBH in the Den on Friday night when the rain came down loudly. And again doing his main stage 4 on Saturday night after everything else had finished. I spent more time with the FATEA team this year (also via Flickr etc) and appreciated being given a T-shirt on the final evening as it turned cooler. Gavin, one of the Scottish guys also gave me his CD, again much appreciated. All in all a very exhausting 4 days for me and my blumin feet! The new tripod stool was a huge help.
The FATEA music magazine team catch up at end of fest
Good to see Richard back sans circus and in better health. Beery seemed to have found a colourful skinny girl so we knew to leave him alone ;) The Norfolk posse were much as usual and all seemed in good health. Met new ppl on Thursday - local Tony, and Paul who I'd recognised and said hello to a few months ago at the NPL open day :) Overall it didn't feel so crowded, so maybe, just maybe, they had listened and reduced capacity from 18,000 to 14,000. However, I wasn't around for much of Saturday and only went on site around 3.30pm on Sunday (which is usually busy time).
Thank you friends, Christy and the sexy Le Vent du Nord for saving an otherwise lacklustre CFF 2016.