Memories 2
I've
been coming every year to this festival since I was 3. My cousin came to the
first one, in her mother's womb! This is how I never forget how old she is. We
used to bed down in my Nan's caravan in her front garden in Cherry Close. You
could hear the festival from there long into the night.
I've seen almost ever legend there ever was play at Cambridge.
Alex Campbell, Johny Silvo, Ry Cooder, Dave Grisman, Roy Harper when he came
with Jimmy Page, Christy Moore. It pays to be able to recognise the artists by
sight. Often the best opportunities are the unique moments when they arrive
unanounced. I'll never forget jamming with Michelle Shocked out in the campsite
at night. That pulled a bigger crowd than mainstage two, and is the very reason
why Cherry Hinton camping is a must. Or when Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee
turned up unannounced and the whole schedule was rearranged. Recently Joan Baez put in an
appearance. I was wandering out of the club tent and she walked right past me,
no body-guards nothing, so I turned around. Turns out she's best mates with
someone from the local club and had agreed to do a floor spot! Up-closeand
personal that's Cambridge.
The small size is it's best asset, but
it makes security an issue. There's always a shortage of tickets. Gone are the
days when they were just a clay plaque you hung around your neck! But I think
you could be a bit more traditional with your posters. I particularly like the
one from the 12th festival, of the little old lady with her Martin. Nan still
has it framed.
Artists use this closeness to get personal with their audience.
You really feel you've learned something about them. Michelle Shocked appeared
two years running. By the 2nd year she was an international star and the tent
was packed to standing room only. She stopped for 30 minutes in the middle of
her set to "talk" to us about her new-found stardom and the principals Finally we can now get her music again
from her own website. Hurrah for the internet. Cambridge has welcomed this by
setting up its cybercafe. Thank you for bringing legends to the UK, who I never
dreamed of meeting. Odetta must have been in her 70s when she stopped mid-set to
warn the young people about the dangers of un-safe sex! Generally the audiences
love this banter and it's extended by the "workshops" run by artists. Truely it
is a festival for the artists as much as the audience. A few years back, I was
leafing through the program and I came across The Levellers, and I said "Jonty
Sevink I remember him!" he lived up the road from me in Harlow. He gave me my
first bike! Wow.
Keep it personal Cambridge. Keep it
small. Never ever change the venue. Carry on seeking out the best and the new as
well as the traditional and keep bringing them to the UK. The fame of this
festival is unrivalled perhaps even by Newport or Listdoonvarna. We love it.
It's ours. Here's to another 40 years!
Jon Chan
We were walking home and we passed them at
the main gate, we just turned right around and stayed til midnight.
behind her music that she
vowed she would never change. She was good to her word and within another 2
years the music industry dumped her.