Sound Roots at Cambridge Folk Festival
We are thrilled to continue our annual presence at Cambridge Folk Festival, this year with 4 artists hailing from, or resident in, Manchester.
Supported by funding from Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) Brown Wimpenny, Harp & a Monkey, Kirsty Almeida and Robbie Cavanagh will take to the stage (Stage 3) on Friday 26th July.
About the artists:
Brown Wimpenny are the young singers of the old songs and the new dancers of the old jigs. Described by The Quietus as a source of “energy, eccentricity, communion and joy” – they weave traditional music, from the British Isles and beyond, into a web of drones, choral harmonies, and dense textures. With four sell-out headline shows under their belts, alongside appearances at Factory International and the Broadside Hacks Folk Club in London, the eleven-piece band are now poised to carve their slice of the scene from which to expand this folk experiment. “We have performed at numerous events (many of which have been self-produced) therefore an opportunity of exposure to such a broad, folk music-loving audience would be the perfect next step for us. Most of our audience so far have been young people from the alternative music scene, so it would be valuable to reach people who could give us feedback from a specifically traditional folk perspective, the aspect of our music that we care most deeply about. Furthermore, an opportunity to be able to perform somewhere like Cambridge, that is so different to our own stomping ground, would help us to explore the pertinent folk themes of geography and community, thus proving the vitality that traditional folk music still has.
Award-winning song and storytelling trio Harp & a Monkey specialise in poignant, uplifting and melodic short stories (original and traditional) about everyday life, love and remembrance – the extraordinary ordinary. The Greater Manchester outfit’s work has been described as “bold and brilliant” by the likes of The Observer, “fantastic” and “fascinating” by Mark Radcliffe on BBC Radio 2, “inventive” by Mojo, “excellent” by The Guardian, and “unique” by folk legend Mike Harding. With four acclaimed albums under their belts, the multi-instrumentalists are regulars on the national concert circuit and guarantee poignancy, humour and great audience rapport.
Experience the hypnotic allure of Kirsty Almeida’s music, praised for its unquestionable beauty and emotional depth by critics and listeners alike. Kirsty Almeida, a remarkable artist from Gibraltar, now living in Rochdale, UK, described by guitarist Magazine as a ‘leftfield genre-crossing maverick’ has a past that includes being signed to Major label Decca, performing and touring with the ‘Nick Drake Way To Blue’ project, performing with the Guy Chambers Orchestra and collaborating with Mister Scruff on the hit ‘Pickled Spider’. Kirsty’s impressive repertoire has been featured in over 50 films and TV shows including motion pictures ‘Patagonia’ and ‘Albatross’. Kirsty’s storytelling lyrics, soulful hypnotic voice and mesmerising sound is always a special moment of musical magic.
Americana UK award winner Robbie Cavanagh released his 3rd record “Tough Love” in May 2023 and has since been building momentum performing at “Your Roots are Showing” in Ireland, Celtic Connections in Scotland, and Folk Alliance International in Kansas City, as well as a full band headline tour and a support tour for American roots artist The Wood Brothers, through UK and EU.
