With it being the Cambridge Folk Festival this forthcoming weekend, there is no better time than to 
announce the news that two of the most well-renowned Folk Festivals in the world, Newport and Cambridge, are to form a working partnership. The history behind both festivals stretches back into the 1950’s and 60’s, with acts including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, Paul Simon and many others of the folk/roots alumni having graced their stages. Here’s what Jay Sweet, executive producer of the Newport Festival, had to say about the forthcoming partnership:
“This move will allow us to share ideas, experiences and some artists from two festivals that have grown up together and in their own way played a role in shaping the folk music landscape on both sides of the Atlantic. This partnership will allow us to bring a little bit of Newport to Cambridge and vice versa.”
And here’s Steve Bagnall, Managing Director of the Cambridge Folk Festival;
“Cambridge Folk Festival has always tested the boundaries of Folk with its programme and we are excited to be working with and learning from a Festival that has the artistic heritage and ambition of Newport. Twinning with Newport will allow both Festivals to explore unique and extraordinary artistic opportunities that will excite audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.”
With the recent revival of folk music into public consciousness, a collaboration between these two festivals holds many possibilities, not least in the sharing of acts but perhaps a sharing of the culture, too.
More details of the collaboration will be revealed after this year’s events.