Ahead of this years Cambridge Folk festival, Festivalphoto spoke to the festival organiser Eddie Barcan to ask him a few questions about the festival and what people thinking of going can expect:
Festivalphoto: First of all can you introduce yourself to the readers and explain your role in the festival?
Eddie: My name is Eddie Barcan, I programme and manage the Festival.
Festivalphoto: How long has Cambridge been hosting its annual folk festival?
Eddie: 48 years young this year!
Festivalphoto: Can you tell us a little bit about what people can expect when visiting the festival for the first time?
Eddie: That festival’s don’t have to be hard work and some brilliant music. It’s not too big but there’s more than enough to stop you getting bored. Good facilities. Very friendly people. That that music which takes place off stage is as important as the music which takes place on stage.
Festivalphoto: How many stages are there ?
Eddie: 4 in total, including opportunities for customers to appear.
Festivalphoto: Roughly how many people attend the festival?
Eddie: 14,000 in total, with around 10,000 on site each year.
Festivalphoto: Is camping on-site or is it located away from the main fsetival area? If its remote roughly how far away is it?
Eddie: We have two campsite, one immediately next to the arena and another a couple of miles away, though we do provided regular free buses between the two.
Festivalphoto: As well as the music, what else is at the festival?
Eddie: Loads! Music workshops & sessions, street theatre, craft workshops, free creche, paddling pool, playground, free internet cafe, ceilidhs, poetry, storytelling, free facepainting, screens in the bar to watch the Olympic opening ceremony and much more.
Festivalphoto: How far ahead of the event do you start booking bands ?
Eddie: Around December.
Festivalphoto: You’ve got a very diverse lineup – how difficult is it to find a lineup that appeals to as many people as possible?
Eddie: Our line-up is always diverse and that’s part of the challenge. It changes subtly from year to year.
Festivalphoto: With the festival having such a diverse lineup is it difficult sometimes to decide if a band is a suitable fit for the lineup?
Eddie: It’s not so hard deciding whether they might fit, but it is hard whittling down all those that fit into the relatively small number of slots we have available!
Festivalphoto: Are there any acts at this years festival that you’re particularly looking forward to seeing?
Eddie: For me it’s me it’s always the new up and coming acts that are the most excitng. This year they include The Staves, King Charles and Anais Mitchell. Also the unique bookings like The Unthanks with Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band. You know that the big names such as Clannad, Joan Armatrading and The Proclaimers are going to deliver the goods.
Festivalphoto: With an ever increasing focus on green issues, how do you minimise the environmental impact of the festival?
Eddie: We’ve received A Greener Festival Awards for the last 4 years and were commended last year. It’s not just about recycling, we consider the environment at every level.
Festivalphoto: How easy is it to get to the festival using public transport?
Eddie: Simple! Train or bus to Cambridge, then hop on the free buses we provide. They run really frequently.
Festivalphoto: Is there anything you’d like to say to people considering attending this years event?
Eddie: Be tempted by the names you know and take the plunge. There’s a world of music to discover and the atmospshere and facilities are great. It’s family friendly and there’s loads going on.
For more information about the festival, including details of the bands playing, facilities and more, you can visit their website – http://www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk/
