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"Cambridge Folk Festival - one of the premier music events in Europe and one of the longest running and most famous folk festivals in the world.", Cambridge held its 45th Festival this year and Folk and Roots were there, read the report below

Friday

A delayed start meant that I didn't arrive at the festival until the second day- Friday, but for a change it wasn't raining which meant pitching the tent at the quieter Coldham's Common before rushing off to catch the bus to Cherry Hinton, the home to both the festival and second camp site.

Just in time to see the Waterson family. All nine of them - Norma, her brother Mike, husband Martin Carthy, daughter Eliza and several other family members. Lots of acapella harmony stuff, and amusing stories. 'Old Salty'- written by Lal Waterson was an upbeat raucous sea shanty, reminiscent of Eliza's 'Breathing Underwater' album.

From Stage 1 there was time for tea, while listening to Susan Tedeschi - a bluesy singer songwriter from America; listening being the operative word as sadly there are no large video screens at Cambridge - a real disadvantage as seeing the artists is impossible unless you're in the first twenty rows.

Hayes Carll was a bit of a find in Stage 2, a dishevelled, shaggy, understated kind of guy, with a wry sense of humour and a lovely delivery style - everything form poultry folk rock to country!
Definitely going to try and catch him tomorrow.

Off to squeeze into the Club tent next, to see Bryony Lemon and friends. Bryony is a young Cambridge accordionist; a smiling charming girl who had the confidence to get the audience to stand up and move forward, instantly creating more of an atmosphere. She was joined by friend Alex on fiddle and sister Grace on pipes, and played Irish jigs and reels to great applause. Her Arts Council funded debut album was produced by Lau's Martin Green and features folk luminaries like Éamonn Coyne and Michael McGoldrick; definitely one to watch!

Buffy Sainte-Marie was on in Stage 1 next, Unbelievable to think she's 68, Buffy sings with passion and a heartfelt rawness in her voice, reflecting her roots; from her birth on an Indian reservation in Saskatchewan, to her time in New York's Greenwich Village alongside peers like Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen. Amazing to think of the stories she can tell - and I never knew she wrote 'Up where we belong'!

I stayed put, stepping over far too many picnic blankets, bags, and sleeping children, to get closer to the front for Bellowhead. Not my favourite band but they certainly know how to put on a good show. From the magnificent 'Whiskey-o' opener, with Jon Boden in his best mad professor style, to classy brassy tunes like 'Flight of the Folk Mutants', this band are all showmen. Less musical theatre and more theatrical music. Still trying to work out how kazoos, a clarinet and euphonium all get to work so well in an English folk band!

Squeezed out of Stage 1 and headed towards Stage 2 for Rupa and the April Fishes. I'd hoped this band might be like 6 Day Riot; but Rupa, while having a deep sultry voice, lacks the charisma of Tamara, 6 Day Riot's lead singer. Playing a mix of gypsy folk/punk, laced with a hint of salsa, Rupa and her band have been compared to the likes of Gogol Bordello, and had the audience breaking out into spontaneous outbursts of dancing.

Last up were The Demon Barbers, and this band were so good I didn't leave to catch the Zutons, back on stage 1. A riotous mix of English folk and clog dancers, an electric bass that sounded almost ska like, and a guest beat boxer, it's no wonder this band won 'Best Live Act' at the Folk Awards this year- just a shame they're only playing this festival once.

So that ended Friday - an eclectic mix of bands - and left me heading back to my tent on the singing night bus, reflecting on what I'd seen.

See Saturdays report, Sunday's report...