Cambridge Folk Festival 2018 – The Den

Cambridge Folk Festival is carrying on its long tradition of supporting rising talent with the announcement of The Den’s lineup. The Den is the festival’s space for young, up-and-coming acts, presenting the stars of tomorrow in an intimate and relaxed environment.

Cambridge Folk Festival has always had a special relationship with talent across all the stages and The Den is seen as equally important for artists and festival-goers alike. Set in a beautiful Indian marquee, the stage offers a real ‘up close and personal’ experience whereby performers can nurture their live performance skills.

Past performers have gone on to global success and can credit Cambridge as one of their big breaks. From Ward Thomas, The Staves and Passenger to The Wandering Hearts and Jake Bugg, The Den has been THE place to see the future of folk music.

Cambridge Folk Festival Operations Director Neil Jones explains the importance of The Den: “For years, folk music has been accessible to everyone and with The Den, we want to make sure that these nascent artists have a showcase in front of their fans and peers that can give them a springboard to move up the bill. We are very proud that The Den has seen some incredible people who’ve performed in the warm and appreciative environment, go on to become household names. We hope to be welcoming these artists back as festival headliners of the future!”.

THE DEN 2018 LINEUP:

Also announced for the wider Cambridge line up today is Vera Van Heeringen Trio. Highly acclaimed by her contemporaries, Vera delivers an intimate live performance, writing songs from the heart and conveying an easy warmth on stage.

Instrumentally influenced by British, American and Scandinavian folk traditions with a native East Anglian twist The Shackleton Trio bring an exciting blend of Americana and folk to the stage and are set to make a triumphant return to Cambridge this summer.

Nominees for BBC Radio 2’s Young Folk Award, Granny’s Attic play a range of traditional English, Irish and Scottish music. An exceptional trio of musicians, the band have been praised for maturity beyond their years in their performance of traditional songs.

AK Patterson’s unique vocal style lies at the heart of her performance. With influences from a jazz-centric household and artists including Bjork, Jeff Buckley and Ella Fitzgerald, she’s carved her own distinctive performance style. She and her bandmates, Alfie Weedon and Nat Reading will wow audiences at this year’s Folk Festival.

Critics’ favourites First Aid Kit are Friday’s headliner, Saturday’s headliner is the iconic Patti Smith and her band and Sunday’s is the legendary John Prine who wraps up what is set to be an unforgettable weekend. Tickets on sale at www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk

Already Announced: AK Patterson, Amythyst Kiah, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Birds of Chicago, Brian McNeill, Brighde Chaimbeul, Damien O’Kane and Ron Block, Daoirí Farrell, Darlingside, Darren Eedens & The Slim Pickin’s, Drever, McCusker and Woomble, Edgelarks, Elephant Sessions, Eliza Carthy & Saul Rose, Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band, Eric Bibb, First Aid Kit, Granny’s Attic, Gordie Mackeeman and His Rhythm Boys, Grace Petrie, Honeyfeet, Irish Mythen, Janis Ian, John Moreland, John Prine, John Smith Trio, Kaia Kater, Kate Rusby & Friends, Kinnaris Quintet, Luke Daniels, Mark Lang, Marlon Williams, Moore, Moss and Rutter, Morganway, Patti Smith, Peatbog Faeries, Peggy Seeger, Peter Buckley Hill, Pierce Brothers, Punk Floyd, Rhiannon Giddens, Robert Vincent, Rosanne Cash, Songhoy Blues, St Paul & The Broken Bones, Stick in the Wheel, Swamptruck, Tamikrest, The East Pointers, The National Youth Folk Ensemble, The Poozies, The Shackelton Trio,The Shee, Vera Van Heeringen Trio, Vishten, Whiskey Shivers, William Crighton, Yola Carter