The 2023 edition of the Cambridge Folk Festival features a typically eclectic range of artists. If you’ve a pre-conceived idea of what constitutes “folk”, then Cambridge in late July will surely open your eyes and ears to a wide range of sounds from all parts of the globe. From stalwarts of the festival such as Kate Rusby and Eliza Carthy to progressive rap collective Arrested Development. Not convinced? How about Hollywood actor turned highly impressive singer/songwriter Kiefer Sutherland or the more home-spun silver screen success of Fisherman’s Friends. More info about the festival and the artists follows, including ticketing details:
Updated 16th March 2023: New additions include the legendary Judy Collins and a couple of RGM favourites in Ferris & Sylvester and Julian Taylor.
Judy Collins And the Unity String Quartet celebrating ‘Wildflowers’
Akram Abdulfattah - Baskery - Clare Sands - Ferris & Sylvester
Flyte - Gentleman’s Dub Club - Gnoss - Hollie Cook
Julian Taylor - Maya Delilah - St. Lundi
The Proclaimers - Rufus Wainwright - Imelda May Arrested Development - Angélique Kidjo - Kiefer Sutherland - Lady Blackbird Kate Rusby - Fisherman’s Friends - The Sharon Shannon Trio - Stornoway Ibibio Sound Machine - Elephant Sessions - Eliza Carthy & The Restitution James Yorkston & Nina Persson - Niteworks - Breabach - Oi Va Voi
Grace Petrie - Daoirí Farrell Trio - The Longest Johns - Siobhan Miller Band William Prince - The Ayoub Sisters - Blue Rose Code
Catrin Finch and Cimarrón - The Chair - Le Vent du Nord - Symbio
Angeline Morrison - Jinda Biant
Cambridge Folk Festival is delighted to announce the first names in a broad and diverse programme for 2023. Taking place from July 27-30 in the beautiful grounds of Cherry Hinton Hall, tickets are now on sale at: https://www.cambridgelive.org.uk/folk-festival/tickets
Leading the way are Scotland’s finest The Proclaimers, whose blistering live performances and catalogue of hits from “(I’m Gonna Be) 500 Miles” to “I’m On My Way” and “Sunshine On Leith”, make them the perfect Festival band, guaranteed to bring the audience to its feet.
During a career spanning more than six decades and 55 albums, Judy Collins has graced stages worldwide, released definitive interpretations of folk standards, and enjoyed global hits with Stephen Sondheim’s “Send in The Clowns” and Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now”. She has influenced fellow artists across the generations including Joan Baez, Dolly Parton and Rufus Wainwright, who have all recorded versions of her songs, and brought Leonard Cohen's music to a wider audience. Her many awards include a Lifetime Achievement Award from the UK Americana Association earlier this year.
The talented Wainwright family has a long history with Cambridge Folk Festival and this year Rufus Wainwright headlines. Praised by the New York Times for his “genuine originality,” Rufus has established himself as one of the great male vocalists, songwriters, and composers of his generation.
One of Ireland’s most celebrated female artists, Imelda May continues to defy genres with a sound widely spanning blues, rock, soul, gospel and jazz and possesses a crystalline voice which will light up the grounds of Cherry Hinton Hall.
Formed in Atlanta in 1988, progressive rap collective Arrested Development have proved true trailblazers playing a fusion of soul, blues, hip-hop and funk with political, socially conscious lyrics. This year, the multiple award winners bring their eclectic and vibrant African sounds to Cambridge for the first time.
Four-time Grammy award winner Angélique Kidjo has cross-pollinated the West African traditions of her childhood in Benin with elements of American R&B, funk and jazz as well as influences from Europe and Latin America into a stunning multicultural stage show set to wow the Festival audience.
Leading US actor Kiefer Sutherland, perhaps best-known for hit TV series ‘24’, is also a well-respected musician with three critically-acclaimed albums to his name and an enviable stage presence. This summer he will make his much-anticipated debut at Cambridge.
Another Festival first from “A captivating star in the making” (The Times), Los Angeles-based vocalist and composer Lady Blackbird, whose debut album garnered rave reviews from the world’s music press, and who mixes original songs with updates of classic jazz ballads and deep soul cuts.
“Queen of Folk” Kate Rusby marked 30 years in music last year with new guest-laden album 30:Happy Returns. What better way to continue the celebrations than sharing songs old and new with the Cambridge crowd.
Cornwall’s Fisherman’s Friends bring back their rousing sea shanties to the Festival to play the prestigious Folk Legends slot, first introduced last year. This comes hot on the heels of the Fisherman’s Friends 2 film, the second instalment of their incredible story on celluloid.
Further treats are in store from: The Sharon Shannon Trio. Ever-popular accordionist Shannon will be accompanied by long-time sideman Jim Murray and Jack Maher (acoustic guitar and vocals).
Stornoway, playing windswept pop music gathering trace elements of rock, soul, folk, electronica, African rhythms and the avant-garde.
Long lauded for their jubilant, explosive live shows, London octet Ibibio Sound Machine combining the English and Nigerian tongues to produce a language entirely of their own.
Scottish indie folk sensations Elephant Sessions, whose appearances at festivals across the world have been met with crowd surfing and marquee floors breaking under the weight of bouncing fans!
