Cambridge Folk Festival - First names for 2016 announced

Cambridge Folk festival, give details for this years event

An eclectic range of performances will include: iconic Irish folk singer Christy Moore in an exclusive English festival appearance, performing with Declan Sinnott and Jim Higgins; high energy Gypsy Folk / Punk band Gogol Bordello, acclaimed for their live shows. Rockabilly Singer / Songwriter Imelda May, a powerful live performer with “a whipcracker of a voice”; Academy Award winning star of the film 'Once', Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard in an exclusive English festival appearance. 

Gogol Bordello (Pictured Above)

American Singer / Songwriter and multi Grammy award winner Mary Chapin Carpenter; global beat pioneers Afro Celt Sound System who are celebrating their 20th anniversary with a new album; the 'Screaming eagle of Soul' Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires; the ever popular Barnsley nightingale Kate Rusby, Eliza Carthy and the Wayward Band, featuring the English Folk figurehead nominated for Folk "Singer of the Year" in the BBC Radio 2 Folk awards and her all-star band.

Eliza Carthy and the Wayward Band​ (Pictured Above)

A standout performer of his generation, the Bellowhead lead singer and main arranger, Jon Boden, in one of his first solo appearances since their final gig in May, Songs of Separation, a special collaboration between ten leading Scottish and English female Folk musicians on the issue of ‘separation’ including Eliza Carthy and Karine Polwart; song collector and nominee for Folk "Singer of the Year" in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Sam Lee and Friends; leading Folk multi-instrumentalists the Michael McGoldrick Band, featuring the trailblazing player and composer; prolific and multi award winning Scottish fiddle band Blazin’ Fiddles; one of the World’s most exciting Celtic bands, Solas; Edward II, who uniquely blend the rhythms of the Caribbean with traditional songs from the British Isles.

Afro Celt Sound System (Pictured Above)

Dynamic Quebecois Folk band Le Vent du Nord; acclaimed Scottish fiddle player and composer Duncan Chisholm; relentlessly energetic groovers Kíla, who interject Gaelic Rap and World influences into Traditional Folk, multi-award winning Scottish firebrands Breabach who have just released their fifth album entitled 'Astar'; New Orleans Jazz, Hip-Hop, Funk sensations Hot 8 Brass Band; one of the best US Blues bands. Cash Box Kings, playing their old time Chicago Blues in an exclusive UK performance; the beloved musical project of Kate Staples, Alternative Folk band This is the Kit.

Imelda May (Pictured Above)

Championed by 6Music; fRoots magazine "Album of the Year" 2015 winners Stick in the Wheel, nominated for "Best Group" in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards up and coming North East duo and Radio 1 favourites Seafret; the Mike + Ruthy Band, who produced one of the standout Americana albums of 2015. One of Time Out's rising stars of 2015, rambling Folk singer Will Varley, who previously toured with Frank Turner.

Will Varley (Pictured Above)

The refreshingly witty Irish Singer / Songwriter Lisa O’Neill; multi instrumentalist Brian McNeill, leading the festival session; barnstorming live performers and nominee for the Horizon award in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Sam Kelly and the Lost Boys; five piece Ímar, which features some of today’s most exciting young traditional musicians including current and former members of Mànran, RURA, Talisk and Barrule; 

Jon Boden 

Glorystrokes possibly the World’s only traditional English Metalcore Ceilidh band; a fun packed family Ceilidh with the ever popular Steamchicken; The Dovetail Trio, with their bold new approach to traditional songs, featuring Rosie Hood, nominated for a Horizon award in the BBC Radio 2 Folk awards; Flats and Sharps, blurring the lines between Bluegrass, Folk and Country, an exciting sing-along experience for children from Funbox, formerly The Singing Kettle a Silent Ceilidh with caller Cate Bannister; and children’s entertainers The BarrowBand celebrating healthy eating through song.

More major names to be announced.

Check Out! the Video for 'Start wearing Purple' Below...