Scottish artists join a star studded line up at Cambridge Folk Festival

Some of Scotland’s top musicians will join a host of leading artists from around the world including kd lang, Joan Armatrading, Levellers and Billy Bragg, at this year’s Cambridge Folk Festival.

The Cambridge Folk Festival which runs from 31 July – 3 August is renowned for its eclectic mix of music featuring performances from traditional folk artists, contemporary acts and American country, blues and roots artists and is undoubtedly one of the UK’s most significant events for folk and acoustic music.

The Scottish Arts Council has provided support for a Scottish Showcase at this year’s festival featuring performances from established musicians alongside the rising stars of the Scottish scene. The line up includes Peatbog Faeries, Karine Polwart, Brian McNeill, Ross Ainslie & Jarlath Henderson,

The Chair, Jeana Leslie & Siobhan Miller (winners of the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Musician Award), Tom Bancroft’s Kidsamonium and Findlay Napier & The Bar Room Mountaineers.

As part of the four day event, a series of music sessions and workshops will take place for people of all ages and abilities, some of which will be led by participating Scottish artists. Karine Polwart will lead a voice/singing workshop; Jarlath Henderson will direct a flute and whistle workshop; and there will be a fiddle and song workshop for young people with Jeana Leslie and Siobhan Miller. Tom Bancroft will facilitate a workshop for young people who will work with the Kidsamonium team and a Festival Session will be hosted by Brian McNeill.

Commenting on the Scottish Showcase Ian Smith, Head of Music at the Scottish Arts Council said: ‘The Cambridge Folk festival has always been such a significant event for Scotland’s music, giving a platform to so many of our fantastic musicians, from the late great Martyn Bennett to such Cambridge favourites as Shooglenifty, Capercaillie and Blazin' Fiddles. Cambridge has always promoted emerging talent, both in the Club Tent and through the workshop programme and we are absolutely delighted to be supporting the festival in 2008.’

Eddie Barcan, Folk Festival Manager added: ‘We are very grateful for the generous support of the Scottish Arts Council, who are the first arts organisation to become official partners of Cambridge Folk Festival. For many years the wealth of talent from Scotland has been an important part of the Festival's programme. This Scottish Showcase is intended to put the spotlight on some of this brilliant music and I hope it will bring significant benefits to the artists involved.’

Notes to editors

1. The Scottish Arts Council is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) which was established by Royal Charter in 1994 and is also a Lottery distributor. The organisation serves the people of Scotland by fostering arts of excellence through investment, development, research and advocacy. Our corporate aims are: to support artists to fulfil their creative and business potential; to increase participation in the arts; and to place the arts, culture and creativity at the heart of learning. We invest £60m each year, including £15 million of National Lottery funding. For more information visit: www.scottisharts.org.uk
2. Tickets for the festival go on sale on Sunday 11 May.
3. For details of the festival line up, Scottish Showcase and to book tickets visit: www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk 

Contact email(s)

media.office@scottisharts.org.uk

Issued by: Scottish Arts Council