Saturday

Next up is Stornoway, a band originally from Oxford, but now a bit more geographically spread. Their most recent album "Bonxie" a colloquial term for the great skua hinted that the band had developed a harder edge to their sound and whilst their transition might not have been as dramatic as that that underwent Laura Marling between Cambridge appearances, it was a band with more attitude that stepped onto Stage Two this time.

Whilst I say more attitude, that's not been at the sense of poetry in the lyrics or questions being raised about the bigger things in life, such as humanities place in the world. The songs are delivered with an energy that removes the thoughts of flagging in the warm summer evening for a set that's highly enjoyable.

There's a great Japanese term that I'm a big fan of, 'Ningen Kokuho', which means Living National Treasure, I don't know if there's a phrase for Living International Treasure, but if there was, it would definitely apply to the next artist, Joan Baez, making a very welcome return to the Cambridge Stage.

Unlike some of the artists of her generation still performing, Joan Baez still has a remarkable singing voice, one that doesn't seem to have been diminished by the years, nor her thirst for singing and performing, constantly finding new avenues for her songs to explore whilst still remembering the great ones, regardless of who penned them, including another version of "Freight Train" which has seemed to become an anthem for the festival.

Joan the epitome of the protest singer, but also so much more, whilst anger is a useful tool, so is empathy and consideration and she is able to deliver so much because her voice can carry both thought and emotion so well, she is still an artist that genuinely moves. People pay attention, she commands a stage, people are quiet when they need to be, loud when required, but most importantly, Joan Baez still entertains.

Time for the last big decision of the night, Threepenny Bit, Treacherous Orchestra or Show Of Hands? I surprise myself by going for the latter, but it was a very close call with Threepenny Bit, who I definitely need to check out soon.

There is something about Show Of Hands that has always been part of the Fatea psyche, even when we were a predominantly punk/new wave magazine, I remember seeing the duo perform in Bridport before eventually recording their debut album just up the road. As most of you know my passion in songwriting, regardless of genre is narrative, I like the tales, I like the stories and I like the people and politics in songs and that's something Show Of Hands has always delivered.

They also have a great and ever expanding canon of work, one so rich that you know that the wheel will never metaphorically fall of the wagon, even if the physical reality is something different. Similarly you may not be sure what songs they are going to draw on, how the mood might take them, except to know it will be solid and worth watching.

The Trio appear to be in a good mood, the jinx has appeared to have stopped stalking the band for the day, perhaps taking some time off for a really good listen. The atmosphere is chilled, like a damned fine cider, and it's a great set, that not only rounds off the day, but also reminds you as to why this is band that has sold out the Royal Albert Hall on multiple occasions, they always seem to have the right set for the right occasion and never at the expense of the narratives that I have come to love.

With the conclusion of the final set, it's time for me to catch up with friends who saw the time out with different bands and with no album launch to rush back and kick off, slip into a well deserved catch up and a pint or two.

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