No Cambridge this year as storm clouds gather over folk festivals
January 17, 2025
Colin Randall writes:
Did I jinx the Cambridge Folk Festival when writing in The Times about it being one event that was weathering the storm threatening the futures of so many?
A strangely worded statement today talks of the festival's "return in summer 2026". I thought I must have had missed an earlier announcement of the cancellation of what would have been this year's 60th annual gathering, or at a pinch that they were already talking about plans for the next one.
But no. There will be no 2025 Cambridge.
My piece for The Times appeared just before the 2024 festival in July. I quote:
One event that seems to be weathering the storm is the Cambridge Folk Festival (July 25-28), arguably Britain’s biggest and a huge earner for the local economy. Cambridge is known for including acts that can barely be termed folk. The hip-hop group Arrested Development played last year to an enthusiastic reception. On this year’s bill are the Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant and his acoustic band Saving Grace.
“It’s a very broad church,” says the programme manager Lisa Schwartz, an American with long experience of directing the Philadelphia Folk Festival. “The only thing they want of the music is that it is good.” Still, Cambridge no longer sells out as soon as tickets become available.
The organisers, Cambridge City Council, can hardly be surprised if today's statement seems, shall we say, to beat about the bush.
It makes no mention of cancellation but reads: "Throughout 2025 the festival will continue to support the folk community with a series of locally based events throughout Cambridge, with other initiatives to support local emerging youth and folk artists.
".. the festival is a much-loved summer highlight for many local people which also attracts national and international audiences due to its reputation as one of the longest running and most prestigious folk festivals in the world. Alongside presenting global headliners including Robert Plant, Joan Baez, James Taylor, Van Morrison, Nick Cave, Lady Blackbird, Peggy Seeger and Suzanne Vega, the festival regularly acts as a launch pad for many emerging artists such as Frank Turner, Passenger, Jake Bugg and First Aid Kit."
The next paragraph is equally uncommunicative: “This decision marks an important step in the evolution of the festival. It has such a special legacy and we are committed to seeing it thrive for future generations as it has done over the past 60 years.”
Cancellation is hardly an "important step" in any event's "evolution". I shall reproduce the rest of the statement as a footnote*, partly because it mentions those who have already bought tickets, but offer the sincere thought that rather more clarity's surely required on what the decision actually means - no festival in 2025 - and why it was necessary.
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire quotes Robert Dryden, a Labour councillor for the area where the festival is held (Cherry Hinton Hall grounds) and an ever-present since it began, as saying that while 2024 event lost money, the decision to cancel had come "out of the blue".
A Liberal Democrat councillor, Cheney Payne, told the BBC it was "outrageous" that the decision had been taken without wider discussion with other councillors to consider alternative options.
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Rest of today's statement: " We know how dear the Folk Festival is to so many, and the impact it has on all those working in the music industry. It is dear to us too and we are committed to using our resources this year to explore new opportunities ahead of returning in summer 2026 with a fantastic festival.
"Hearing from all of those who have supported the festival in the past will be a vital part of developing the festival for the future, as is hearing from those potential new audiences who haven’t attended before. We will be asking for feedback during 2025 and want to hear from as many people as possible.
"The organisers are committed to using all available resources to work on new initiatives and will continue to engage with followers and supporters and work closely with everyone involved in the festival.
"In the months ahead, members of the festival mailing list will be invited to share feedback and organisers will also collaborate with those involved in the festival, whether from an operational or performance perspective.
"Customers who have already purchased early bird tickets for 2025 will be contacted directly with further information.
The problem with folk festivals is that they have become very expensive. I used to go to several a year, including Cambridge, but now that's financially beyond me, and I suspect, many others
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 12, 2025 at 01:07 PM
Music festivals have changed dramatically over the last 60 years. Initially performers were making most of their money from record contracts and recordings and would tour, mostly, to promote new albums. Artists are losing money through streaming services and must make up the difference by charging more for their live performances. Additionally, fewer people are willing or able to donate their time and expertise which also increases costs for paid labor at festivals. It is a struggle to stay alive.
Posted by: Dave | March 12, 2025 at 06:47 PM