Van Morrison make his debut at Cambridge Folk Festival 2014

The legendary Van Morrison will make his debut at Cambridge Folk Festival this year, as headliner for its 50th anniversary. With one of the most revered catalogues in music history and unparalleled talents as a composer, singer and performer, his Sunday set is sure to be a fitting finale to the celebrations. In another Festival first, internationally renowned singer-songwriter and activist Sinéad O’Connor, famed for her captivating stage presence and stunning vocal range, will be headlining Friday night.

Other initial names announced to give a flavour of 2014’s line-up are: Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Sun), celebrating over fifty years of their uplifting South African gospel influenced a cappella music; folk-rock royalty Richard Thompson (Fri), one of the world’s most critically acclaimed guitarists and songwriters; US singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash (Sat), following the release of career defining album ‘The River and The Thread’; global beat pioneers Afro Celt Sound System (Fri), fusing West African rhythms, Irish traditional music, cutting-edge dance grooves, Indian bhangra, Arabic influences, dub reggae, and more; US singer-songwriter and Festival favourite Loudon Wainwright III (Sat); a rare festival appearance from The Full English (Sat), featuring Fay Hield, Seth Lakeman, Martin Simpson, Nancy Kerr, Sam Sweeney, Rob Harbron and Ben Nicholls performing seminal early 20th century folksong; Multi-award winning Irish folk singer Cara Dillon (Fri); Pokey LaFarge (Thurs/Fri), playing a creative mix of early jazz, string ragtime, country blues and western swing; influential American folk singer Peggy Seeger (Fri), who played the very first Festival; critically acclaimed US singer-songwriter and former member of Drive By Truckers, Jason Isbell (Sun); leading traditional Irish music group Lúnasa (Sat/Sun); Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita (Thurs), a unique collaboration of classical harpist Finch and kora player Keita, exploring the traditions of Wales and Senegal; young American singer-songwriter and instrumental virtuoso Sarah Jarosz (Sat/Sun).

See the Festival website www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk for more information and tickets. More artists to be announced.

BBC Radio 2 has announced that the Cambridge Folk Festival is the recipient of the Good Tradition Award at this year’s Folk Awards. This award is given to a person, group or organisation for their contribution to the preservation, dissemination and continuance/progression of traditional music over a number of years.

Held annually in a beautiful tree lined park in Cambridge, the four-day outdoor Festival is considered one of the world’s most prestigious.

Having started life in 1965, the 14,000 capacity Festival showcases both international headline artists and young, emerging talent across four different stages and continues to enjoy sell-out success year on year. Renowned for its unique parkland setting, great facilities and family friendliness, the Festival offers something for everyone with street theatre, music workshops and sessions, raucous ceilidhs, open stages, a youth area, internet café, kids’ ceilidh, storytelling, free creche, paddling pool and playground, real ale bars.

Festival Manager Eddie Barcan said ‘We intend to celebrate 50 years of amazing music and great times in style this coming summer and look forward to welcoming everyone to Cambridge in July’.

Tickets: Full Festival £138; Thursday £21; Friday £50; Saturday £60; Sunday £60. Camping: (Full Festival tickets only, per 2-3 berth tent) Cherry Hinton £56, Coldham’s Common (second site) £38.  Tickets subject to booking fee.

www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk