The Cambridge Rock Festival at Haggis Farm Polo Club, Barton (formerly a rock and beer festival) has been going for several years.
It’s a chance for beer purists, blues connoisseurs, classic rock devotees and prog-rock fanatics to share some quality time in a field. To enjoy some very fine music. And to drink some real ale.
Anyone wanting guerilla bars, dance venues, shisha lounges, chillout spaces and silent discos will be – I am afraid – very sadly disappointed. This festival is strictly for adults. They know what they want. And they want their rock music. And their beer.
The CRF has one of the best main stages we have seen at an event of this size. Enormous. That’s the word.
And this wonderful stage is housed in a large tent that could easily accommodate all the festival-goers at once – beneath its warm canvas… (And it did – this was a weekend of tropical downpours interspersed with less violent showers.)
Music every night ended at about 11:30 to Midnight. (“Out of respect for the neighbourhood”.)
To be honest, when we looked around the horizon, we could not see a single speck of civilization – so the ‘locals’ must be using powerful CIA eavesdropping surveillance equipment in order to register their annoyance at the loud ‘beat and pop music’ heard from this event. We visited on Friday 8th August.
We were told that things got under way boldly on Thursday night with four thoroughly enjoyable tribute acts. Most of the punters were in agreement that the WHO act – “Who’s Next” were exceptionally good.
On Friday morning, things kicked off with enormous gusto and energy from the Glasgow rock quintet “The Detours”. Their show was hugely generous and thoroughly lively. It was a great start to the day.
Over at the Classic Rock Society stage (prog rock) we had the good fortune to witness the great talent of Airbridge – who are back at it – after reforming in 2009 – bringing us their multi-faceted and visionary sounds and compositions.
Also special mention must be made of those Carmarthen-based prog-knights “25-Yard Screamer” – whose overwhelming instrumental dexterity simply blew us away!
We once saw Raw Glory play a tacky pub outside Staines (now torn down.) But the main stage at CRF is a more suitable place for this fabulous, hardworking rock outfit.
Raw Glory is fronted by Paul Manzi – and he has one of the best voices in rock.
And he looks the part too – part poodle – part Wolf – part runway model.
Paul has worked with proggers Pallas and Oliver Wakeman’s band – before joining Raw Glory in 2006.
Guitarist Cosmo has been working in rock since the 1960’s. Touring extensively with Heavy Metal Kids and working with everyone from Phil Lynott to Andy Fraser (Free).
The Raw Glory show was gutsy, authentic and as dirty as a piston head shafting through an overgreased cylinder.
Of course, we have long-loved the beauty and the eccentric blues kookiness of Chantel McGregor.
In fact, we first ‘discovered’ Chantel at Cambridge Rock Festival a few years back.. it was her first ever festival experience!
Snakecharmer were certainly in their rightful place – as headliners for the Friday night.
Not only have these old souls been “around the block” more than once … but they have now also delivered an amazing and critically acclaimed album. You have got to hear it!
We had a wonderful time at Cambridge.
Yes, there were moments of deluge. But the organizers had provided adequate shelter for all festival-goers.
As one punter put it “This is a day-out for grand-dads…” And we know what he meant. The average age was approx 50. And the man to woman ratio was about 30:1
The audience were respectable, respectful and fair.
And clearly everyone loved their rock. They supped their pints. They shimmied and they rolled.
It was all wonderful!
@neilmach © 2014
[All images by Neil mach]
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