One of the leading lights of the English folk scene for over 30 years, Eliza Carthy & The Restitution playing ‘greatest hits’ and audience favourites from last year’s Queen Of The Whirl album.
James Yorkston & Nina Persson, the dream combination of literate Scottish folk-pop singer songwriter Yorkston and Swedish vocalist Persson (formerly of 90s indie pop band The Cardigans).
The Isle of Skye’s Niteworks, blurring the lines between Scottish traditional, folk and Gaelic music and contemporary electronica to create a unique and exhilarating sound.
One of Scotland’s most exciting and successful folk groups Breabach uniting deep roots in Highland and Island tradition with the innovative musical ferment of their Glasgow base.
London’s Oi Va Voi, mixing subtle, dynamic rhythms and western melodic sensibility with the folk music of their Jewish and East European heritage.
Protest singer, LGBTQ+ activist, comedy audience favourite and folk star Grace Petrie who is renowned for her polemical folk anthems, acerbic lyrics and open-hearted performance style.
Daoirí Farrell Trio, led by double BBC Folk Awards winner, Irish traditional singer and bouzouki player Farrell joined by uilleann piper Mark Redmond and bodhran player Robbie Walsh.
Bristol’s The Longest Johns singing shanties and folk songs with captivating harmonies in an exuberant live show.
Siobhan Miller Band featuring celebrated Scottish folk singer Miller, whose renewal of traditional song won BBC Alba Scots Trad Music Awards’ Scots Singer of the Year an unprecedented four times.
William Prince, a Canadian singer songwriter from Peguis First Nation in Manitoba, widely acclaimed for his rich baritone voice and songcraft which is a masterclass in skillful simplicity.
Scottish/Egyptian instrumentalists and composers The Ayoub Sisters who rose to stardom when their debut album topped the Official Classical Charts.
One of Scotland’s most magnetic live bands Blue Rose Code seamlessly blending folk, Americana, jazz, soul and pop influences into something truly unique.
Catrin Finch and Cimarrón, combining Welsh harp virtuoso Finch and Colombian joropo dance band Cimarrón.
Orcadian eight-piece The Chair who play a turbo-charged mash-up of folk, blues, rock, dub, klezmer and more.
Celebrating their 20th anniversary, premier Quebecios folk band Le Vent du Nord, performing both traditional and original compositions.
Swedish duo Symbio, whose magical interplay of hurdy gurdy and accordion has been described as musical storytelling where virtuoso folk, electronic dance music and minimalistic art music meets.
Angeline Morrison, who since winning the Christian Raphael Prize at last year’s Festival, has gone on to scoop The Guardian’s Folk Album of the Year with her powerful The Sorrow Songs: Folk Songs of Black British Experience.
Jinda Biant, a UK based singer songwriter and slide guitarist with an original take on blues intertwined with Indian influences.
Adding to 2023’s rich and diverse programme are: young Palestinian-American violin master who combines jazz with middle eastern and Indian music, Akram Abdulfattah.
Trio of Swedish sisters, Baskery, rooted in traditional Americana but with a startling ability to turn the music on its head, fusing the directness of punk with the subtlety of singer-songwriting.
Channeling the music of her Irish ancestors, 6th generation fiddler & bilingual singer Clare Sands weaves traditional roots with contemporary sounds to produce electrifying live performances.
Songwriting duo Ferris & Sylvester, whose distinct combination of Americana, Blues and Rock’n’Roll has been called “Alt. Simon & Garfunkel” by The Guardian.
London-based Flyte comprising Will Taylor (vocals, guitar) and Nick Hill (bass, vocals) whose literary, confessional songs have drawn acclaim from critics and fans alike.
One of the most respected names in dub music Gentleman’s Dub Club, consistently selling out shows across the UK and Europe since their formation in 2006.
Scottish quartet Gnoss, renowned for their forward-thinking take on traditional music, centred on a rich tapestry of acoustic layers and uniquely warm live shows.
British singer-songwriter and keyboardist Hollie Cook, with a lush, harmony, reggae sound which has seen her called “the queen of modern-day lovers rock”.
Toronto-based singer-songwriter Julian Taylor, a musical chameleon who has thrilled audiences for over 25 years with a blend of folk, rhythm and blues, soulful Americana and country.
Soul-pop singer-songwriter Maya Delilah, a BRIT school graduate who learned to play guitar from an early age and is passionate about inspiring young girls to follow in her path.
From Hayling Island, St. Lundi’s songs about love, family and life experiences quickly struck a chord with fans and prompted Record of the Day to compare his music to Coldplay and Ben Howard.
Alongside the world-class music, there is so much more to enjoy over the Festival weekend, including dedicated children’s activities; workshops on instrument making and song writing; a silent disco, storytelling, clog dancing, tai-chi, and an incredible selection of mouth-watering food trucks and bars from some of Cambridge's finest food merchants. The Festival is also proud to have been deemed “Outstanding” at the Greener Festival Awards.
Ticket information:
Full festival ticket: £205, Thursday: £31, Friday: £83, Saturday: £83, Sunday: £83
Prices include booking fees. Please see website for concessions, camping and parking information.
Purchase from: https://www.cambridgelive.org.uk/folk-festival/tickets