Thursday

Following them on was last of the genuine hobos, Seasick Steve. Steve made his way through the audience chatting to random audience members and swigging from a bottle of JD.
A quick clamber over the barrier and a climb onto the stage and he was ready to go. The audience howling his name. His guitars look like they've had as much of a story to tell as he does. He tells a story about how a guy called Sherman shafted him over the purchase of his red three string. He gets more out of it than some guitarists do with twelve.
He really is a phenomenon. He's ridden the freight trains and slept in dumpsters and is a genuine raconteur. He's joined by a washboard player and it really is something extraordinary. They've lived so much in their lifetimes.
They are here to play music and music they play. Seasick has been playing festivals this year like they've been going out of fashion. If he were Japanese he would be declared a living legend.
Kris Drever has the dubious pleasure of following Seasick Steve onto stage. Kris is a singer songwriter of the old school and it's a reminder that the festival isn't just about drive it's also about chill.
Kris Drever is in for a busy weekend, playing solo as well as part of Lau. It's a traditional set that contrasts the two acts that went before him.
For a sit down guitarist Kris dominates the stage, he has that elusive thing known as presence. He closes his eyes when he sings as he absorbs himself in his music and playing.
The sun, now out, has started setting and there's a mellowness that emanates from the stage and across the audience. It's the great thing about the Cambridge audience they reset themselves for whoever is on stage, taking the different styles into their stride. There are times when you think why the hell is x following y, but it all works. There is so much of a good thing because that good thing is different from the good thing that went before.
I'm aware that I've been neglecting the Club Tent, but I will make up for it over the next three days.
I'd really wanted to see Breabach, but I also wanted to see Alabama 3. It goes to the toss of the coin. It's definitely the Radio Two Stages night.

Continued